subject: Working with your Virtual Assistant [print this page] Working with your Virtual Assistant Working with your Virtual Assistant
Working with your Virtual Assistant
Having a Virtual Assistant would really makes your job easy. To make it more easier, here some tips you can apply.
Your needs - Why did you hire a Virtual Assistant? What is main purpose of hiring? What is the important task you need to start?
Instructions - The very accurate way of giving instructions would be through email. In this way, you can track back if something went wrong. Well, you can also give instructions through phone or chat, your Virtual assistant should be good in taking down notes and will email back you the minutes of the conversation. Phone and chat would be great for task clarifications, that would be the easiest and fastest way to ask some important information. You can also look for some tools for more organized task management.
Clarity - You being the client should provide your Virtual Assistant a clear and detailed information about the task. For example, if you want your VA to send email to your contacts, give your VA an email access, provide the complete lists that includes complete name, contacts like email and phone numbers, company name and other important notes about the contacts. So that, the next time you will ask to do the same task, your VA has the list and this will lessen misunderstanding and mistakes on the task.
Background - Getting to know the background of your Virtual Assistant could be more helpful for other task. If you know which your VA specializes in and other skills then you know how you can gain more from her expertise. If you want a task that he is not familiar with, you can ask to get trained on it.
Objectives - It is important to treat your Virtual Assistant very nice and make him feel trusted. So, the relationship could be mutual. If you have an objective, you can have a simple talk to him and share your objectives, in this way, he can relate and move to the same path through your goals. He might give some inputs or ideas to help reach the goal or task successfully.
Itemizing Tasks - It is highly recommended to send the tasks in bullet or arrange by numbers than sending a long paragraph. Yo can also send tasks for the week to lessen too much email. Or you can also send a daily task. Indicate also the deadline of each task.
Work Schedules - Most of Virtual Assistants work in different time zone. If that is the case, from the start should give your certain time plan indicating what time you preferred him to work for you. Then if you have important task to be done immediately, you can call him or text so that he can attend to it right away.
Feedback - Acknowledge the receipt of the accomplished tasks. If your VA finished the task correctly and on time, commend him. Good job, isn't that long to type or say and that would boost his confidence and energy to do for other tasks. She will surely appreciate the comment and might give some suggestions on how he or you can further improve the service. Keep in touch - If you will be in a meeting or out of town or vacation, you should leave a contact where your VA can contact you for IMPORTANT inquiries. This will help the given task flow and finish on the required deadline.
