Finding a Virtual Assistant should involve more than just a quick Google search and selecting the one with the cheapest rates. If you’re thinking of outsourcing, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the most value for money, and the best investment for your business. And that means choosing the right VA for you. Someone with the right skills, experience and industry knowledge to complete work to your expected standards. An assistant who is aligned with your core business values and who understands your goals and the bigger picture.
Choosing the right VA for you will result in high-quality work and a successful working relationship that brings a range of benefits for you and your business. But how do you go about finding a Virtual Assistant who is the right fit for you?
Here are some steps to help you choose the right VA for you.
Determine your needs
Before you start looking for a VA, determine what tasks you need help with. Make a list of tasks that you want to delegate, and consider the skills and experience required to perform those tasks. Think of the areas where you bring the most value to your business, and where you are just a pair of hands. You can start by outsourcing the tasks that simply require a pair of hands, to help you free up time and focus on the more important aspects of running your business. What specific skills, expertise, experience and industry knowledge are required to complete these tasks? Do you need a VA with specific industry experience or skills? Make a list of requirements (required and desirable) for your VA. This will help you to begin your search for the right VA.
Define your budget
Set a budget for how much you are willing to spend on a VA. Remember to factor in the level of experience and expertise that you require, and the quality of work you expect to receive. Also, consider your expectations in terms of communication. If you’re looking for a VA who is a fantastic communicator and will be client-facing, your budget might look quite different from someone who is just looking for some support with basic research tasks.
Remember, a VA is an investment. You will gain more time, get more done, and be able to focus on the wider goals of your business. The right VA will also bring additional insight and ideas to your business and may be able to offer skills that go beyond your own in certain areas. The right VA for you will bring value, exceed expectations and be very much worth the investment.
Research
Research different VA services, outsourcing companies, and individual VAs. Do your due diligence. When it comes to outsourcing, there is always an element of trust, particularly with remote working. Having said that, with outsourcing comes great power, and there are many VAs out there who excel in what they do, are highly-skilled specialists in their field, and have the same level of work ethic as you probably do. The right VA should give you the peace of mind that they will be proactive, deliver great quality work, meet deadlines and put in the effort for you and your business.
Reading reviews is a good place to start. Many VAs are active on LinkedIn, and have recommendations on their profile from real clients. This can be a great way to gauge a sense of their reputation and the type of clients they work with. You can also check their websites to determine if they have the skills and experience you require.
Once you’ve shortlisted some VAs who you think could potentially be a great fit for you, book a discovery call to meet with them. This is a great opportunity for them to find out more about you and your business, and the type of support you’re looking for, but also for you to get a feel for them and make a judgement as to whether you think they’d be right for you.
Check availability
Make sure the VA you choose has the availability to work the hours you need and can accommodate any time zone differences. During your discovery call, you should check that they have the capacity to carry out the work you require, with potential for growth if required. This is particularly important if you choose to work with an individual, freelance VA.
If you choose to use a outsourcing company, such as The Virtual Assistant Company, you’ll have the peace of mind that in the event your VA does meet your needs or have the availability to carry out the required work, you will be matched with a replacement VA and the company will support with any training or onboarding that is required.
By following these steps, you’ll soon be on track to finding a Virtual Assistant who is the right fit for you, your needs, and your business, so that you can outsource successfully and delegate tasks with confidence.
Do you need help finding a Virtual Assistant who’s right for you? Book a 1:1 with one of our outsourcing specialists who will be happy to help you.
Once you have found the right VA for you, you might be interested in our free VA Onboarding Guide, to help you get your VA onboarded efficiently.
