💪 HOT TIPS
Ok, so you've been working away to build and optimise a sales and marketing model that works for your business. And you're getting results! Awesome.
The problem is, you're now finding you're so busy working IN the business you can't work ON the business. You're so busy managing social media ads, content, admin and so on that you can't find time to develop the new programs, products and partnerships you need to scale and increase your income.
You think, "There has to be an easier way!" and there is.
You need to look at your business activity and automate, delegate or eliminate some tasks.
The good news is you can delegate tasks straight to a Virtual Assistant or VA.
A Virtual Assistant is a skilled professional who works as a remote contractor on your business. A lot of today's quality Virtual Assistants have worked in the commercial sector and left to start their own business with more flexibility and better working conditions.
This is a win-win because you now have access to great talent without the overheads!
But lots of people don't know where to start. So, here are some tips I recently provided to one of our clients:
1. Document the tasks and step by step processes that you are currently doing (if it's not a standard process like posting to Facebook).
2. Write down specifically what tasks you want your VA to take over and what results you expect them to achieve.
3. Make sure they have everything they need to do a good, efficient job for you. Pull together e.g. any marketing assets and passwords they will need and put them in a cloud file like a shared Dropbox that's easily accessed and updated.
4. To find your VA, you can try platforms like Virtually Yours, Upwork and AirTasker. You can also try community noticeboards on Facebook.
Remember, there are many types of VAs out there at different rates ($30-80 per hour depending on the skills) and it can be a case of you get what you pay for. This is why I typically do not recommend hiring low-skilled offshore VAs at $5 per hour - unless you love to spend all your time training and managing quality! Most of my clients don't have time for that. So instead, I recommend you look for someone with solid skills and experience plus good reviews who you vibe well with.
5. Give them a clear brief about your dream and vision for your business, where you're going and how they will help you get there. Explain clearly what you need and agree on costs. It can be most effective to pay on deliverables (eg per newsletter), not on time.
6. Agree on how you will communicate, manage the process and measure results moving forward.
Some extra tips!
Remember that meeting times etc are all chargeable time as it's part of their service and business model.
Remember to give your VA some notice when you want to change up what you are doing. They have a lot to juggle.
Remember there might be some teething issues to begin and to be patient through the onboarding process until you understand each other and have a well oiled machine.
Remember to give them clear feedback about what's working (or sometimes not working) so they can improve where needed and feel valued and appreciated as part of your team.
So I hope that helps you find a fabulous VA that adds more firepower to your team and helps you scale.
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed growing your company and need help to create your plan, you can always get in touch and we'll help you map it out.
Amanda Blennerhassett is a multi national award-winning Brand, Marketing and Business Growth Strategist.
She works with innovators, thought leaders and disruptors to help them cut through their competition, build brands with wow factor and grow their businesses.