Starting this week I’m going to be experimenting with a virtual assistant to help me and Chess Media Group get tasks done. Over the past few months I’ve spent far too much time on tasks that can easily be delegated to someone else such as email, basic research, information gathering, and document creation. I’ll admit that although I’ve been considering hiring a virtual assistant for some time that it was Tim Ferriss’s book the Four Hour Workweek, that finally pushed me over the edge to actually get started with a VA.
The company that we are using is the top rated VA company on Elance called Transform Solution. I wasn’t able to find anyone complaining about privacy issues with them and we have a secure contract and NDA in place with as well. In addition Tranform also has their own safety measures implemented internally to help avoid any unethical conduct. Needless to say, I feel quite safe working with them and so does every other business that’s been using their solution. Most of the people I have spoken to all say that you have to give up some amount of control in order to make your VA experience the most impactful, and I’m completely fine with that. The goal is to eventually build a relationship with the VA to make him a part of the team. I want someone that make decisions on my behalf (up to a certain extent) so that I can focus on other things.
I’ve been trying to make it a habit to only check emails twice a day at 11am and 4pm. Anything in between that window will be read and responded to by my assistant. All scheduling of meetings, calendars, events, demos, and anything else that goes on my calendar will be done by my VA so chances are if you email me my VA will see the email and will probably be the one to respond to you. I will see all the responses sent by the VA and will respond where only I can (and the VA doesn’t know how).
I’m not going to say go out and hire a VA since we’re literally getting started this week, however I will be writing about my experiences and tips/ideas that I have for anyone looking to get a VA. In the meantime if you have any questions at all on getting started with a VA please feel free to ask me in the comments section and I will respond. I am hoping that working with a VA will greatly free up my time to focus more on the business issues of greater importance such as partnerships, new site design, new business, and product offering. I’m also hoping to get some more personal free time as well.
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