How Do You Employ a Virtual Assistant?

This is a question I’m often asked, and I’ve found that many people simply don’t know where to start - which is often the main reason they haven’t explored the benefits of working with a Virtual Assistant.

If this sounds familiar and you're in need of support - keep reading.

Key Things to Consider Before You Get Started

Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) can be a game-changer for business owners, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals. Whether you're drowning in admin tasks or simply want to reclaim time for more strategic work, a VA can help you stay focused on what truly matters. But how do you go about employing one - and more importantly, how do you make sure they're the right fit?

Here’s what you need to consider:

Clarify What You Need Help With

Start by listing the tasks you want to delegate. This could include:

• Email and diary management

• Customer service

• Data entry or CRM updates

• Social media - content creation and scheduling

• Bookkeeping or invoicing

• Research or travel booking

The more specific you are, the easier it’ll be to find a VA with the right skill set.

Choose the Right Type of VA

Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to VAs, they come with various skill sets, each offering different areas of expertise.

• General VA: Covers a broad range of administrative tasks.

• Specialised VA: Has expertise in a specific area like marketing, finance, or tech.

• Executive VA: Supports senior leaders with high-level admin and project management.

Decide if you need a jack-of-all-trades or someone with a niche focus.

Decide on Hours and Budget

Do you need support full-time, part-time, or just a few hours a week? VAs can work on:

• A retainer basis (a set number of hours per month)

• Hourly (as needed)

• Project-based (one-off tasks)

Also consider availability, and your monthly budget. Rates vary widely based on skills and location.

Find the Right Person

You can find VAs through:

• Referrals – ask within your network for recommendations

• VA agencies – they match you with pre-vetted professionals

• Freelance platforms – like Bark and Fiverr

  
  

Always ask for testimonials or samples of previous work. A discovery call can help you assess compatibility, communication style, and expectations.

Set Clear Expectations

Once you've found your VA, clarity is key. Make sure to:

• Define goals, deadlines, and communication preferences

• Provide them with access to the tools they'll need

• Set up a simple onboarding process

• Agree on how and when you'll review progress

  
  

A strong working relationship is built on trust, feedback, and clear communication.

Start Small and Scale Up

It’s okay to start with a few hours or a test project. This gives both of you a chance to build rapport and refine the working process. As your VA becomes more integrated into your business, you can expand their responsibilities and hours.

Final Thought

Hiring a Virtual Assistant isn’t just about saving time - it’s about working smarter. With the right support in place, you’ll be free to focus on growing your business, creating value, and achieving the work-life balance you deserve.

Want to learn more about how virtual support could work for you? Let’s chat.