You did it, you booked your consult call with a Virtual Assistant, now what?
A consult call is like an interview where you (the client) and the virtual assistant are getting to know one another and trying to figure out if you are a good fit. While there are hundreds of appropriate questions, I have narrowed it down to what I believe are the top 3 that will give you a sense of the VA’s background and skill level, communication style and ability to problem solve. Let’s dive right in!
How Did you become a Virtual Assistant?
I know, this question seems basic, and it is. But the beauty of this question is that it allows you to find out work experience and education level in very natural, non-threatening, way. It’s an easy way for you to:
*Weed out the self-proclaimed Virtual Assistants who don’t have a degree and haven’t worked as an assistant before.
*Pick up on their communication style.
*Gauge their confidence level.
When you know someone’s background, you can be comfortable in their abilities to represent you and your company.
Do you charge for training?
Basic question number 2. While VA’s are usually trained in everything from email management to website design and social media, there may be a time when they come across something they have never done before. When this happens, they will either charge you for their time spent training, or they will learn the skill on their own and you won’t be charged. Personally, I never charge for training. It’s an investment in my company and skill set. Regardless of whether they charge for training, it’s something you should know before you hire a Virtual Assistant since paying for training can end up costing you a lot more.
I know I need a Virtual Assistant, but I’m not sure where to start…help!
You got me, this is more of a statement, but it’s one that you should discuss with your VA. A lot of potential clients know they need help, great first step, but they don’t always know how to articulate where they need the help or know what is appropriate to delegate. This is where a seasoned VA can shine! A few basic questions your VA could ask you are below.
*What are some common tasks or projects you do on a weekly/monthly basis?
*Are there tasks or projects you dread doing or aren’t a good use of your time?
By answering the above questions, a VA should be able to pinpoint what essential areas you can outsource in order to improve your efficiency and drive sales and revenue. By understanding what you don’t like to do and areas that aren’t a good use of your time, you can easily get an idea of where a VA could start helping you today.
See, that was painless!
Now that you know a few questions you can ask during a consult call, remember that you need to choose a Virtual Assistant you’re comfortable with, and a consult call is not a contract. It’s a first step in finding your Virtual counterpart…the yin to your work yang. Once you find the Virtual Assistant that is right for you, get ready for your life to change in the BEST way possible.