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ISSN 1939-2834
Vol. 2, No. 13 | March 31, 2008
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In This Issue:
From the Editor
Nothing gives us Virtual Assistants more of a kick than to support our
fabulous clients in achieving their dreams. But in order to get that collaborative
relationship off to a great start, it's super important to make sure everyone
has their understandings and expectations in alignment. To that end, Cheryl
Harless is here this week with some great reminders.
To your success!
Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
Hiring a Virtual Assistant
— 5 Things You Need to Know
 If
you find yourself bogged down with the business of running your business,
you may need a Virtual Assistant. A competent Virtual Assistant can set
up systems and procedures to free you from time-consuming tasks that eat
away at your time and energy. However, finding the right Virtual Assistant
does take some time. Because the work is collaborative, it is important—in
fact, imperative—that you find the right fit for you and your business.
Here are five things you need to know when hiring a Virtual Assistant:
1. Understand what a Virtual Assistant is or does.
A Virtual Assistant is a highly skilled administrative professional working
from his or her own office, utilizing their own equipment. Virtual Assistants
are not at your beck and call, and most work more like an attorney, accountant,
or billing service, providing you with a set number of hours per month
on a retained basis. It is your responsibility to make sure you use those
hours. A competent Virtual Assistant should have a minimum of five years
working in upper level administrative positions in the brick and mortar
workplace before stepping out to start their own business.
What a Virtual Assistant does is create a collaborative working partnership
with you to help you succeed. They create systems and procedures to streamline
your business, and help it flow in a logical, intentional way. They do
the things that eat away at your time, and prevent you from being most
effective.
2. Shop for value and not for price.
Stop thinking in terms of "how much will this cost me," and
think of how this will save you time, energy and, yes, in the long run,
even money. Virtual Assistants are invaluable assets that help you grow
and succeed. We all know that running ourselves ragged is not the answer
to a successful business. Work smarter, not harder is the mantra of small
business owners, and Virtual Assistants are the smart solution.
3. Know that Virtual Assistants are ADMINISTRATIVE
experts.
In this day and age, so many people are looking for someone that does
it all. Virtual Assistants are first and foremost administrative professionals...
not bookkeepers, web designers, graphic artists, copywriters. Most Virtual
Assistants are able to handle some billing, update existing websites and
use graphic artwork to create brochures, newsletters or presentations.
But if a Virtual Assistant company says they can do anything and everything,
BEWARE. Every Virtual Assistant has their strengths and weaknesses, and
the smart Virtual Assistant knows what she does best and does not accept
work that she doesn't do well.
4. Respect the Virtual Assistant's system and procedures.
Virtual Assistants are highly skilled in business administration and
provide their services to you for mutual benefit. They are not employees.
When hiring a Virtual Assistant, one must remember that he or she has
several clients, and it is important to respect his or her boundaries.
Since a Virtual Assistant works with—not for—several
clients, it is important that their time be respected and the procedures
they set in place adhered to.
5. Look for a Virtual Assistant who is targeting YOU.
If you are a business coach, speaker, attorney, or horse breeder, do
your due diligence and look for someone who is specifically targeting
your profession. If you cannot find one that is in your exact field, broaden
your search a bit. By finding someone in your field, you are going to
find that special connection of someone who speaks your language and understands
your passions.
When searching for a Virtual Assistant, be sure you fully understand
what a Virtual Assistant is and what he/she will do for your business.
Look for someone that is targeting your market, someone that speaks your
language and understands your business. Realize that a superior Virtual
Assistant will not be or do all things. Drop the employer/employee mentality.
Understand that you are working with a business owner, like yourself,
providing a service and partnering with you for mutual benefit. Understand
the terrific value a Virtual Assistant will bring to you and your business.
Respect their time and procedures. They are busy professionals just like
you.
Last, but not least, honestly appraise your ability to trust and let
go. Can you trust another individual to do the work and use your time
and money wisely? Even Virtual Assistants who hire other VAs struggle
with this one. It is hard to let go of your baby. But letting go might
be the most rewarding thing you do!
 RESOURCE:
The Client’s
Guide to Virtual Assistance is an invaluable resource for any business
owner considering partnering with a VA. Couple that with the RFP
Center (Request for Partnership) and the Virtual
Assistant Directory which gives you access to some of the best
Virtual Assistants in the industry. Each Virtual Assistant in the VACOC
has at least five years upper-level administrative experience, and can
actually read, write, spell and articulate intelligent thought.
 About
the Author: As principal of CH
Enterprises, Cheryl A. Harless is an administrative expert
with over 20 years experience. Cheryl specializes in Administrative Support
for the Equine Professional. She spent much of her youth around horses,
and loves them to this day. She speaks your language and shares your passion
for both your horses and your business. Don’t you deserve the best
of both worlds? To learn how her services can help you “Get
Out of the Office and Back to the Barn,” visit http://www.CH-Enterprises.com.
Next
FREE Teleseminar: May 15 with "Life on Track" Coach Cari Vollmer
 We
won't be having a teleseminar in April as the VACOC members will be celebrating
another fabulous year of business growth and accomplishments at their
annual anniversary party.
But save the date for Thursday,
May 15, when the teleseminars resume with "Life
on Track" coach Cari Vollmer. "See" you then!
- A D V E R T I S E M E N T -
 Find
Your Niche Helping Authors Tame the Publishing Process. Many of
the skills you have as a Virtual Assistant are directly transferable to
the specific tasks needed by authors as they work through the publishing
process. Consider working with authors as a niche! Click
to learn about training and watch a video...
See
Your Ad Here!
Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today!
 You
don't have to live in overwhelm. You CAN get just the help you
need without having to hire in-house staff. Find yourself a great Virtual
Assistant today, and go from struggling by yourself to getting things
done and thriving on the road to success.
See
Your Ad Here!
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