If you are one of my clients, you have heard me talk about how there are three types of tasks for your business. The ones you DO, the ones you DELEGATE, and the ones you Delete.
As you move from one stage of business to another, (from dreaming and building it, to growing it and scaling it) it is important to identify when you no longer should be undertaking some of the tasks like you first did. "Doing it all" can be detrimental to your productivity, and keep you from growing.
As I began to grow in my business, I knew that hiring a team member was needed to keep scaling up. My husband was not convinced that we could afford help at first. However, I knew that this was a business move I could NOT afford to not take. Keep reading to learn more about how hiring a VA can benefit your business from my very own VA, Chelsey!
The Benefits of a Virtual Assistant
Hey everyone! You may or may not have heard of me at this point, but my name is Chelsey, and I am Julie's virtual assistant. She has asked me to write a guest post on her blog today to explain the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant for yourself and your business. Today, I am going to walk you through the advantages of having a virtual assistant, how to utilize them, and the levels of VAs available for hire.
There is a long list of benefits of having a virtual assistant (VA) on the payroll. Obviously, they can help you get that to-do checklist completed. I could tell you everything a VA can do, but instead, I want to emphasize HOW to utilize them for the greatest return on investment.
Utilizing Zones of Genius
It is important to note that in business there are specific zones of genius. There will be tasks that you are good at and tasks that you are not good at, and that's okay.
Rather than fighting with tasks that take exponential effort, countless hours of time, and drive you up a wall, you can instead delegate those projects to a VA to complete on your behalf. For example, Julie is a wonderful speaker who connects well with her audience, but, on the other hand, writing blog posts doesn’t come naturally.
While Julie could complete or learn how to do every task in her business herself, it would take her more time and effort than she wants to expend to complete. Rather, she utilizes my zones of genius (writing and organization) to her benefit. Brilliant, right?
How Can I Use a Virtual Assistant
In business, there will be tasks that you have to do that someone cannot substitute for you. For Julie, such duties include speaking at events, hosting classes, networking, and coaching her clients.
On the other hand, many necessary tasks don't require a personal touch. That is where a VA comes in. By taking the time to invest in your VA and allowing them to learn about you, your voice, your brand, and your preferences, they can become a ghost behind the screen who completes those necessary but impersonal tasks to help you stay organized, consistent, and timely.
There is a long list of actions that you can delegate to a VA to progress your business. For example, some of the tasks that I complete for Julie include research, writing content, emailing clients, creating graphics, designing and scheduling social media posts, editing content, creating workbooks, organizing files, automating systems, and more. You may not have realized it, but I've written every post on this blog. If it sounded like Julie, that's because I have made an effort (with Julie's help, of course) to learn how she speaks, writes, and communicates her message.
3 Categories of Virtual Assistants
Before you start mentally planning how you would use a VA, I want to explain what I consider the three virtual assistance categories: personal assistants, part-time business assistants, and operations managers.
Personal Assistant
The most common VA that you hear of is a personal virtual assistant. This is someone who helps you with personal aspects of your life so that you can focus on your business. It might be scheduling a dentist appointment, booking a family vacation, or researching the best place to get your tires replaced. These personal assistants can aid you as little as a couple of hours a month to full-time.
Part-Time Business Assistants
The second category is part-time business assistants. These VAs are those who help you run your business behind the scenes. They take care of tasks that do not require the personal touch of the leading business owner but are still critical for the operations and functions of the business. High-performing business assistants take the time to learn your voice, your brand, and your preferences so that they may imitate you and create content that reflects you and your business.
Most part-time business assistants work anywhere from 5 to 20 hours a week for a client. They may have numerous clients and run a business themselves.
P.S. That would be what I (Chelsey) am categorized as!
Operations Manager
The final category for VAs is operation managers. Operation managers are fully integrated into the business structure and are relied on to complete a large amount of the business's daily requirements. They can handle just about anything in the business and act as a backup for the business owner.
Operation managers are typically full-time virtual assistants, ranging from 20 to 40 hours a week. They tend to solely work for you, with maybe one or two other small clients on the side.
Should I Get a Virtual Assistant?
Determining whether or not hiring a VA is the right move for you depends greatly on where you are at in your business, your budget, and the return on investment. Remember, VAs come in all shapes and sizes, with many being able to mold themselves to fit what you need and grow with you over time.
Hiring a virtual assistant was a big step for Julie, but I have been working with her for over a year now. If you would like to discuss the benefits of a virtual assistant and if they are a good choice for where you are at in your business, I encourage you to book a call with her.
Hire Crystal Clear Copy
As I said above, I classify myself as a part-time business assistant and ghostwriter. My primary services are anything that has to do with the written word or staying organized. I mainly offer content creation for blogs, articles, newsletters, social media, workbooks, and editing services. If you would like to get to know me and my business, I encourage you to review my website. You can also email me at Chelsey@crystalclearcopy.co to book a free consultation to discuss your options.
