Hiring a virtual assistant can save time and improve workflows
Key takeaways:
- Virtual assistants can handle a wide range of tasks for your business.
- If you’re working more than you want, they can lift that burden.
- They can take over administrative tasks that are causing you stress.
- They can assist with more complicated tasks such as bookkeeping or social media management.
- Virtual assistants can support your customer service efforts.
- They provide you with an affordable way to scale.
- They almost always cost less than hiring an assistant internally.
- You can decide when your virtual assistant works based on your needs.
Virtual assistants (VAs) take care of all kinds of time-consuming tasks at companies, giving owners and managers the freedom to focus on the core essentials. If you’re struggling to stay on top of workflows, it may be time to consider a VA. Luckily, you don’t have to find one of your own — a reputable business process outsourcing (BPO) company can help you handle the process.
Wondering if you can benefit from working with a virtual assistant? Trying to decide if now is the right time to seek extra help? This guide will help you make the right choice. Here are five signs that it’s time to reach out for extra help from a VA.
1. You're working more than desired
Launching and running a business can be exhausting! For the first few years (or decades), entrepreneurs pour a significant amount of time into their organizations. A hands-on approach can be instrumental to your success, but you also need to ensure that you have time for the other parts of your life.
Working excessive hours can lead to burnout and hurt you in the long run. If you’re working more than is healthy, it may be time to find someone who can help. A VA can take on a wide range of tasks. They can save you time and reduce your stress.
2. You're stressed out about constant administrative tasks
In some cases, you may be the only one who can handle certain tasks. However, to be a successful business owner, you need the ability to look critically at your to-do list and identify tasks you can delegate. You don’t have to do everything yourself and it pulls you down in the long run.
In particular, you should delegate administrative/personal/repetitive tasks, especially if they’re adding stress to your life. This includes organizing your schedule, managing your email inbox, helping with digital marketing tasks, doing data entry, bookkeeping, sending invoices, issuing purchase orders, or a wide range of other jobs. When you work with a BPO company to find a VA, they can help you find someone who has the skill set you need.
3. You're looking for affordable ways to scale
Ideally, you shouldn’t wait until your schedule is burning you out or your to-do list is too stress-inducing to grow. Instead, you should take a more proactive approach to obtain help. As soon as you’re ready for your business to grow, consider looking for a VA.
For instance, if your goal is to grow your customer base, expand your marketing reach, or increase your revenue, you should create a support system to help you reach these goals as quickly as possible.
Then, as your business expands, you don’t have to stop and find help. Instead, you already have the support you need ready to go. For example, if you launch a marketing campaign to attract extra customers, you need someone ready and able to answer the phone or respond to emails when they start contacting you. If you don’t, you may lose those prospects.
VAs give you an affordable way to scale your business. The cost of hiring a virtual assistant from an educated country like The Philippines is up to 70% lower than the cost of hiring internally in Europe, Australia, and the United States.
4. You don't have office space for an assistant
Hiring internally is typically the most common alternative to hiring or contracting a VA. Because that’s the traditional approach, many business owners are instinctively more comfortable with it. This is simply due to familiarity and doesn’t usually give you the best economical outcome.
An internal hire comes with a lot of extra expenses. In most cases, the applicant will demand a higher salary than a VA and require office space and equipment. If you don’t have office space and you want to save money on salary and benefits, a VA makes that possible.
5. You want to expand your customer service
Your customers are one of the most important elements of your business. If you don’t have them, you don’t have any revenue or profits. A VA can help you improve your approach to customer service.
Again, their role can vary based on your business’s unique needs. You may want to hire a VA to answer customer service calls during the hours your business is closed. You may want them to answer emails, respond to social media comments, or handle other aspects of your customer service.
You can even opt to have them answer all of your business’s calls and emails. You can provide them with training so they can answer select questions or concerns. Then, if a customer needs more advanced support, you can have the VA route them to the correct person in your organization.
Depending on your needs, a VA can work a set schedule, or they can be ready to help you on demand. They can start with menial tasks or dive into more complicated support issues. The important thing is to identify when you need help and reach out for support as soon as possible.
Contact Doxa7 to learn how a VA can help your business thrive
If you are bogged down by constant administrative or other tasks and need help, it may be time for a VA. At Doxa 7, we can connect you with highly skilled labor at an economical price. We are committed to helping our clients grow their businesses, and hiring a VA through our BPO company can save you time and money compared to the cost of hiring locally.
To learn how a VA can free up your time and allow you to focus on scaling, contact us today for a free consultation. We will talk with you about your needs and help you find the best fit for your company.
