There Is A Solution If There’s Too Much Time Working
An entrepreneur will always be busy, but are you spending too much time working? More input doesn’t necessarily mean better output.
Apart from poor productivity, the effects of working too much can lead to stress, frustration, loneliness, and general poor health.
But who’s going to do the work? After all, your business won’t run itself and you can’t afford to employ somebody else full time. Perhaps it’s time to consider outsourcing some tasks to a virtual assistant.
FREE Checklist: Outsourcing For Online Entrepreneurs
How Can A Virtual Assistant Help?
A virtual assistant (VA) is like a secretary or personal assistant that you communicate with online and outsource work to them to complete on your behalf. Virtual assistants are normally independent contractors who work from home. Some work independently and some work through various websites in order to more easily find clients.
Their hours and tasks are typically flexible, and the services they offer will vary. They can charge by the hour, by the task, or can charge a monthly fee for services. Many VAs are willing to work with you to come up with a pay structure that you’re both comfortable with, especially if they work independently.
The advent of fast broadband technology has changed the workforce forever. Outsourcing has been common since the 1980s but at that point, a contractor still had to come into the office to get information and take it to their office to get the work done. Now, a VA, freelancer or outsourcer can live literally anyplace where they have access to the internet.
How Can They Help You?
If you’re spending too much time working, a VA can do a variety tasks to help you in your business. When it comes to utilizing an assistant, you’re limited only by your imagination. You can start by making a list of all of the tasks you do each day, and consider which tasks you can have someone else do for you.
This includes administrative tasks, content creation, website building and trouble-shooting or even networking. You can find VAs that specialize in one area and those that offer services in multiple areas. Each VA can give you a list of tasks they can perform, and if you have something different in mind, it never hurts to ask. Many seasoned VAs can give you references if needed. Don’t pass over a virtual assistant just because they’re new.
Some administrative tasks a VA can perform are financial such as record keeping, managing payouts, and keeping track of income sources. They can manage incoming and outgoing email, forwarding specific types of email to you when your attention is needed. They can also schedule meetings, webinars, or phone calls for you or help you plan your work week. This is especially helpful if you struggle with time management.
Content Creation
When you’re running an online business by yourself, it’s not uncommon to spend too much time working on your website content. New content posted onto your website is the best way to inform, educate and engage your customers while building authority in the eyes of your audience. Also, the more website pages you have the more traffic you will get. But this all takes time.
A VA can write blog posts, newsletters, emails, press releases, and social media posts. They can also create reports or eBooks for you. Some VAs are great copywriters and have experience writing sales letters and sales pages. Outsourcing writing services can save you a lot of time, especially if writing takes you a long time, or if you struggle to bring your ideas together.
Social Media
Social media can be a huge time suck if you’re not familiar with the sites, or have trouble managing the time you spend on them. Sometimes the best use of a VA is to have them handle your social media and networking tasks. They can manage your social media campaigns, conduct research on what campaigns are effective, and they can network with potential clients, readers, and business associates. You can also have them set up a social media schedule or have them automate your social media process.
A Business Partner
Being an online entrepreneur can be a lonely job. Especially if you’re working from home and don’t have any direct contact with other businesses in your niche. Many VAs specialize in being a business partner who are very proactive in helping you run, manage and build your business. Look for an “online business manager” or “online marketing manager” or other specialties to help you run your business.
Only Pay For What You Need
A VA is a business owner who owns all the tools needed to do the work for you that you need completed. You don’t need to provide the tools, and you shouldn’t. They are their own business owner and have the tools.
When you contract with a VA, they are independent contractors who pay for their own benefits. The money you pay the VA covers those expenses, which is why you may pay from $20 to $40 an hour or more depending on the specialty that you need. It still saves you money because you only pay for and hire people to do work exactly when you need it. This means you can easily take on extra work when you get offered it, and get your VA(s) to help out with the parts they can do.
Your Success Is Their Success
Virtual assistants understand how important it is to deliver good work to you because your success is very dependent upon their success. VAs work hard to train themselves to do tasks that are needed and in demand so that you don’t have to train anyone. You simply hire the expertise you need for your projects, whether it’s a long term or on a by-project basis.
Too Much Time Working? Get Started With Outsourcing (Free Checklist)
If you are spending too much time working, a virtual assistant can save you time and money. They free you up to do the most important tasks for your business. This means you can put in the time to grow your business, rather than just staying at your current level. Start to try outsourcing a few tasks and see what feels right.
To learn more about outsourcing and where you can find reliable and trusted virtual assistants, download my free checklist Getting Started With Outsourcing. Remember, regardless of the type of business you run, and whether it is large or small, offline or online, outsourcing is one of the most cost-efficient ways to grow your business and avoid the nasty effects of overworking.