7 Signs to Know You're Ready to Hire a Virtual Assistant

Many times, entrepreneurs/solopreneurs jump at the opportunity to hire a Virtual Assistant without realizing that Virtual Assistants are entrepreneurs as well.  Most individuals misconstrue this profession by categorizing Virtual Assistants as their employee...when that is not the case.  A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent contractor who provides business support services to clients while operating from a virtual office, usually their home office, by using technology such as laptops, cell phones, and internet access.  Because a VA works offsite, the client doesn’t need to provide a work-space or other office equipment.  Typically business owners outsource specific tasks to VAs to assist with managing certain aspects of their business on a contractual basis. The duration of the contract is at the discretion of the client, but needs to be within the guidelines of the VA.  Because Virtual Assistants are contractors, a business does not have to provide the same benefits that it would for a full-time employee. 

The specific duties of a VA vary according to the needs of the client and the terms of the contract. Some VAs handle clerical and bookkeeping duties, while others may post regular updates to social media or write articles for a blog. A well-rounded VA may also handle travel arrangements, appointment scheduling, data entry and online file storage.

Want to know if you’re ready to work with a Virtual Assistant for your business?  Below is a brief checklist you can use to decide your readiness to hire a VA:

1. Do you have specific tasks that you need help with to optimize your business?
2. Is there some area of activity you’d really want to include in your business, but don’t have the time to do it yourself (like finding leads or specific marketing tasks)?
3. Are certain tasks starting to fall through the cracks?
4. Are you overwhelmed with administrative tasks?
5. Is hiring a Virtual Assistant within your budget? Do you have $700+ to spare a month on a VA (full-time/20 hrs a month) or $200+ (part-time/5 hrs a month)?
6. Do you need more time to focus on the profit making aspects of your business?
7. Is your business growing?

If you are a business owner and you answered “YES” to the questions listed above, then you’re ready to work with a Virtual Assistant for your business.