GREEN FLAGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Thinking about hiring a virtual assistant? Congrats! Follow these tips to find your match made in heaven!
If you’re thinking about outsourcing and getting help in your business- congratulations! I know this can be a scary step but as someone who has also hired I can tell you it’s so worth it.
Whether it is physically having someone take some work off your plate or just having some added accountability and support, it really can reignite your passion for your business.
As someone who has worked in this space for a while, these are the “green flags” I would look out for as you begin your search:
They aren’t afraid to ask for clarification when they need it. Communication is KEY to a successful VA partnership. Look for someone who asks questions and is willing to make sure you are on the same page rather than just saying “okay” to everything.
They are upfront when they don’t know how to do something and/or will let you know they’ll need a little extra time to learn something. It is usually NOT an end-all-be-all if a VA doesn’t know how to do something as long as they are honest about it. For example, I have written email sequences on a variety of platforms but occasionally dietitians come to me with an email platform I haven’t used. I tell them I’m comfortable writing the emails but it make take me a small amount of extra time to automate the emails properly. This doesn’t impact the project but this way we both are on the same page and can have the same expectations when it comes to the timeline.
They understand your niche and/or are willing to put in the work to understand your brand. Having someone who truly understands your niche and ideal client can save you a lot of hassle when it comes to editing and revising the content they create. Don’t be afraid to ask how they connect to your brand/mission or how they go about getting to know your business well.
They uphold their own boundaries and are willing to honor yours. While it may be tempting to look for someone who is available “all hours all the time,” boundaries surrounding time and commitments can be incredibly valuable. Remember, they are likely working with other business owners as well, so knowing they will uphold time boundaries with you AND with others can be a big green flag and help ensure your services will be a priority.
You VIBE! I’m big on ~vibes~ lol, and can usually tell pretty quickly when I’m on the same page with a potential client or not. While yes, you will have a professional relationship with your virtual assistant, it can also be helpful to have a few similarities or connection points. You don’t have to be besties, but you’ll likely be meeting or communicating frequently and you don’t want to walk away from conversations feeling confused, frustrated, or annoyed.
Pro Tip: It can be helpful to write down a few questions before you meet with a potential virtual assistant to make sure you walk away with a good understanding of whether or not you may be a match.
It may take some time to find a virtual assistant, and that’s okay! While you don’t want to put it off for too long because you expect to find a “perfect” person (psst: that probably doesn’t exist) it’s okay to talk to a couple people and decide who feels like the best match.
Try not to base your decision on price alone, as experience, niche, personality, and passion can all play an important role in your success with a given VA.
Interested in learning how Madison’s Virtual Magic can support your business? Learn more about our services here or book a free discovery call with us here.
