Do you remember the movie “Multiplicity” with Michael Keaton?  He played the harried father who cloned himself  because he had so much to do.  As a business owner, I can definitely relate.  This week’s guest author, Janet Barclay, shares why virtual assistants are the solution to the “multiple hats syndrome.”

When I tell people that I help small business owners to maximize their online presence by setting up and maintaining their websites, blogs, and social networks, it’s not unusual for them to say, “People actually pay for that?” My answer to those folks is a resounding “YES!”

For thousands of businesses around the world, the virtual assistant is an essential team member who allows them to spend less time on administrative, technical, and/or creative tasks, and more time on profit-generating activities.  For example, if you run a one-person operation, it may be difficult for you to keep track of the people who contact you about your services. You can hire a VA to enter the information into a database and then notify you when it’s time for a phone call, or even send follow up messages on your behalf. If this leads to even one of those contacts becoming a client, the service will have paid for itself.

As another example, it probably takes you at least two hours to put together and send out your monthly newsletter. If you delegate that work to a virtual assistant, that’s two hours you’ve just freed up for billable work or to meet with prospective clients. Over the course of a year, that extra income can really add up!

So, for starters, you can see that a virtual assistant saves you time, and we all know that in the world of business, time is money.  In most cases, a virtual assistant is also a cost-effective alternative to hiring an employee, because you don’t need to provide office space or equipment, nor do you have to pay for vacation, holidays, sick time, benefits, downtime, or any time that’s not spent working on your business. Some VAs don’t even require you to commit to a minimum number of hours per week or month!

Of course, it’s not just about the money…

When you started your business, you probably didn’t count on working 12 hour days, plus weekends, but maybe you’ve found it’s the only way you can stay on top of everything that needs to be done. When you outsource the tasks that are consuming your time and encroaching on your personal life, you’ll have more time for leisure and social activities, and as a result, you’ll be a happier and healthier person.

If you’re worried that you don’t have the time to train a virtual assistant, keep in mind that there are VAs who specialize in e-commerce, social media, virtual event planning, real estate assistance, and many other areas, so you can probably find someone who already has the expertise to support your business.

In many cases, your virtual assistant will be more proficient than you at certain tasks, and will be able to complete them with greater accuracy and in less time than if you did them yourself. Furthermore, when you work with an experienced VA, they may very well offer suggestions and ideas to enhance your business in ways that you’d never thought of yourself.

Would you rather spend hours chained to your computer, struggling to learn new applications, or hire a professional and free up your time and energy for bigger and better things?

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About the Author

Janet Barclay is the co-owner of Organized Assistant, a virtual assistant service specializing in online marketing support, including website and blog design, and maintenance.  She has earned certification as a Shopping Cart Specialist and Master Virtual Assistant, and is the Founder and Director of the Golden Horseshoe Virtual Assistants Group.

Connect With Janet: Web | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

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