Why You Should Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Every small business owner reaches a point in which the demands of the business have become too extensive for current employees. Business owners who are responsible for daily processes feel the effects much sooner; growing a business means learning to appropriately delegate certain tasks as your company expands. Regardless of industry, business owners in various stages of company expansion have found hiring virtual assistants can transform productivity. If you’re looking for a cost-efficient way to handle the rising responsibilities of your position and need to budget your time better, consider hiring one of these helpful employees and follow these essential steps.
List Out Your Tasks
Before hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to take the time to track exactly what it is you’re responsible for and what you need help with. Track each menial task that arises in a regular work day, no matter how small. From administrative tasks to overarching management duties, lay it all out. This will give you a more comprehensive view of your task load as it stands—you’ll likely be surprised by how much you’re responsible for. Decreasing your workload can leave you better capable of handling the larger challenges that require more care and expertise.
photo/ Gerd Altmann via pixabay
Delegate the Little Things First
Most business owners start with a single virtual assistant for a specified set of tasks. Virtual assistants, depending on skillset, can be helpful in a variety of mediums. Whether you’re looking for an assistant to handle payroll issues, bookkeeping opportunities, or social media management, you can find a qualified individual to take the load off your shoulders. Some of these roles may involve administrative tasks you just don’t have the time for, while others may be centered on topics and tasks you’re not experienced in. Just a few of the responsibilities virtual assistants can tackle include:
Social Media Management: In 2017, we shouldn’t have to explain the importance of maintaining a strong business social media presence. Instead of spending your time crafting Facebook posts and firing off last-minute Tweets, consider hiring a virtual assistant that can take over all of your social media channels for a streamlined and cohesive online presence. Hiring a social media virtual assistant for just a couple of hours a week can completely transform your social media efforts and save you a significant chunk of time and worry.
Developers: Have a small development project but a small budget? Make it easy by hiring a virtual assistant skilled in web development. The great thing about these hires comes in their flexibility; you can find individuals with the right skillset at budget-friendly prices. Once the project is over, so is your contract. No strings makes for an easy and quick way to handle those last-minute projects that pop up.
Bookkeeping: No small business can remain successful without clear records. Virtual assistants skilled in bookkeeping can save you the frustration of pouring over your company ledgers. The right assistant can track bills, handle any invoicing problems, and ensure employee payroll is distributed correctly to keep you out of hot water with the government. Handing off bookkeeping means handing off a great deal of financial stress: bills will always be paid on time, and a finance expert is bound to reduce the amount of mistakes made in business transactions and record-keeping.
How to Find Virtual Assistants
Hiring virtual assistants is relatively easy, but be sure to take precautions and follow best hiring practices to ensure you place the right candidate. Ask around, and use networking connections to your advantage. Industry peers may have insight or advice on hiring virtual assistants, and you can take their experiences into account to ensure you make the most of the hire. Referrals tend to be the most successful route of finding qualified professional assistants, but outsourcing sites like Remote.com offer quick opportunity and a plethora of experienced candidates. If you do decide to post a listing on an outsourcing site, be sure to detail all the specifics of the duty. This will help you filter out unqualified candidates and expedite the hiring process.
Hiring a virtual assistant can transform your business practices and make expansion a reality much sooner than you might have expected. Keep these strategies in mind and make a fantastic hire that will streamline your daily workflow and output.
Author: Zainab Sheikh
photo/ Gerd Altmann via pixabay
