Is it Time to Get A Virtual Assistant?
With technology growing every day, you have many options to choose from when it comes to recruiting assistance for your business and/or personal life. Delegating to a responsible, reliable virtual professional is not “handing off your work” to another .. it’s responsible business management.
If you are reading this, and asking the question: “Do I need to hire a virtual assistant?” then chances are you do.
Ask yourself these five simple questions and you will know for sure.
1) How much per hour do you charge your clients?
If you are paid in a lump sum (or per project), average this amount out to see how much you are actually paid per hour. Think about all of the tasks you perform that are not making you money: scheduling appointments, running errands, taking phone calls, etc. Jobs that consist of responding to emails and posting on social media can be delegated to someone else for a fraction of what you are actually charging your clients. This will allow you to take on the bigger, higher paying tasks, eventually making you more money.
Time is money .. use your time effectively!
2) Are you losing sleep?
Everyone loves and needs a 8-10 hours of quality sleep each night. This keeps you alert and productive. If you are constantly waking up throughout the night or wondering during the day if you have forgotten something, it may be time to enlist some help. Simply having that extra person who has your back can be extremely comforting. Ultimately clearing your mind for more important challenges. Put the burden of worry on someone else.
Not sure if you’re getting good sleep? Pick up a Fitbit and monitor your sleeping. It can be eerily alarming to see your sleep patterns. Trust me .. I know ??
3) Do you have so many projects you cannot keep up?
If things are falling through the cracks and you are becoming overwhelmed, there is no shame is recruiting the help of a virtual assistant. When it comes to the point that you cannot respond to important clients or answer necessary questions, the client may get the impression you are not the right person for the job, and you will lose them in the long run.
4) Is the majority of your day spent in your inbox?
Checking emails can be a tedious task. Why not hire someone who can do this at half the price of what it cost you to do it? After all, this is not an extremely hard task; but it is necessary and must be done. A virtual assistant at an entry level position can do this. Having this task out of the way can clear up a tremendous amount of time for you.
Have your VA set up filters and come up with a way to process email to keep your time in there to a minimum.
5) Do you spend most of your time managing tasks?
You need to be leading and delegating the smaller task so that you can focus on the bigger picture. Consider your hourly rate and determine what it is you are actually doing for this amount of money. Would your time be better spent elsewhere? Be honest with yourself.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help and hiring more people. In fact, this makes you look more professional and essentially more efficient as well. If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is definitely time to contract with a virtual assistant. We’re here, we’re friendly, and we love to help out our clients!
About Out of the Office Virtual Assistance:
Since 2006, Out of the Office has offered ideas and ways to increase your productivity, decrease your workload, and work more efficiently. We nurture a successful business relationship, while continuing to grow as your business partner. We are focused on streamlining your administration, social media planning and execution, content writing and offering creative solutions for your business success.