Posts made in September, 2011

Hiring a Virtual Assistant: 4 Things to Consider

Hiring a virtual assistant is an important decision. These kinds of business services are actually very diverse, though, and finding the right fit for you is critical a successful relationship. Here’s a quick primer on the major differences between virtual assistance offerings, and what they mean for you as a business owner: Foreign vs. Domestic A foreign virtual assistant will be cheaper, but a language barrier can make it...

Tips for Working with a Virtual Assistant: Get Creative

Virtual assistance is extremely flexible — a client purchases a block of time, and they can use it however they like. While this creates an almost overwhelming number of ways we can help, it is best to look at the work that needs to be done… And then decide where a virtual assistant could best help you. It may mean delegating initiatives you never seem to get to, having them take over something routine that isn’t the best use of...

Tips for Working with a Virtual Assistant: Delegate Something Neglected

There are probably projects and tasks in your business that get neglected – either because you attach an idea pain to getting them done, or you just never seem to have enough time to get to them. The emotional stress and cognitive burden of these tasks should not be underestimated, and the positive impact of having these tasks consistently handled makes them a high-leverage assignment that can set you at ease and strengthen your...

Tips for Working with a Virtual Assistant: Lead Time

A virtual assistant’s time is divided among clients. Obviously, this means that they’re not sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for a particular client to send in work. Rather, they are constantly busy and managing different deadlines. This works well as long as every client is not sending in urgent work. By giving us plenty of lead time on projects, we are able to complete the work on time – and do a...

Tips for Working With a Virtual Assistant: Communication, Communication, Communication

At LongerDays, we realize that part of hiring a virtual assistant is rooted in convenience. We do our best to keep a client’s time obligations to a minimum, and bug them as little as possible. However, it is inevitable that we will (at times) need things from a client to complete a task they’ve delegated… Typically, we need more information. Whenever a LongerDays team member asks a client for clarification or additional...