What Do You Need To Know When Hiring A Virtual Assistant?

Have more than what you can handle at workplace

? But still not ready to hire new staff?

If this sounds familiar to you... Then its time you consider hiring Virtual Assistance!

Small businesses and start-ups typically have to cope up with a lot of paper work and administrative tasks which sometimes take toll on the more important tasks like completing projects, following deadlines, making deliverables and so on. And the financial budgets of these companies seldom permit them to bring in more employees. Fortunately, the Internet age has provided easy alternatives to hiring full-time employees Virtual Assistant Services.

Virtual Assistant professionals can provide a wide range of services including administrative tasks such as clerical work, correspondence, and making travel arrangements and complex business processes such as online marketing, strategizing and so on. However, the key to successful client-assistant arrangements is having a great relationship with your VA.

Here are some things that you should keep in mind while working with a virtual assistant:

Be Clear about the Time Commitments

Virtual assistants deliver their services through the internet without being physically present at your office premises. While some VAs work on a fee-for-project basis, where they agree to deliver a project by a set deadline... others work on hourly basis, thus charging you only for the amount of time dedicated to your project. There are still some VAs who prefer a monthly retainer for ongoing work.

When you start working with a VA, be very clear about the time commitment or better still, agree on the model from the start itself. This will help you understand when your VA will be available and what amount of work can you expect from them.

Be Ready to Pay

Even though virtual assistance is considered a cost effective option compared to hiring full time employees, don't expect it to be free-of-cost. Remember, they are skilled professionals offering their service to you. If you hire VAs from countries like U.S. or UK, be prepared to shell out an average of $25 per hour. However, if you move to offshore countries like India, you can get professional virtual assistant services for rates as low as $10. All you need to do is hire an experienced VA who can do justice to your requirements and you can cut your overhead costs dramatically.

Look for Skills & Specialization

In addition to cost-effectiveness, look for a VA who has ample experience of the industry and expertise of completing the kind of tasks and activities that you wish to outsource. There are VAs who are specially trained and certified to work with say real estate, insurance or accounting arenas.

Check your VA before Hiring

The interview process is very critical in hiring the VA. This is when you can gauge the potential of your prospective VA. In addition to asking them about their credentials, don't forget to check references with current and former clients.

Your virtual assistant is a partner in your business and this is why you need to create a strategic relationship with them. After all a sound relationship between both the parties is the key to successful outcomes.

by: Maneet Puri

POST COMMENT

Hiring A Good General Contractor There are Easier Ways To Look Up a Person's Caller ID Than Hiring a Private Detective Benefits of hiring Naperville cpa Questions to Ask While Hiring Builders Raleigh HELP WANTED - Now Hiring! Hiring a Limousine For an Elegant Bridal Arrival Overland Park Roofers|free Buyers Guide To Hiring A Great Roofer Hiring a Landscaping Contractor in Raleigh Take Away Your Fears Just By Hiring A Reputed Roof Contractor Los Angeles Hiring A Handyman Increases Your Property Value 10 things you should know before hiring a pavers contractor A Peek Into Hiring A Realtor The Best Woodlands Pool Builders - Top Insider Questions To Ask Before Hiring