Do you find yourself constantly stressed out from all the tasks on your plate? Do you long to return to a normal work life where you can tackle each challenge with peace of mind? If so, it’s time to bring in some support. A virtual assistant will lighten your load and increase your productivity. This won’t be easy, but it’s also not as hard as you think. Delegating tasks isn’t just for executives; anyone can learn how to delegate effectively. As an entrepreneur, delegating tasks is one way to stay organized while keeping stress levels low. In this blog post, we'll share 11 tips on how to delegate to your virtual assistant and save your sanity!
Vet your VA candidates
When you’re ready to start delegating tasks, you’ll first need to find someone to help. There are plenty of online platforms that can help you find your perfect match. Before you dive in, make sure to vet your candidate(s) so that you don’t end up with someone who isn’t a good fit for your team. This can be done with a few simple tests. Some platforms allow you to take a test and give you the results. Others will require you to manually test the candidate. Some common ways to vet candidates include:
- Personality tests. These give you an idea of how someone will fit into your team.
- Resume checks. This will help you make sure their resume is legitimate.
- Phone interviews. This is a test to make sure you can communicate with them effectively.
- Mock projects. You can give them a small sample project to see how they do. This is also a good time to test their skill set.
Decide on a platform
The first step to delegating tasks is deciding which platform you’ll use to hire your VA. There are plenty of options out there, but you’ll want to choose wisely. A platform that doesn’t work well for you might mean that you end up not using it at all. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a platform. First, you’ll want to make sure the platform allows you to outsource tasks to a VA. Some are designed for team collaboration only. Next, you’ll want to make sure the platform is user-friendly. You want to be able to navigate the platform and manage your tasks quickly and easily. You’ll also want to make sure the platform has the features you’re looking for. Does it have a scheduling feature? Does it have collaboration tools? Is it secure? It’s also a good idea to look at reviews and see what your fellow entrepreneurs are saying about their experience with the platform.
Define delegated tasks
Next, you’ll want to define the tasks you plan to delegate to your VA. It’s important to be realistic here. You don’t want to delegate all of your tasks, but rather only the ones that you feel comfortable giving up. Start with the smaller tasks and work your way up. Some tasks are easier to delegate than others. For example, we recommend delegating administrative tasks like scheduling social media posts, creating and sending newsletters, sending emails, and more. You should also consider delegating filing, virtual assistance, and research. Are you struggling with marketing? Consider delegating marketing research and other tasks related to this area.
Set realistic expectations
You want to set realistic expectations for your VA. This will help you avoid burning out your VA and also help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by your tasks. You may want to consider hiring a team of VA’s instead of hiring one person to help you out. This will allow you to scale your work and delegate different tasks to different people. It’s also important to let your VA know what is and isn’t expected of them. You don’t want to keep asking your VA to do things that aren’t in their job description. This can lead to a lot of frustration and cause your team to fail.
Virtual assistant logistics
There are a few logistics to consider when bringing on a VA. You’ll need to decide which tasks you want to outsource, how much you’re willing to pay for those tasks, and how you want to communicate with your VA. First, you’ll want to decide how you’ll pay your VA. Do you want to set up a salary? Or would you rather pay them per task? You’ll also want to figure out what time of day is best for your VA. Do they work during normal business hours? Or are they a night owl? Do they work weekends? Do they have vacation time?
Establish effective communication habits
Communication is key to any successful business relationship, but it’s especially important when hiring a virtual assistant. You don’t want to keep your VA in the dark about your expectations, deadlines, or anything else. We recommend using a few different methods of communication with your VA. This includes setting up a shared workspace, using a project management tool, video conferencing, and more. With a shared workspace, you can keep track of all your tasks, give feedback to your VA, and help your VA stay on track. A project management tool, like Asana, will allow you to add tasks and give your VA feedback in one central place. Communication is so important that we’ve created a few tips to help you get started!
Wrapping up: Don’t forget to breathe!
You might be feeling a little overwhelmed at this point. But don’t stress! There are plenty of VAs out there who are ready to help you out. It’s important to remember to breathe. This is a big decision and a big change in your daily schedule. You may question whether or not you’re ready for this change. As we mentioned, most business owners outsource some type of work. And it doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for running your own business. It’s a smart move that can help you focus on the things only you can do. With the right systems in place, delegating tasks can be a simple, stress-free process. It’s important to vet your candidates, set realistic expectations, and establish effective communication. Once you’re ready to delegate, you’ll be amazed by how much more productive you become.