As a small business owner, it’s hard not to fall into the trap of overworking yourself to the point of burnout. Oftentimes, we get so caught up in our routines, that we forget to consider the myriad of solutions available that could make our lives easier.
And in this case, that solution is a virtual assistant – they are seriously the unsung heroes of the working world.
A VA is able to take on a number of tedious tasks that eat away at your valuable time, allowing you to focus your attention on more high-level, revenue-generating tasks.
From overseeing your social channels to appointment scheduling, a virtual assistant can be an incredibly valuable< addition to your small business. Here’s why.
#1 They Knock Administrative Tasks out of the Park
All those emails flooding your inbox can be a nightmare and because you’re juggling so many responsibilities, important messages can easily slip through the cracks. From answering emails and phone calls to calendar management, there are virtual assistants out there for all scopes of work – web design, marketing, bookkeeping, you name it.
With a VA on your team, you have the opportunity to delegate all the time-consuming tasks that you just can’t keep managing on your own and be able to focus on core business tasks.
#2 Time…What’s That?
Many times, small business owners become so wrapped up in business work that they completely forget what it feels like to actually have some time to spend however they please.
The most valuable asset you can give someone is time because let’s face it, once it passes by, it’s gone for good. Don’t let paperwork and administrative tasks keep you from actually discovering what work-life balance means.
#3 Strengthen Your Online Footprint
Branding and social media are everything in today’s world. There’s just no escaping the fact that you need a consistent and compelling presence across channels like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. It builds brand loyalty, stimulates new business, and helps you paint yourself as a thought leader in your respective field.
But, be honest – have you been keeping up with it? Of course not, you don’t have time for that. Do you know who does? Your VA.
#4 Enhance Your Scalability
With a virtual assistant by your side, you’ll be able to scale operations with minimal risk. Think about it: growth requires capital. The most cost-effective way to reduce your spending and reinvest those saved dollars back into your business is through a VA.
They’ll substantially lower overhead associated with on-site employees. Hey, you can’t argue with maximizing your ROI when it comes to hiring decisions.
#5 Maximize Workflow & Improve Products/Services
What business – big or small – isn’t constantly exploring ways to improve processes and streamline operations?
When you have a VA:
They can adopt the responsibility of monitoring trends and news within your market, keep an eye on any conversations related to your brand on social networks or other platforms, perform in-depth and up-to-date competitive research, and collect valuable feedback from your clients.
Sometimes, a new set of eyes and a fresh perspective is what your business needs to take it to the next level.
#6 You Get a Lead and You Get a Lead
Okay, Oprah isn’t handing out leads. But, your virtual assistant can. Whether it’s through social campaigns, inbound marketing, website content, or other mediums, lead generation is one of the most pivotal facets of growing a business.
Your VA will be able to evaluate your leads, determine whether they’re a fit, and import those prospects into your database or CRM for follow-up.
#7 Keeping Your Books in Check
Admit it: you spend wayyyyyy too much time trying to organize and manage your books. Or worse, I know some of you out there have been completely neglecting them altogether (FYI – not a best practice).
That’s why you need a virtual assistant. A virtual bookkeeping expert can oversee your booking, handling things like invoice generation and expense reporting, taking these time-consuming tasks off of your hands.
#8 They Provide Excellent Customer Service
One of the most important things about sustaining a business? Retaining customers. That means offering high-quality customer service to your roster of clients.
A virtual assistant will be able to handle customer inquiries, follow-up with customers, craft email responses for your frequently asked questions, and respond to requests or complaints as they come in.
#9 Content is King
Painting yourself as an expert and authority figure in your industry is a vital part of demonstrating your value and building trust among your target audience.
Optimizing the customer experience means consistently creating compelling content about your products, services, or even industry trends, that’ll demonstrate your knowledge and provide relevant information that is specific to your ideal customer’s pain points and needs.
It’s no secret that creating content is extremely time-consuming. But, guess what?
That’s what a virtual assistant is for. From diving into the market research to publishing blog posts, articles, infographics, and more – your VA will be key in driving more traffic to your website.
#10 Do You Feel That? It’s Called “Peace of Mind”
This is just undeniably priceless. When you find someone who you trust and feel confident delegating tasks to, it’ll preserve your sanity and give you the peace of mind you’ve been missing.
Multi-tasking leads to sloppy mistakes and inhibits productivity. When you have a VA by your side, you’ll spend your time efficiently and effectively. What’s better than that, right?