You’ve probably heard a news report or colleague talking about using a virtual assistant. Basically, a virtual assistant is an independent contractor that you pay to do work and tasks that normally you would do. It can be as simple as hiring someone to convert your articles into web pages, or as complicated as outsourcing a computer programmer to create a complicated software product that you plan to market to Fortune 500 companies. But before choosing a specific VA, there are some mistakes you’d want to steer clear of.
Three Mistakes To Avoid When Using A Virtual Assistant
1. Not getting enough samples. Just because someone tells you that he’s great at creating dazzling header images, doesn’t mean much. Before you make your final decision, all potential virtual assistants need to provide you with samples of their work. Ideally you’d ask to see samples in a variety of different styles, themes or topics. A professional virtual assistant will offer you plenty of samples and/or a portfolio of completed work.
2. Giving vague instructions. Never assume that the virtual assistant knows as much about the project details as you do. The more specific you outline what you would like to happen, the less errors that will occur. Don’t tell a freelance article writer to write up five articles on health insurance. Give him a detailed plan on how exactly you would like five 400 words articles written for the senior vacation health insurance niche. Give him the exact long tail keyword phrases to write about, as well as the article titles you would like to use. You want to remove any doubt as to what you expect. Be sure to encourage your virtual assistant to contact you with ANY questions.
3. Not having a deadline. If you don’t establish a time frame of when the project is expected to be completed, then it’s very unlikely that it will be finished when you would like it to be. A deadline should be negotiated at the same time as the compensation is agreed upon. It should be fair and acceptable to both parties.
Don’t make the same mistakes that everyone else does when they first start using a virtual assistant. When hiring a VA, be confident in your decision by seeing an assortment of work samples. But don’t stop there. By giving very detailed instructions and negotiating a fair deadline, you will get the most out of your outsourcing experience.
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