Hiring a VA is not as straightforward as it initially seems. A lot of the work you need them to do is often work that nobody else can do – things that rely on information or judgment that can only come from you. It’s always been easier just to do it yourself than to try to train and supervise someone else, and deal with their inevitable mistakes.
It’s important to think this through so that when your new VA is sitting on the introductory Zoom call, pen in hand, with an expectant look on their face, you will be prepared.
What exactly do you need them to do, and do they have the resources and tools to be able to do it? A good VA will bring skills and expectations, but they will also have questions for you about your business needs.
- What tasks do you need help with? How should I prioritize them?
- What platforms, skills and knowledge do I need? Where can I find and access these things?
- Do you have any processes, templates etc that I could look at? Are they up to date?
- What do I do if I have a question?
- Are there any other problems I can help you with that we haven’t talked about yet?
If you have some answers for these questions – congratulations! That is a great first step, and sets the foundation for a productive working relationship. But if you don’t have answers, except that you know you need help, then you’ve come to the right place. I have a lot of experience asking and answering questions like these, so please reach out for a conversation about how I can put my experience to work for you.