How to prepare to work with a virtual assistant

If you’re new to working with a virtual assistant, finding out how to delegate tasks and collaborate efficiently with your virtual assistant can be a challenge at first. For most entrepreneurs, their businesses are like their “babies” and having a new person handling your “baby” can be a challenge, especially if you are used to doing everything by yourself. However, that shouldn’t be the case.

Here is what to prepare before you start working with your virtual assistant.

Determine which tasks you want to delegate.

Create a list of all the tasks that you do to run your business. On that list, categorize the tasks you enjoy doing and the ones that can be delegated to someone else. The more precise your list is, the easier it will be for you to assign tasks and explain precisely what you need done to your virtual assistant.

Organize your to-do list by priority.

Spend some time prioritizing your tasks and concentrating on the ones where you’re most active while outsourcing the rest to your future virtual assistant. You don’t have to outsource everything right away; however, having a list of tasks your virtual assistant can handle can help you plan for the next move.

Set a schedule for the activities you’ll need assistance with.

Set a specific expectation for your assistant about when you need these tasks done if you have ongoing tasks, whether regular, weekly, or monthly.

List all of the software and programs that you’ll be using with your virtual assistant.

Make sure you consider all the software and programs required to make it easy to start working with the new virtual assistant. Determine whether you’d like to get a virtual assistant who is well-versed in the software that you are using or if you’d be willing to teach the virtual assistant how to use the software.

Prepare how to share your login credentials and passwords securely.

Use password management softwares like Lastpass to share your passwords so that you keep your confidential information hidden while still allowing access to the accounts that you’d like the virtual assistant to use.

Create a clear job description.

Include details about their planned work schedule, processes to be used, communication strategies, deliverables, deadlines, and any particular tasks that need to be accomplished, among other things. You can also include what you don’t like and your pet-peeves to ensure that you only get people who match the description.

Hire the best virtual assistant candidate.

Giving a virtual assistant a real task to complete would allow you to gain a lot of useful insight into how they organize themselves, prioritize solving the task at hand, and evaluate how they produce the results of their work. A simple task successfully accomplished will reveal a lot about the virtual assistant.

If you find out that the virtual assistant is not a good fit, don’t be afraid to go back to the application and search phases.

If you are interested in working with a virtual assistant, Runnovate will help you find the best virtual assistants for your needs. Simply fill out this ‘Get Started’ form if you would like to work with Runnovate virtual assistants and you will get an email with the next steps. For questions, send us an email at info@runnovate.com.