How to find and use a Virtual Assistant to get ahead
2011/02/02 12:18 PM
So last weeks post inspired me. I loved hearing what people disliked doing in their business and how they handled it. The #1 way to handle their "icky tasks" was to outsource them…….which lead me to this post. It seemed to me that almost everyone was using a Virtual Assistant (VA) to help with the things they disliked as well as things that are best left to an assistant. VA's are a great choice for more than just the "having an assistant part" – you pay them on a 1099 as contract labor, instead of a W2, so you avoid payroll taxes making your dollars go further and their employment time longer! Win win for both parties.
Beside the tax benefits, (of course) are the benefits of having more time to concentrate on the things that only you can do in your business that bring in the money! I reached out to my experts to find out how they use their VA's and where they found them so you can bring one on board to help you out this year.
If you are not sure what an assistant can do for you…….make a list of all the things you do each day for a week and then put the things that ONLY you can do in one column and try to outsource the rest!
Related posts
There are 27 comments
Kenny says:Great uses of virtual assistants.
I have had a couple over the last couple of years. I have found them through online outsourcing marketplaces. For example, the top 3 I use are on this list: http://www.essistme.com/?outsourcing
The key is to be as specific as possible, set time limits for tasks when they give updates if they haven’t completed a project and give feedback on each completed task to better align expectations between you two.
I love VA’s so much I now teach people how to find them and walk through one task assignment with coaching clients to get them going. Now that is a win-win-win scenario!
Kenny
Big Click Syndicate LLC
http://www.KennyJahng.com
[…] about virtual assistants. I’m intrigued by this idea. I just finished reading a great blog by Sarah Shaw, of Entreprenette She always has the greatest, and timely blogs! I’ve looked into a few services online that […]
This is a jamming post! Thanks for all the ideas! I have taken careful notes–I am still looking for the right V.A. (Have let go of several…)
Dr. Barnsley Brown
President, Spirited-Solutions Professional Speaking & Coaching
http://www.spirited-solutions.com
Amen to all of you. I love the preciseness of tasks performed and the billing of my Virtual assistant. http://www.TeamDoubleClick.com is the company I use and if you should use them tell them I referred you as I think I get something for the referral. CIAO! Go Pack GO!
I’ve enjoyed the services of a great VA for several years now (Janet Barclay of Organized Assistant, the same VA that Julie in #18 has working for her). Janet is as indispensible to the upkeep of the business side of my writing career as my cleaning lady is to the upkeep of my home. It’s hard to imagine now how I ever got along without my “Organized Assistant”s.
This is a really great post! I’m excited to see so many business owners taking advantage of all that we have to offer. I recently wrote a post on the benefits of partnering with a virtual assistant. Check it out: http://www.capitolbizsupport.com/5Reasons
As a Virtual Assistant myself, it is great to hear how our industry is helping and growing other businesses. If you don’t have a VA yet, get one! There are thousands of us out there, both in North America and abroad.
Nice post! This is really informative. Hiring virtual assistant is indeed a good decision. Needless to say that they are now becoming a necessity for business industry.
What a great article! It’s nice to see the many examples of what a VA can do for entrepreneurs and small businesses. I love being a VA and can’t see myself doing anything else!
[…] How to find and use a Virtual Assistant to get ahead – The … […]
Hey, That was a good post, I like it. I also found some intresting posts about virtual assistant services at http://adaywithvirtualassistan-flex-m.blogspot.com
Hey, Karen — A VA is like a personal assistant except online vs. in your own office. Because of the lack of face-to-face involvement, it becomes far more vital to specify tasks and establish good accountability systems. Having said all this, I have VAs, from around the world, and love them all! Marnie
I love this idea. Especially since I have a business and still work a 9-5. sometimes juggling both makes things slip through the cracks.
I will definitely check into this!
Thanks!
Vanessa says:I just wanted to piggy back on what some of the others have said. I am a strong advocate for Virtual Assistants. I was a little hesitant at first but now I can’t imagine not having one. I used http://www.thevirtualassistantschool.com and http://www.georgiavirtualassistants.com to build my Virtual Assistant team. If you haven’t tried a VA and you’re a small business owner, I strongly encourage it. But just like with anything else, be careful because not every VA is created equally.
Great post Sarah. I run a Virtual Placement Agency so I’m obviously a huge believer in clients outsourcing their business support needs to a VA. However it is important to find the right VA for your business and delegate effectively in order for the relationship to work from the start.
I find that sometimes I have to spend a little extra time convincing clients that are not yet sold on the idea of using a VA, this article should help with that.
Thanks so much.
Awesome post Sarah – As a Administrative Specialist/VA myself it is always my pleasure to help ideal busy entrepreneurs.
Wonderful Article Indeed, It’s helped me a lot to understand the concept, I do know the company who offer a lots of services and i am using it.
http://www.mimfinfotech.com
Very Helpful Post.Good description on how to use a virtual assistant
As soon as you have the money……the more times you can spend on sales and marketing and designing…….the better.
[…] Shaw of The Entreprenette Gazette recently asked a number of business owners what their virtual assistants do for them and how they […]
[…] big businesses. Sarah especially loves the idea of hiring VAs. However, she advises that you only delegate the tasks you can’t […]
Leave a comment
Want to express your opinion?
Leave a reply!
Leave a Reply
Testimonials
Your program is already helping me sooo much.. and I finally feel like there is a light at the end o… Read more
Shiksona Beauty
"20px" /> the website looks great. I am so… 
Great Entrepreneurs Listen to Advice, then decide what to do with it.![]()
![]()
For more information on working with me, Check out my free training for product designers that will share how to get your products into stores, magazines and even A-list celebrities.![]()
![]()
Click here: sarahshawconsulting.com/sarahshaw/![]()
![]()
#sarahshawconsulting #entreprenette #BeYourOwnBOSS #femaleentrepenuer #femaleentrepenuerlifestyle #womaninbusiness #bossbabe #productresearch #ProductDevelopment #mistakeshappen #smallbizcoach #businessgoals #businessstrategy #growyourbusiness #businessplanning #momsinbusiness #mompenuers #solopenuer #entrepenuerwoman #businessbuilding #coachingbusiness #businesstraining #leadership #femalebusinesscoach
Are you thinking of getting your products to celebrities?![]()
This is how I doubled my sales in just 2 years.![]()
That is a fast track to getting more credibility for your brand really quickly. ⭐️![]()
![]()
And it’s not just me…… clients have recently gotten products to Charlize Theron, America Ferrera, Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica parker.![]()
![]()
Check out this video and then book a call on this link with me so I can share how to do it.![]()
sarahshawconsulting.com/sarahshaw/![]()
![]()
❤️ Sarah![]()
![]()
#sarahshawconsulting #entreprenette #beyourownboss #femaleentrepenuer #femaleentrepenuerlifestyle #womaninbusiness #bossbabe #productresearch #productdevelopment #mistakeshappen #smallbizcoach #businessgoals #businessstrategy #growyourbusiness #businessplanning #momsinbusiness #mompenuers #solopenuer #entrepenuerwoman #businessbuilding #coachingbusiness #businesstraining #leadership #femalebusinesscoach #onlinebusinesscoach #leadersinheels #ceoofmylife #thehustleisreal #confidencecoach #productcoach
Once you have established relationships with the right buyers and have had success selling into stores, it’s time to start looking for more and more stores each month. You will quickly see your revenue go up and your cash flow ease.![]()
![]()
Let me show you exactly how to do this in my FREE Masterclass on how getting into stores, pitching the media and leveraging celebrities to help grow your brand makes your world go round.![]()
![]()
Read here: sarahshawconsulting.com/what-buyers-dont-want-you-to-know/![]()
![]()
#sarahshawconsulting #entreprenette #beyourownboss #femaleentrepenuer #femaleentrepenuerlifestyle #womaninbusiness #bossbabe #productresearch #productdevelopment #mistakeshappen #smallbizcoach #businessgoals #businessstrategy #growyourbusiness #businessplanning #momsinbusiness #mompenuers #solopenuer #entrepenuerwoman #businessbuilding #coachingbusiness #businesstraining #leadership #femalebusinesscoach #onlinebusinesscoach #leadersinheels #ceoofmylife #thehustleisreal #confidencecoach #productcoach
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Stephen Key for InventRight. We had a great conversation about how to get ready for publicity and what you need to get started.![]()
![]()
Click here to listen to the interview! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMx6D7b_8Nw![]()
![]()
#sarahshawconsulting #entreprenette #BeYourOwnBOSS #femaleentrepenuer #femaleentrepenuerlifestyle #womaninbusiness #bossbabe #productresearch #ProductDevelopment #mistakeshappen #smallbizcoach #businessgoals #businessstrategy #growyourbusiness #businessplanning #momsinbusiness #mompenuers #solopenuer #entrepenuerwoman #businessbuilding #coachingbusiness #businesstraining #leadership #femalebusinesscoach #onlinebusinesscoach #leadersinheels #ceoofmylife #thehustleisreal #confidencecoach #productcoach
I'm already getting orders from the email with the updated pricing that I just sent to my current stores. One day I'm gonna fly wherever you are and buy you a big glass of wine and hug you. Truly blessed that I stumbled upon your site that day. I know I pay you to help me but you've done so much for me and are worth every penny if not more. - Meredith Jurica![]()
![]()
#sarahshawconsulting #entreprenette #BeYourOwnBOSS #femaleentrepenuer #femaleentrepenuerlifestyle #womaninbusiness #bossbabe #productresearch #ProductDevelopment #mistakeshappen #smallbizcoach #businessgoals #businessstrategy #growyourbusiness #businessplanning #momsinbusiness #mompenuers #solopenuer #entrepenuerwoman #businessbuilding #coachingbusiness #businesstraining #leadership #femalebusinesscoach #onlinebusinesscoach #leadersinheels #ceoofmylife #thehustleisreal #confidencecoach #productcoach
