There is no doubt the best kept secret is out – working with a virtual assistant (VA) is now the most cost effective, quick, and efficient way to free up your time. If you’re constantly faced with recurring tasks that are sucking up the time in your day, chances are you need to look at hiring a VA. Your time is best utilized, focusing what drives your business forward.

Here are some tips for working with a VA for the first time.
1.Be realistic about your request. You and your VA are learning to work with each other. Start with one task at a time. This makes the working relationship and transition smoother.

2.There is no doubt that having a VA is a time saver for you. Leverage your time wisely make sure your getting the most out of your free time by being productive yourself.

3.Give clear directions, don’t assume they know anything about your request. As Henry Winkler once said “Assumptions are the termites of relationships”. He couldn’t have been more right about that. Spend the time to be clear and concise.

4.Work on building your trust level with your VA. Don’t micromanage their tasks. If your spending time micromanaging, how is hiring a VA beneficial? Learn to let go, they were hired to bring you solutions not problems.

5.Be realistic about the allotted time and deadline your providing for a task to be completed. Asking your VA to complete a task in the next hour is not realistic, unless you have cleared that with them already. Allow them enough time to learn a new skill if needed. Once they have done it once, it won’t take as long the next time they perform that task.

6.Have an open and clear relationship with your VA. Work out a way that you can communicate with them the quickest. Sometimes this is a phone call, text, or email.

7.Your VA is a subcontractor who is operating their own business as well. Provide payment to them on time. You want them to be focused your tasks, not the fact that you haven’t paid them.

8.Make sure your procedures are repeatable and don’t have constant changes involved. This takes up a lot of your time and their time. Have a process set, and move forward.

9.Respect your VA they are more than just your assistant. They are someone you rely on, and they rely on you as well. Treat them as part of the team, an important part of the team.

10.Give credit where credit is due. Providing positive feedback to them is encouraging. Working with someone that you’ll never meet face to face has enough challenges. Give them feedback even when something is wrong, but remember to also mention what they have done well for you. We are all human and we all like to be recognized.

Remember you are working as a team, you are helping them and they are helping you. Treat them with respect and confidence. Provide them with opportunities to learn and grow, just as you would as a business owner. Be sure to put your energy and efforts into a VA that is supporting you the way you need to be supported. After 30 days of working with a VA you should have a good idea of your working relationship.
Written By: Jennifer Payton / Owner of JD Solutions LLC / Virtual Assistant / https://jdsolutionsllc.wordpress.com/