The Virtual Assistant Solution: Come up for Air, Offload the Work You Hate, and Focus on What You Do Best by Michael Hyatt

Author:Michael Hyatt [Hyatt, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Fleming House Publishers
Published: 2013-11-14T14:00:00+00:00

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Answering the Most Common Questions

Most people considering a virtual assistant have a flood of questions. I would encourage you to record all your specific concerns as they come to you. You’ll want to review these with whatever service you choose to consider.

I get all kinds of questions about working with my virtual assistant, but these seven are the ones I get most often.

1. Does It Matter If I Choose a Domestic or International Virtual Assistant?

It really comes down to expectations. If you want your virtual assistant to do things that don’t have any language, religious, or cultural nuances, then an international assistant might be a good fit. There are certainly many options to choose from when your criteria are completing basic tasks.

But if your virtual assistant is going to have extensive contact with your clients, vendors, and team, you may run into challenges with language, customs, and communication cues. And don’t forget: a time difference could further complicate the international choice.

I have used both and prefer domestic assistants. And from everything I can tell, those who benefit the most from their virtual assistant recognize the value of having someone domestically based who can serve as a partner rather than someone who simply checks boxes. Yes, you will pay more, but speaking for myself, the difference in service is worth the added investment.

2. What Are the Broad Categories of Options Available?

There are really three ways virtual assistants are assigned, based on the company you choose to work with.

One is in a random call center group. You may or may not work with the same assistant each time. This applies a manufacturing model to the option with very little downtime. The advantage of this is that you don’t have to worry about someone not being available. The downside is you will have a variety of personalities to manage rather than just one.

Another popular model is to assign one virtual assistant per group of clients. Think of this like a co-op. You’re not connected to just one individual, but you do have access to someone you know by name. The response time isn’t quite as fast or as personal as a dedicated virtual assistant. This is more of an account-manager model.

The most effective model is one where you are able to build a solid working relationship between you and a virtual assistant who is uniquely matched to your personality and expectations. You may not be the only client of this particular virtual assistant, but the total number of clients per virtual assistant is limited to allow for a highly interactive and personalized experience.

3. What Kind of Traits Should I Look for in a Virtual Assistant?

Virtual assistant services like eaHELP screen their people for traits and skills that increase the chance of success. As far as I’m concerned, here’s what matters most:

Responsiveness. Being attentive and taking initiative isn’t something you can teach an adult. You either practice it or you don’t. You should look for a virtual assistant who can take the ball and run, someone with a get-it-done attitude.

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