Emily Kane
Set expectations up front: It’s okay to set ground rules and communicate what is important to you – your virtual assistant will appreciate knowing how to keep you happy. Just be sure that it is done tactfully, as the person you are working with (like anyone else in the world) will be put off if they are being talked down to.
Help them see the big picture: Rather than assigning random work to your virtual assistant, tell them how it fits into your business. With this information, they can do a better job on your task – and probably find ways to make it better for your purpose. Over time, as they learn more about your business and what you are doing, they will become more valuable to you.
Describe the end result, not just how to get there: Tell them what you envision the end result to look like. If you have an idea of what you want back, communicate it! It’s unlikely your VA will produce exactly what you want by chance. Having a clear picture of the destination also helps fill in gaps in instruction along the way.
Be patient when they need clarification: Unless they are asking questions you’ve already answered, it’s perfectly understandable that a virtual assistant wants to be sure they understand something in its entirety before jumping in. No two minds think alike or describe things the same way, so you can expect that questions will arise. Interpret it as a sign of conscientiousness and diligence.
Give feedback on every task: Good, bad, or in between – let your VA know how they did. Basic management principles apply to virtual assistants too! Let them know what they did right, what they did wrong, and how to do it better next time. It’s the combination of both positive feedback and constructive critiques that make for a good working relationship.
Check in on a schedule: We believe that a virtual assistant should be more of a “partner” relationship that an “assistant” relationship. We are more valuable to you if you frame the relationship that way too. A virtual assistant needs to kept in the loop and communicated with frequently so that they can help you as much as possible. Without regular communication, we are hindered!
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