If you’re someone that manages every aspect of your business right down to the admin it sounds like it’s time you look at outsourcing. You may be getting to the stage where you are trying to decide whether you should take an employee or finding another means to get some assistance; however there are a few things you need to consider before you do so.
1. Will you have enough work to keep someone employed?
2. Will your employee have set hours & days?
3. Are you prepared to pay tax, superannuation, insurance and other benefits for an employee?
4. Do you have an office space?
5. Is your office set up properly (e.g. computer, printer, and phone system)?
If you answered no to 2 or more above have you considered hiring a Virtual Assistant?
What’s a Virtual Assistant?
Virtual Assistants are Business owners like yourself; we provide you with support, helping you manage different aspects of your business so you can continue to grow your clientele. We try to take some of the stress off your shoulders so you can gain back some precious time to your day so you can focus on what is important.
What tasks can a Virtual Assistant help me with?
In some ways this can be like asking how long is a piece of string. There are many types of VAs some specializing in Real Estate, Law, Web Design & Marketing and then you have your General VA. So what can you outsource to your VA.? Here’s a list that I’ve come up with the most popular tasks.
1. Social Media Creation & Management
2. Website Design
3. Blogging
4. Uploading blogs on WordPress
5. Marketing
6. Customer Service Support
7. Following up outstanding invoices
8. Transcription
9. Diary Management
10. Email Management
11. Booking Appointments
12. Online Research
13. Bookkeeping
14. Collating Business Cards and creating mailing lists
15. Holiday Cover
16. Email Newsletters
17. PowerPoint Presentations
18. Sourcing Quotes
19. Organizing transport and flights
20. Event Management
So what are the benefits of hiring a VA?
1. We’re on demand. We work when you have the work so you are not paying an employee to sit around with nothing to do.
2. Flexible Hours. Depending on your VA working hours vary and won’t only be limited to 9am – 5pm on weekdays, this is especially helpful if you have deadlines.
3. No obligation to pay benefits. As a VA is an independent contractor you are not obligated to pay benefits such as tax, superannuation, insurance, holiday pay and other benefits.
4. Save on overheads and equipment. A VA has their own equipment & an established office space so they can assist you remotely. If you run a home business you have peace of mind that someone is helping you manage your business without them being in your home.
How do you know whether you’re hiring the right VA?
There are a couple of Australian based Virtual Assistant networks that have actually taken some of the legwork out for you. If you see a badge on a VAs website that says they are Reference Checked that means that at least 3 previous clients of that VA have been contacted for feedback, the badge is given once all questions have been satisfied.
On top of a Reference Checked badge have a look at previous testimonials on their website and reviews on Facebook, this will at least give you a good starting point for finding your ideal VA.
How TLB Admin Support Can Help You
The majority of our services are offered remotely hence we are Virtual Assistants and they include General Administration, Creative Services like WordPress Websites and Animated Videos and Social Media; however we do offer onsite support to those businesses that need some help managing in-house tasks on a casual basis. If you would like to arrange an obligation free consultation or you are after more information please contact me at tammy@tlbadminsupport.com.au.