7 min read Who Should Be the First Employee to Hire for Growing Businesses?
With the rise of the gig-based economy, freelancers, e-commerce shop owners, bloggers, and other self-employed business owners are thriving. The opportunity to start and grow a business from scratch is exciting and empowering.
However, running a small business on your own is challenging. Initially, you may think you can handle everything alone, but soon enough, you can become overwhelmed with tasks, deadlines, and sales issues. Before you know it, you're swamped and don't know where to start.
You've probably seen others successfully launch their businesses without hiring full-time staff. So, what's their secret?
Chances are, they've hired a virtual assistant to take some responsibilities off their hands, allowing them to focus on running the business. Want to know more? Keep reading to learn how you can hire a virtual assistant to help scale your business.
What does a virtual assistant do exactly?
A virtual assistant, also known as a VA, is an independent contractor or freelancer who is hired to handle daily administrative tasks and other business services. They are especially useful for solo entrepreneurs when the workload becomes overwhelming and time-consuming, hindering growth opportunities. A VA is like a personal assistant, but focuses more on general tasks for the company.
Virtual assistants work remotely and their responsibilities can vary depending on their skills and your business needs. Typically, VAs assist with general tasks that don't require specialized training, such as data entry, appointment scheduling, email management, online research, social media management, creating presentations, bookkeeping, file organization, customer service, and lead generation. Some virtual assistants may also have specialized skills like graphic design, web development, and marketing.
Why hire a virtual assistant?
There are numerous benefits to hiring a virtual assistant. Outsourcing tasks can significantly impact the success of your business, especially as a start-up. It adds value without the need for additional staff, making it cost-effective. VAs can help you stay organized, track deadlines, and important dates, ensuring you never miss a beat.
Moreover, you don't have to worry about setting up an office space or providing supplies. You can employ a virtual assistant from anywhere at any time, and even hire multiple VAs to have continuous support. Most importantly, it frees up your valuable time to focus on growth and profitability.
How to hire a virtual assistant?
Before hiring a virtual assistant, it's crucial to determine your needs and budget. You should also outline the qualifications required for a VA to work specifically for your business, just as you would with a full-time employee. Factors such as language, location, professional experience, and available budget should be considered.
Once you find a suitable virtual assistant, it's essential to define your expectations and communication methods clearly. Clear communication upfront will ensure a successful working relationship.
Use onegigs to find the best virtual assistant for your business.
Ready to hire a VA? The best place to start your search is online. You can explore social media, LinkedIn, or virtual job boards. However, freelance marketplaces like onegigs will provide you with a diverse pool of professional candidates. onegigs offers a wide range of experienced and skilled freelancers who provide virtual assistant services. Each assistant is unique, and you can find the best fit for your business by vetting onegigs's talent network of virtual assistants and personal assistants.