With any relationship in your life, the root of 99% of the conflict that may arise is unmet and unvoiced expectations. It’s no different in the client/VA relationship. Many people have absolutely no clue how to work with a virtual assistant, so they just assign a task and wash their hands of the situation. This approach to working with a VA will, inevitably, fail because you and your VA will become so frustrated with one another. Here are some things to keep in mind when assigning tasks to your VA. Follow these tips to ensure a desired outcome, and to continue a great working relationship with your VA.
Give All the Necessary Information Up Front
Take the time to give all of the information for completing a task to your VA, up front. Doing so will cut down on the back and forth communication that really just wastes everybody’s time. Also, ask your VA if they have any questions before beginning something new. Ideally, a VA should be comfortable with seeking out answers to their questions at any time, but opening the lines of communication in the beginning establishes a positive business relationship right from the start.
Be Available
If your VA can’t get in contact with you if they have issues, they can’t do their work. And if they can’t do their work, your business suffers. You don’t need to be available to your VA 24/7, but they should have at least one way to get in touch with you. In addition, be prompt with your replies. Keep in mind that if you don’t respond for a week, your work isn’t getting done for a week or it will be done incorrectly.
Document What You Need Done
If you’re the type of person who’s not available or who is too busy to speak to often, or if you just hate managing others, then document exactly what you need done. Include every single detail. Then just pass these instructions on to your VA, and let them take care of it.
It’ll take some time to figure out how your relationship with your VA will work. Some VAs check in with their clients weekly, some check in daily. If you have expectations, you need to voice them immediately. Don’t assume your VA knows or understands what you want.
