Are you overwhelmed, understaffed or just plain tired of not having any spare time? Are you spending too much time on tasks you don’t enjoy doing? Well then, it is time for you to re-evaluate your business and personal priorities and consider hiring a Virtual Assistant.

Maybe you’ve thought about hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA), but thought it would be too expensive. Maybe you’re wondering what a Virtual Assistant can do for you. Maybe you don’t know how to begin delegating work to a VA.

The first step is making a list of all the tasks that you perform on a regular basis. You can make two lists, one for business tasks and one for personal items. Include everything from the tiniest detail to the largest project.

What does your list entail?
Take a good look at the list you compiled. Below are ideas of duties you could delegate to a VA. Identify where your list looks similar and where it differs. Add new things inspired by the list.

• E-mail management
• Order fulfillment
• On-line article submissions
• Website design and/or maintenance
• On-line seminar announcements
• Blog design and/or maintenance
• Press Release creation
• Copywriting
• Ghostwriting
• Client & Potential client letters
• Marketing campaign management
• Calendar management
• Real estate transaction management
• Real estate listing management
• Accounts payables & receivables
• Quotes and/or estimates
• Contact & Database management
• Event planning
• Travel arrangements
• Newsletter creation/management
• Desktop publishing
• Real estate listing flyers

Should You Outsource or Not?
Once your list is complete, for each item listed go back and ask yourself these questions:

• Is this something that I enjoy doing? If your answer is no, then make a point to outsource it. If your answer is yes, continue with the rest of the questions before determining whether to outsource it or not.
• How much time do I usually spend performing this task? If you enjoy the task, and it only takes a minimal amount of time, then continue doing it yourself. If it is something that takes a lot of your time, then it might be something to consider outsourcing, but continue with the rest of the questions before making a decision.
• Does performing this task take my focus away from other more important business or profit generating tasks? If you enjoy the task, but it takes up a lot of your time AND it takes your focus away from your profit generating tasks, then it is probably best to outsource the task. Focus on other things that allow you to grow your business.
• Is this something that can be done by someone else, even if a small amount of training or initial setup is involved? No matter the task, or how difficult you think it would be to outsource, more than likely there is a VA who specializes in just what you need.

There are tasks that as a business owner, you cannot or should not outsource, like attending a networking event or calling an important client to seal the deal.

Can I afford a VA?
The first question on your mind is can you afford a VA? Most people think hiring an assistant is expensive but studies have shown you can actually save money. Business owners, especially solopreneurs wear many hats. They perform duties that normally require the skills and experience of several people including marketing, bookkeeping, sales, customer service, administrative, website maintenance, order processor, shipping manager, advertising, and so many more.

How can you grow your business if you’re busy performing all these tasks? If you are occupied promoting and marketing your business who is doing the client work? You cannot be everything to everyone and trying to takes valuable time away from profit generating tasks designed to generate more business. Hiring an assistant frees up time for you to concentrate on the important tasks of growing your business, and it also frees up your mind because you know things are being done and done correctly. So if you are making more money, is hiring an assistant such a stretch? Do you think you would be throwing your money away?

A VA can give you more time to make money, along with less stress and more time for yourself, your family and your business. A VA is a very affordable alternative to trying to do everything yourself. After all, isn’t one of the perks of being a business owner supposed to be more freedom?

So what could you do with an extra 5, 10, or 20 hours a week? Or 20, 40 and 80 hours a month? August 1-7th is National Simplify Your Life Week. What can you do to simplify your life? Read more about National Simplify Your Life Week here.

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