Let’s be real for a second: being a business owner is really, really hard. I know how hard it can feel to give everything you have and not move an inch. I know how it feels when your to-do list never stops and your personal life takes a hit. Sleepless nights, too much coffee, and big dreams falling around you aren’t the reason that we got into business in the first place. When you’ve decided that it’s time to bring someone on to help you like a virtual assistant, it feels monumental. And it is! You’re about to trust your business to someone else. And that in itself is scary enough, right? So that’s why I wanted to share how to prepare to bring a virtual assistant onto your team. (And PS, remember it’s a process and there will be hiccups – just take a deep breath and know that it will get easier with time!).
Have a call to set expectations.
If you haven’t already talked to your new VA on the phone or over a video call, now is the time. I highly recommend you interview them that way before you hire them, but I get it – life happens. Having a quick call to make sure everyone is on the same page about their role, what they need from you each month, how the process will look, and other general “how to” questions is crucial. It gives you both a set time to focus on what will make your relationship as stress-free as possible.
Know what you need from them.
Okay, this one’s a bit tricky because I know that you don’t always know what you need until you’re in the thick of things and realize what you don’t need. But, do your best ahead of time to understand what you want them to do. If they’re blogging for you, what are the expectations for image size, placement, and layout? If they’re answering emails, are there templates you use for consistency, or a response time you expect? Those are the types of things you should be thinking about. It sounds nitty gritty – and it is – and it SHOULD be. If you want someone to run your business like you, you have to show them how to do so.
Have walkthroughs available.
One of the easiest ways to make sure your virtual assistant understands what you need is to have walkthroughs or training documents on hand. These can easily be created with a Google doc and Loom video, but being able to have something your team member can review to ensure work is up to your standards/needs is important. I wouldn’t spend years creating these items but having the visual is a huge help in our line of work. You could also take the time to review their work and provide feedback in a visual format so they can use that as a reference in the future.
Essentially, preparing to bring a team member into your business is about making your expectations and needs clear. Creating an environment that’s supportive and strong is important, too. But without understanding what you really need and being open about that, your team member will flounder. Providing support and preparing for them is a step you can’t miss in the process and truly how to prepare to bring a virtual assistant onto your team!
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