Virtual assistants are increasing in popularity today with the increase of online entrepreneurs. Hiring an assistant can be a smart move if you’re an internet marketer that’s bogged down by administrative tasks that stop you from earning.
When to Outsource
When should you outsource tasks? There are two indications that outsourcing might be a good idea.
1) You have enough to do that you’re having trouble keeping up with some of your organisational tasks
2) The act of outsourcing would enable you to make more money because your time will be immediately spent generating more online income for yourself.
Virtual assistants can do things such as field your calls, do your bookkeeping, manage your schedule and more. Depending on the nature of your business, you might consider hiring someone with certain specialties and knowledge in your industry.
Because telecommuting is desirable, you could not only find someone very capable of helping you free up time while also staying organised but also could find someone who could be a great asset to your online business.
Finding a Great Assistant
Finding someone to help you run your business is a task you should put time and effort into. You can check online telecommuter’s websites or place online classified ads and you should check references and conduct online and telephone interviews to enable you to find the best person for the job. The transition could require a bit of time and effort but could be a great investment in your business.
Look before you leap and don’t try to expand before you’re financially ready. It’s also wise to do a short term trial to be sure you’ve found the right person for the job.
About Sean Rasmussen
I like the idea of outsourcing, especially tasks that I am not that good at, don’t create money and are not fun for me. Up to now I never had someone “just online” but always knew and had met the person. Doing it purely virtually with someone maybe somewhere else on the globe is a great concept, I just need to figure out how to make sure I pick the right person for the job.
If you use an outsourcing service like Elance, many writers will provide you with quotes for the work. You can then check out their profiles and see what other people have been saying about their service which can be a good way to sort out the good from the bad Renee.
Renee
I can highly recommend Elance
Hi Sean,
I haven’t even considered a virtual assistant because obviously my business is so small, it isn’t required yet. At the moment my partner gets the task of being my assistant.
Jazz
I envy you having a partner who supports you. My partner is still in the belief that anything on the internet is a scam, so its me,myself and I. That doesn’t alter my belief that I am on the right road.
Hi Gee,
Yes, I am really lucky to have that support. Maybe you could ask your partner to sit in on one of Sean’s webinars. I think if your partner heard Sean’s story, she might feel differently.
My partner is in the same boat as Gee and is very skeptical (and unfortunatley we have been through a bad experience in the past 12 months). However I do have his support for what I am doing which is great. Is a great motivation for getting my Internet Marketing working and producing the results I want.
I like the idea of a virtual assistant. It could be very handy. At the moment i am using writers from Elance and are happy with their work
Same here Gee. I think that it’s important to form a good relationship with your content writer once you have found a good one. This was it can be much easier to negotiate fees, timelines for deliverable’s, etc.
Having a virtual assistant sounds like a great idea. They could take care of some of the less productive but still necessary tasks. This would help free up time/space to focus on developing key internet marketing skills.
Once I grow in size a bit it is definitely something I will consider – not only for the productivity gains, but also for the lifestyle benefits.
Virtual Assistant? Isn’t that what I have a wife for?
Easy ladies, I’m only joking! Actually I have a hard time dragging her away from her computer when she’s not quilting.
Obviously, at this stage of my learning process I’m nowhere near being in a position to require a “virtual assistant”. And I’d be quite surprised if I ever reached that stage. However, it is an option to keep in mind.
Hi Don,
I think you’ll find that if you continue to hang out with the likes of Sean Rasmussen; you’ll be needing that virtual assistant. And probably sooner than you think.
For now though, I think it’s okay to ask your wife to assist you. I’m sure she doesn’t mind.
Hi Don
I think you are selling yourself short. What you are learning through the Learn and Earn competition will hold you in good stead for the future.
I wouldn’t of progressed as much as I have without the direction of Sean and his team.
Having a VA is one of my goals so that I can concentrate on doing what I like and also do best.
Its a good way to divide the tasks and also to work from my strengths. The latter often gets undermined because I have to do tasks that I dislike and am lazy about.
Outsourcing to a virtual assistant certainly is on my to do list eventually. They are a very valuable asset to any business not just an online business.
As for sorting who is best I would think the VA would have good references, knowledge and experience with the tasks that you require.
I would love a Virtual Assistant. I have a few friends who have lost jobs over the past few months and would love to have been in a position to offer them some tie over work. I have some articles written by a fantastic person on Elance which has been economical for me as the time I take to write an article can be too long.
One of my goals is to have my IM business at a level where I can hire some staff (and Virtual Assistants)
Hi Sean,
Hiring a virtual assistant is a great idea. I have noted Elance and online classified ads for when the time comes to outsource tasks.
As soon as I’m organized enough to select the correct help I’ll be doing it. Thank you for the information.