The internet has provided the world with a wealth of new business opportunities. More and more people are working remotely, or simply working for themselves. Websites like associated content pay writers working from home (or the coffee shop), while websites like guru.com connect employers with remote contractors. Need a freelancer to design your company logo, program your flash game, or give you legal advice? It can be done legally and cheaply if you become savvy with freelancing websites. Similarly there are many websites that offer virtual assistants who will complete various tasks that you find too difficult or time-consuming.
Hiring a virtual employee may seem intimidating, but it is not. If you think about it, you hire employees more often than you might think in your everyday life. Your restaurant waitress is working for your tips. Any contractor you hire to do a simple repair on your house is receiving your money and providing a service. These working relationships are not intimidating: you clearly state what you want from your ’employee’, realize the value that you are getting from them (they make your life pleasant and/or perform a service you cannot), treat your ’employee’ like a human being, and hopefully get the results you want. Otherwise you ‘fire’ them (sit at a different booth if your waitress does not please you or hire a different plumber). You do this kind of thing all the time.
Similarly, a virtual assistant is paid to do the tasks that you could not do or would prefer not to do. For example: what if the 1-week vacation you spend all year planning becomes so stressful that you feel like you need a vacation? You could spend all sorts of time planning your vacation, determining where to go, how much to spend, and pull your hair out chasing elusive airfare deals. Or, you could hire a domestic or international virtual assistant. Virtual assistants, or VAs can cost about $4-20 per hour, and may be self educated or MBAs! Determine specifically what you want (eg. find and book cheapest flights to Chicago for under $100) You go to one of many virtual assistant services, and request an assistant who will fit your needs.
If you utilize a virtual assistant correctly, they may end up saving you money, or at least being worth more than the price you pay for them. However, you must be specific, define goals, and communicate clearly. If your assistant spends 10 hours and comes up with a flight that is $20 cheaper than you would have, then you wasted your money. When you assign a task to your assistant, make sure your expectations are clear. Ask them if they understand what they will be doing, and ask them to repeat it back to you in their own words. Just like you always make sure your waitress understands exactly what you want before they leave the table, make sure you have communicated clearly with your assistant. Give them a time frame for completion, and ask for updates before the deadline to make sure your task is on target.
There are so many things a virtual assistant can do for you. Some are strictly professional, and can do research, create graphs and reports, and schedule meetings and interviews. Others are strictly personal, and can handle social functions, or order presents for your friends. They can save you stress, and free up your time. Plus, as they are your full time employees, you do not pay their insurance or benefits. This is why many small businesses use virtual assistants.
Reference:
- http”//www.iova.com
- http”//www.elance.com
- http”//www.bskcorp.com
