How to Overcome Your Fear of Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant
If you own a small business, chances are you wear a lot of hats. You're the CEO, the CFO, the head of HR, and everything in between. With so much on your plate, it's no wonder that you often feel like there's not enough hours in the day to get everything done. One way to lighten your load is by outsourcing some of your tasks to a virtual assistant. But what if you're afraid of giving up parts of your business? Afterall, it can be frightening giving up the keys of your business to someone you don’t know or trust. Read on for tips on how to overcome your fear of outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant.
1. Define the Scope of Work
Before you can hand off a task to someone else, you need to have a clear idea of what needs to be done. Sit down and make a list of all the tasks you need help with, then prioritize them in order of importance. Once you have a good understanding of what needs to be done, you can start thinking about which tasks would be best suited for a virtual assistant. It may be that you want all of a particular task to be done by someone else and it may be that you just want part of the task done by someone else. Whatever it is, make the list and prepare the steps to complete the tasks you want done by the virtual assistant.
2. Find the Right Fit
Not all virtual assistants are created equal. Some may be better at handling customer service inquiries while others may be more skilled at conducting research or managing your social media accounts. When looking for a virtual assistant, take the time to find someone who has the skills and experience necessary to handle the tasks you need help with. It may even be possible that you need to hire multiple virtual assistants to handle your tasks. That way you make sure you have the best person for each job which needs to be done.
3. Get Recommendations
One of the best ways to find a good virtual assistant is to get recommendations from people you trust. Ask your friends, family, and colleagues if they have any experience working with virtual assistants. Once you have a few names, do your research. Read online reviews, check out their websites, and see if they offer any free trials or money-back guarantees.
4. Set Clear Expectations
Once you've found a virtual assistant you're confident in, it's important to set clear expectations from the outset. What tasks do you need them to help with? What is your budget? What is your timeline? Be as specific as possible so that there are no surprises down the road.
5. Communicate Often
After you've hired a virtual assistant and set clear expectations, it's important to stay in communication throughout the process. Check in regularly to see how things are going and if there are any issues that need to be addressed. The more open and honest you are with your communication, the more likely it is that your relationship will be successful.
6. Let Go and Trust Your Virtual Assistant
Once you've established clear expectations and communication channels, it's time to let go and trust your virtual assistant to get the job done. Try not to micromanage every little detail; remember, you hired them because you trust their skills and ability to get the job done right.
Outsourcing some of your tasks to a virtual assistant can free up valuable time that you can use to focus on other aspects of your business. If you're afraid of giving up control, keep these tips in mind and rest assured knowing that you've taken all the necessary steps to find the right person for the job!
