There’s this common misconception that entrepreneurs quit their jobs, so they can be lazy, but the truth is that they stopped doing 9 to 5, so they can start working around the clock on what they’re passionate about. Business owners are some of the hardest-working people in the world and, plenty of times, it’s to a fault. Some people find it difficult to ask for help, while others think that they won’t get the right help. However, there will come a time when you have to swallow that pride or fear. You will wake up one day, check your overflowing inbox, dread your long to-do list, and think “I need an assistant now!”
You may be feeling overwhelmed with everything going on, but this is good news. It means that a lot is going on in your business and that it’s time for you to take the next step. What you have to figure out now knows when, how much, and what kind of help will most suit your business needs. In some cases, hiring a full-time, in-house employee isn’t the best. This is when a virtual personal assistant may be your most viable option.
The Seven Signs
If you’re waiting to take this step, here are the signs that it’s time for you to get a virtual assistant.
Too Much Time Spent on Administrative Tasks, Too Little Time Spent Building the Business
Does the thought of opening your inbox make you cringe? Do you spend most of your day answering calls and queries? Did you remember to post on your business’ social media accounts today? How often do you get stuck doing mundane tasks like filling in spreadsheets?
Now imagine having a virtual personal assistant do all of that for you. While these are important and necessary tasks, they shouldn’t take up so much of your day that could otherwise be spent finding new clients, building relationships with existing customers, or working on new ideas for your business.
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Too Many Work Engagements, Not Enough Family Time
There’s no question that running a business takes a lot of time and hard work. But it shouldn’t be an excuse to skip out on family time.
If your family constantly complains about missed dinners and special events, it’s time to get virtual assistant services and have someone to share the workload with. Once you delegate tasks, you can have more time with the people who matter.
Losing Inspiration
People start a business because it’s what they’re passionate about. However, if you spend most of your time buried under paperwork and other administrative tasks, that fire can burn out pretty quickly.
Believe it or not, some people love those types of tasks and are probably better at it than you. So, if you have the opportunity and the means to push these tasks to someone else, why not? That should give you more energy to focus on the bigger picture and have the inspiration and passion to come back to you.
You Find That You Can No Longer Stay on Top of Things
Unanswered emails, unfinished paperwork, poor customer service are all red flags that your work and your business are suffering. And something needs to change.
You need to accept the fact that you’re just one person and you can’t do it all. With a virtual assistant to help you out, you can get everything back in order in a snap.
You’re the Boss, But Not Necessarily the Best
Multiple aspects make a business as successful as it can be. You have to consider marketing, sales, administration, and so forth. This venture may be your brainchild but are you an expert in everything that will make it run smoothly? Chances are that there’s someone else who’s better than you when it comes to writing blogs, creating graphics, managing social media platforms, doing books and accounting, and other administrative tasks.
If you’re good at them and you love doing them, then that’s great. But if you’re spending too much time on them and you’re still not getting exceptional results, a virtual assistant with a specific skill set can help you out.
You’re Not Really Sure If It’s the End of the Day Already
Employees usually have a specific set of hours for work. Entrepreneurs, not so much. Even if you’ve completed all your tasks for the day, there are times when you still feel like there’s so much more to do.
It’s a common sentiment among business owners. With an assistant, someone else can tackle those tasks and start preparing for the next day so you can go to bed at night and sleep soundly rather than have a thousand things running through your mind.
You Have a Business That Runs the Clock
There are only 24 hours in a day, but a whole lot of time zones to consider. If you have clients across the globe, it’s either you risk losing sleep or risk losing customers. With a virtual assistant, that doesn’t have to be the case.
You can have your assistant work opposite hours from you so there’s always someone who can attend to client concerns even as you sleep.
These are just some of the signs that it’s time to get yourself an assistant. The question now is, are you ready to hire one?
Four Signs You’re Ready to Have a Virtual Assistant
Just because you need some help, doesn’t mean you’re ready to get it. Here are some signs that indicate your readiness to have a virtual personal assistant.
You’re Making Enough
While hiring a virtual assistant is more affordable than getting an in-house employee, you still need to make sure that you have enough cash coming in to be able to pay for their services for the foreseeable future.
If you’re new to the realm of virtual assistants, start slow. Hire them for a few hours a week, then consider upping the hours when your cash flow increases. Additionally, you can opt for task-based virtual assistants such as OkayRelax, which offers various plans from which you can choose which one fits you best.
You’re Ready to Trust Someone Else
This goes back to the idea that some entrepreneurs find it hard to entrust their business to someone else who may not be as passionate about it as they are. Hiring a virtual assistant means giving up on the idea that you need to do everything for things to work out.
You need to be ready to give up some control. You do have the right to oversee the work your virtual assistant does, but that doesn’t mean you have to micro-manage. Give them some room to work things out to make the working relationship worthwhile.
You Have a System
Having systems and policies in place is key to the success of any business, and this includes your working arrangement with your personal assistant. Proper procedures help set the standards that your assistant must achieve.
You Know What They Can and Cannot Do
Good virtual assistants may seem like they’re heaven-sent when it comes to helping you run your business smoothly. However, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re still just assistants.
They may be excellent at what they do, but you need to be able to provide direction and answer questions, especially when it comes to complicated situations.
Finding a Virtual Assistant
If you’ve managed to tick everything off these lists, the next question on your mind is probably where to find a virtual assistant.
There’s plenty. But another question for you is, do you have the time to find them on your own? Or will hiring a virtual assistant just make it on your to-do list and be forgotten?
Maybe you do have the time to look for assistance, but do you want to go through the trouble of working with a different person every time you need something done until you find the assistant that perfectly fits the bill?
If you need an assistant and want help in finding the right candidate, virtual assistant services such as OkayRelax can help you. For as low as $29.95 a month, your assistant can help you complete tasks such as time-consuming research, mundane administrative tasks, and complicated schedule management. Your virtual assistant can even help you with restaurant reservations, flight bookings, and activity recommendations to help you win potential customers over or make sure you have a fantastic time with your family.
OkayRelax also matches you with a dedicated virtual assistant who will get to know you as well as your business needs. The goal is to get an assistant who can consistently provide amazing results and can work with you for a long time.
Much like hiring an in-house employee, getting a virtual assistant should be considered a long-term investment. No matter the nature or difficulty of the tasks, they’ll be doing work that will ultimately help you grow your business.
When you’re ready to get the help that you need, let virtual assistant services provide you with just the thing you need to help you achieve success – all while maintaining the perfect balance between your work and personal life.