Are you looking to grow and scale this year? Worried you don’t have the time to do it all or the resources to hire a team member? A Virtual Assistant (VA) might be just the person you need to help your dreams come true. Are you ready to outsource some work today?
Grace Robinson is the managing director of Eden Assistants, where she oversees 15 fabulous VAs within the creative industry. After years of working as a Virtual Assistant herself, she set up Eden Assistants “to help business owners work their magic in their zones of genius”.
Individuals and business owners reach out to VAs for several reasons, and Grace comments that most often, it’s “when people are looking to grow their brand, and they realise there are so many different skills involved.
According to Grace, a VA can step in “when you’re looking to outsource things you’re not good at or that you don’t enjoy”.
Why do People Reach Out to a VA for Help?
Grace comments that when people are looking to grow and realise there are so many different skills involved and challenging for one person to have the skills, resources, experience and time to do everything, they look for a VA! Often they’ve been recommended to do so from a business coach: to outsource things you’re not good at or that you don’t enjoy.
“It’s when people stop enjoying the work they do. With any business, there are always extra tasks involved that won’t be your passion or your core work and take away from your focus.”
VAs, Interns, or Full-time Employees
The luxury of immersing ourselves in what we truly love is unparalleled. But, the looming question remains: Why a VA, when the world offers interns and in-house team members?
Grace helps break it down:
- Commitment: Employing a team member is undeniably a mammoth commitment. It isn’t just about finances, but also the legal obligations like HR policies. Such commitments might not resonate with everyone. It’s a path chosen “when you’re at a brink, ready and able to invest both time and money.”
- Interns: Offering young talent a stepping stone is commendable. Internships are a brilliant avenue for tasks that don’t demand an intense lead from your end. Yet, their expertise might be limited, and when the terrain gets rough, an intern might not suffice.
- VAs: The beauty of a VA lies in their professional readiness. Not only are they externally insured, but they are also well-versed with contemporary regulations, such as GDPR. It’s like having a knight in shining armour, equipped and prepared, waiting just for you.
Barriers in the Industry
Despite the wealth of benefits of VAs, the industry is still relatively new in some more traditional sectors. Similarly, business owners and brand leaders aren’t always aware of the criteria of a Virtual Assistant. They have a wealth of knowledge, and to become a VA takes a lot of skill and training.
VAs are excellent problem solvers, they have to do things by themselves a lot of the time. It’s a profession in itself!
grace robinson
They have often come from roles as Personal or Executive Assistants and have experience with taking instructions and diversifying. It demands:
- Expertise and Knowledge: Far from mere task-takers, VAs come equipped with a treasure trove of knowledge. Their journey is paved with rigorous training and skill acquisition.
- Problem-Solving Acumen: Often, they tread solo, devising solutions on the fly. “It’s not just a role,” Grace emphasises, “it’s a profession.”
- A Rich Background: Many VAs transition from being Personal or Executive Assistants. This means they bring with them the finesse of understanding directives and adapting to varied needs.
Choosing a VA that is right for you
How do you get started? Is there a wrong time to start? The first thing is to “find the right match in terms of skill, expertise and attitude to fulfil your brief and requirements”, Grace tells us, “while some will want to be led, others will take the lead”.
It is essential to be clear on the role of your desired Virtual Assistant,” if you’re not prepared to welcome a new member of your team, it’s not a good time. You need to take time to think about what you want to hand over and how to choose what to delegate.” Think of this time as an investment. In the future, this time and money invested will serve you.
The more hands, attention and skills in your business means there’s more room for your business to grow. It can help to drive your business forward more quickly and easily.
grace robinson
Ultimately, clear communication is vital when working virtually. It is essential to plan in calls and regular catch-ups as “the better and more precise you are, the better and more efficient the VA will be”.
Here are the touchpoints to consider:
- Role Clarity: Visualise the role you envisage for your VA. Not ready to invest the time? It might not be the right moment. See this phase as planting seeds for a fruitful future.
- The Leadership Dance: While some VAs will yearn for direction, others might step up and pave the way. Know what dance you want to engage in.
- Communication is Key: In the digital realm, scheduled calls and consistent touchpoints can work wonders. As Grace underscores, “Your clarity begets their efficiency.”
How to Outsource the Right Way
Pre-2020, the very idea of a predominantly virtual workspace might’ve seemed otherworldly. Yet, the tide has turned. The surge in remote working during the pandemic has cast VAs into the limelight, heralding them as invaluable assets.
As Grace reflects, the shift in perceptions towards virtual working has been monumental. “It’s no longer an experiment; it’s an evolution.”
But what does this mean for businesses?
- Cost-Effective Synergy: The pandemic, despite its challenges, has spotlighted the efficacy of VAs. They offer a seamless blend of talent without the overheads of HR, infrastructure, or physical space.
- Value Proposition: While industry wage averages offer a ballpark, remember that a VA’s worth is mirrored in their rates. As Grace aptly puts it, “Quality has its price.”
As we look to expand our horizons, embracing change becomes imperative. VAs emerge not just as task-doers, but as catalysts, amplifying our strengths and filling gaps with their expertise.
So, are you ready to rediscover the joy in your work, backed by a VA who complements your journey? The virtual realm awaits, teeming with potential and promise.
For more information on Grace and Eden Assistants, visit the website or their social media.
Ready to get started with positive impact marketing?
Set up power marketing systems build a marketing strategy that drives results, when you join our certification.
Develop an advanced set of marketing skills that drive more measurable results to any project and harness the power of psychology, purpose, storytelling, and impact to build trust in an increasingly skeptical world.
Take our certification, build your marketing plan and build your ultimate marketing toolkit.
