How to Work With a Virtual Assistant – Successfully

Once you have found a great Virtual Assistant, what do you need to know to ensure that your new partnership gets off to a good start?

If it seems like the world is spinning faster, that there are more demands on your time, and your daily schedule is more jam-packed than ever, take comfort - you're not alone.  Computers were supposed to make our lives easier and reduce paperwork yet somehow we've all become so much busier than ever.  If only we could learn to multitask more efficiently, or clone ourselves, or something!

And there it is.  The answer, the something you've been looking for - a Virtual Assistant.  That computer of yours can help make your life easier after all, by connecting you to your Virtual Assistant.

Step 1.  Choose a Virtual Assistant that you will enjoy working with, someone who has the skill set to fit your needs.  Do you need a Virtual Assistant who specializes in real estate, paralegal, or travel?  Are you looking for someone to set up your shopping cart and autoresponders?

Step 2.  Have a business plan and defined goals.  Take some time to share this information with your new Virtual Assistant.  The more your assistant learns about your business, your target market, the services you provide, current projects you're working on and the like, the greater benefit she will be to your business.

Step 3.  Plan to communicate.  Although most of the time you will be using email to manage projects and tasks, sometimes even IMing, it's a good idea to have a weekly phone call.  This personal connection happens naturally in the "brick and mortar" office and is just as important, if not more so, in the "virtual" office.  Discussing current and future projects or perhaps doing some brainstorming will keep goals on track and help to avoid misunderstandings.   Taking the time for a phone call allows your personality to shine.  Remember that while the office space is virtual, the people are real.

Step 4.  Working with your Virtual Assistant, you can prioritize your cluttered "To Do" list.  You can delegate tasks to your VA, complete projects that have been accumulating dust, and stop sweating the details.

Step 5.  Just think of all the hours you could capture for revenue-generating activities.  All of the calm, clear-headed energy you could focus on your business.  You will be congratulating yourself for making a brilliant hiring decision!

Need some ideas on how you can work with a Virtual Assistant?  Visit my website www.VickiVannoy.com.