As you expand your practice virtually you may find yourself spending countless hours trying to figure out tasks someone else could do in half the time or less. You may need to step back and ask – Do you want to spend hours trying to learn a new computer related task or would your time be better spent working with clients (and generating income)?
More often than not it’s wiser to delegate these tasks to someone who knows what they are doing. This saves you frustration, wasted hours, and lost income.
However, you don’t need to hire an employee, you just need a good virtual assistant you can rely on.
Where can you find a virtual assistant?
You have unlimited options for locating a virtual assistant. What’s can be tricky is finding the right fir for you. Here are places you can start:
- Google – Not my first choice, but a great place to do a little research first, so you have a feel for the type of services different VA’s can complete for you.
- Elance – If cost is the deciding factor for you, elance tends to be a good source for lower cost virtual assistance and you can view past client comments.
- AssistU – A training program for virtual assistants that includes a virtual assistant directory.
- Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce – An entire network of virtual assistants.
- Social Media – That’s right, put out a tweet about what you are looking for and you’ll likely get many responses.
- Word of Mouth Referrals – This is my top choice and the most successful from my experience. I’ve built a team of virtual assistance and every team member was referred to me by someone I know. If you belong to networking groups I recommend asking other members for referrals.
Don’t want to hunt for a virtual assistant?
That’s where I can help you. I’m an online business manager, which means I already have a team of VA’s in place and delegate tasks accordingly. You never have to worry about trying to find the right person for a task or make sure they complete the task appropriately and on schedule. . . I handle that for you.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson
Thank you for this article. I had just finished posting the following notice, when I saw your post.
My new book and coaching program will be launched world-wide in April 2011. I am in the process of attracting a virtual assistant/event coordinator to support me in addressing all the opportunities that coming to me as a result.
The qualities and talents of this person are:
Addresses their own needs before taking care of the needs of others
Enjoys life and all that it brings each day
Brings enthusiasm to all they do
Maintains a positive attitude
Utilizes The 4 Agreements in their interactions with others
Is intent on achieving a B-All of their own which is in alignment with my B-All
Is known for being an organized person
Pays attention to the details of all projects
Proficient in the use of social media — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, etc.
Enjoys co-creating projects with me
Enjoys being pro-active in initiating contact with others and in following-up on details
Is a creative idea generator
Is thriving in their personal life
Is known for being a kind and considerate person
Is always trustworthy
Keeps information confidential when asked to do so
Provides their services via commission and/or trade for my services
I look forward to receiving replies from everyone who feels these qualities describe them. Please send me a private message here on LinkedIN.
Hello Ms Stacy Hall
A Virtual Assistant can help you with moving your business forward. My VA firm do more than just typing, plus that’s our tag line. I stop thinking of my firm as only providing administrative assistant, but I provide Business assistance to my clients whatever it is. I enjoy this type of work, it keeps my brains working and I am always studying something new.
I love it when a new software program is introduce, and I start working it into my arsenals of programs, it makes my job easier and I accomplish more in the time that’s render to me in my clients retainer.
I work with Coaches, Consultants, Private Investigators, Lawyers, Authors, Investors, Bankers, Entrepreneurs, Solo-preneurs etc….. I am now also studying to become a Private Investigator because of my Law Enforcement background, I am a retired NYPD Officer.
Keep looking you’ll find your prefect Virtual Assistant.
Phyllis L Jackson
CEO/Founder
Uniquely40, LLC
Great article. I agree a quick google search is best. There are lots of companies out there, it’s best to do your homework. There’s a website called VirtualAssistantAssistant.com that helps rate several of the companies. That’s what I used when I picked Red Butler as my virtual assistant service, they’ve been amazing thus far.