The most common question most company owners have regarding virtual assistants is, “How much will this cost me?” Unfortunately, focusing only on their immediate bottom line may often end up costing companies more in the long term. Before embarking on the arduous task of finding your first (or maybe simply your next) virtual assistant, make sure you’re not making any of the frequent expensive errors.
The first blunder is that your company isn’t ready.
Unfortunately, this is the most common blunder in the industry. So many customers make the choice to hire a virtual assistant without first doing any study or preparation. Assigning the virtual assistant’s duties, or the tasks you think you should be doing, rather than the ones you should be doing, is a direct consequence of this blunder. You’re not ready yet if you’re stumped as to how to describe a task to a virtual assistant (or anybody else for that matter). To properly prepare oneself, you should be aware of the following:
• what must be appointed• how it must be accomplished• how to effectively describe the procedures
Mistake #2: You haven’t conducted any interviews.
It’s not proper to send an email with your requests and then have a lengthy discussion with the first person who replies. Regardless, many company owners are doing just that. Entrepreneurs should think twice about hiring the first virtual assistant they talk with. There should never be a point when the quest comes to a halt. Remember to schedule interviews (with well-thought-out questions), verify references, and do enough research to guarantee the candidate has the abilities required for your company’s requirements.
Mistake #3: You hired the incorrect virtual assistant.
Too many entrepreneurs have been victims of employing the incorrect individual for the position as a result of the previously mentioned error. With so many various types of virtual assistants available these days, there are a lot of diverse skill sets to choose from. To avoid making this error, make a list of your requirements and assign the appropriate virtual assistant to meet them.
Mistake #4: You lack management skills.
The majority of hardworking entrepreneurs built their companies on a foundation of enthusiasm. Passion, when combined with dedication and effort, leads to success. Regardless, the moment has come to seek assistance. While this seems to be a simple process, it may be difficult for many company owners who lack business degrees or administrative expertise. These folks must understand that a successful team of unconditional support cannot be well-established unless they understand how to handle such people.
5: You’re a terrible communicator.
Avoiding this misunderstanding boils down to one thing: communication. Consider any of your personal connections, and you’ll quickly see the importance of effective communication. Your connection with your virtual assistant is no different. So figure out what communication format works best for the two of you and stick to it. The complete collapse of active communication is one of the main reasons of failed client–virtual assistant interactions.
