I have a Virtual Assistant. (I am so grateful!) Some skills I just do not have, and quite frankly do not want to learn. Doing some of the onerous tasks takes me at least twice as long and I don't do them as well. Besides, I just don't like to do a lot of the detail work.
I consider what is the highest and best use of my time right now. So, I always look at what do I need to do and what can I delegate to my VA. That is a vital concept, hard to implement especially for a real estate agent.
- Many agents dismiss the idea thinking - I'd love to delegate- but, to whom?!?
- Many agents don't know what their time is worth, so they don't realize how much money they are losing when they drive over to fill the flyer boxes rather than have a kid do it.
- Many agents get buried in the details, so they can procrastinate doing some of the things they know they need to do, but don't want to do - like call a seller to discuss another price reduction.
With a Virtual Assistant you can offload some of the things that take you too much time and you are not efficient at. That will leave you the opportunity to focus on the business building and money making activities. Having a personal assistant is a great thing.
A Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor, like you are. You can pay them by the job, and you don't have the hassles of time sheets, benefits or taxes. You don't have to worry about not having enough for them to do in a slower market. They also can help you with some smart marketing (online, websites, eFlyers, etc.).
Last but not least, your VA can help keep you accountable. You have a certain amount of deliverables due in order for them to accomplish your work in a timely manner. You simply have to get it done- on time. And, if you have a wonderful VA, they may even gently nag you to help you get it done on time.
Thank you, Tracie! Tracie Mason Holton is my VA. www.AgentAssistantNetwork.com
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