Virtual Assistant Insights Archives - TASK Virtual Assistant, LLC

delegate, business overwhelm, admin support

When to Hire a Virtual Assistant: The 7 Triggers You Can’t Ignore

Most small business owners don’t wake up one morning and say, “Today feels like the perfect day to hire a virtual assistant.”

Instead, it usually looks more like this:

→You’re answering emails at night.
→You’re squeezing admin work in between client calls.
→Your task list keeps growing, but your energy doesn’t.

And somewhere in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, There has to be a better way.

Spoiler alert: there is.

Hiring a virtual assistant isn’t a sign that you’ve failed or lost control. It’s a sign that your business has grown — and your systems haven’t caught up yet.

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s “too soon,” “too expensive,” or “too complicated” to get help, let’s clear the air. Here are seven triggers you can’t ignore that tell you it’s time to stop doing everything yourself.

Trigger #1: You’re Always Busy, But Rarely Feel Productive

You’re working all day. Sometimes nights. Occasionally weekends.

And yet…

Important projects stall.

Ideas stay half-finished.

Growth feels slow.

That’s because being busy isn’t the same as being effective.

If your days are filled with reactive tasks — emails, scheduling, follow-ups, formatting, posting — there’s no room left for strategy, planning, or creativity. A virtual assistant helps by handling the operational noise so you can focus on work that actually moves your business forward.

Trigger #2: Your Inbox Is a Source of Stress

If opening your email makes your shoulders tense, we need to talk.

An unmanaged inbox creates:

Missed messages
Late replies
Lost opportunities
Constant distraction

And it quietly drains your mental energy all day long.

A virtual assistant can filter, flag, respond, organize, and follow up — turning your inbox from a stress factory into a streamlined communication tool.

This alone is often the first “aha” moment for clients.

Trigger #3: Admin Tasks Are Eating Prime Business Hours

If you’re doing administrative work during your most productive hours, you’re trading high-value time for low-value tasks.

Things like:

Scheduling
Data entry
File organization
Research
CRM updates
Invoicing prep

These tasks matter — but they don’t require you.

A virtual assistant handles the necessary backend work, so your best energy goes toward clients, revenue, and growth.

Trigger #4: You Keep Saying “I’ll Get to That Later”

Marketing plans. Content ideas. System cleanups. Process documentation.

You know they’re important — but they always get pushed to “later.”

Later turns into months.

Months turn into missed opportunities.

A virtual assistant doesn’t just execute tasks — they help create consistency.

When someone else is accountable for moving things forward, “someday” finally becomes “done.”

Trigger #5: You’re the Bottleneck in Your Own Business

If everything has to go through you, everything slows down...YOU are the bottleneck.

That includes:

Client communication
Decisions
Approvals
Updates
Progress

When you’re the only one keeping things moving, growth becomes exhausting.

Delegation removes the bottleneck. With the right support, work flows smoothly, even when you step away — and that’s when businesses truly become sustainable.

Trigger #6: You’re Avoiding Work You Don’t Enjoy

Let’s be honest — not every task lights you up.

If you find yourself procrastinating on:

→Social media posting
→Email follow-ups
→Organization
→Tech cleanup
→Routine admin

It’s not laziness. It’s misalignment.

A virtual assistant allows you to stay in your zone of genius while someone else handles the work that drains you.

Your business should support you — not the other way around.

Trigger #7: You’re Running on Fumes

This one matters most.

If you’re constantly tired, overwhelmed, or irritable, your business isn’t just costing you time — it’s costing you well-being.

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It builds quietly through ignored boundaries and unchecked workloads.

Hiring a virtual assistant isn’t indulgent. It’s protective. And it’s often the difference between burning out and building something that lasts.

If you’re still unsure how a Virtual Assistant can actually help, here are just a few things you can outsource and get out from under the mess:

Email and inbox management
Calendar scheduling and coordination
Client follow-ups
Admin organization
Content formatting and scheduling
Research and data entry
Workflow setup and cleanup

You don’t have to outsource everything. You just need to start with what gives you the biggest relief.

**Why Waiting Too Long Costs More Than Getting Help**

Many business owners delay delegation because they’re worried about cost.

But here’s the real cost:

Missed opportunities
Delayed growth
Exhaustion
Lost focus
Constant stress

Time is the one thing you can’t get back. The sooner you protect it, the better your business — and life — will feel.

It might be time for a conversation

If any of these triggers felt uncomfortably familiar.

I help small business owners delegate with confidence, build better systems, and finally get out of the chaos— without overwhelm or pressure.

👉 Let's Talk About What Support Could Look Like For Your Business

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What’s the Difference Between a Virtual Assistant and an AI Assistant?

Virtual Assistant Insights

What’s the Difference Between a Virtual Assistant and an AI Assistant?

The other day I told someone I’ve been helping Virtual Assistants grow their businesses since 2003. Their response?

“Oh, like Siri?”

I had to laugh out loud at that one — but it also made me realize something important.

Apparently, to the younger crowd, “Virtual Assistant (VA)” means an AI bot that sets your reminders, tells you the weather, and maybe plays your sad-girl playlist when you break up with Chad. (Thanks, Alexa.)

But here’s the thing: when I say Virtual Assistant, I mean a real human professional — not a robot in your pocket. And trust me, if you’ve ever hired a Virtual Assistant for your business, you know they’re about as far from Siri as you can get.

This generational language gap is hilarious — and a little concerning. Let’s break it down:

Boomers: “Oh, like an executive secretary but online?”
Millennials: “My Virtual Assistant helps me manage my inbox, my social media, and my sanity.”
Gen Z: “Cool, can your Virtual Assistant order me a burrito like Alexa?”

Somewhere between the early 2000s and today, the definition of Virtual Assistant shifted. And while AI assistants have their place, let’s set the record straight on what a Virtual Assistant really is.

A Short History of the Virtual Assistant Industry

The phrase Virtual Assistant didn’t appear out of thin air. It has roots going back over two decades:

1990s: As internet access improved, entrepreneurs started experimenting with hiring remote administrative support.
Early 2000s: The term “Virtual Assistant” was coined to describe skilled professionals offering business services online. (This is when I launched the Virtual Assistant Networking Association in 2003 — we were trailblazers before Zoom was even a thing.)
2011–2014: Siri and Alexa burst onto the scene, and suddenly “Virtual Assistant” meant a chatty robot who sometimes misunderstands you.
2020s: AI exploded into mainstream use (hello, ChatGPT), and now the confusion is everywhere. Businesses Google ‘hire a Virtual Assistant’ and half the results are software bots instead of real people offering Virtual Assistant services.

But here’s the truth: the Virtual Assistant profession was built by humans, for humans. It’s a legitimate, global industry where freelancers provide valuable business support.

What Is a Virtual Assistant, Really?

Let’s get crystal clear.

A Virtual Assistant is:

A real human freelancer who runs their own business.
Someone who provides Virtual Assistant services like admin support, marketing, customer care, bookkeeping, tech troubleshooting, or project management.
A professional you can hire to lighten your workload, grow your business, and keep you sane.

A Virtual Assistant is NOT:

Siri
Alexa
Google Assistant
ChatGPT (sorry friend, but you’re not invoicing clients anytime soon)

Virtual Assistant Services: What They Can Actually Do

When you hire a Virtual Assistant, you’re hiring a professional who can handle tasks like:

Managing your inbox and calendar.
Creating content for your blog, newsletters, or social media.
Handling customer service requests with actual empathy.
Organizing projects and coordinating deadlines.
Running marketing campaigns.
Bookkeeping, invoicing, and tracking expenses.

In short, a Virtual Assistant keeps your business running smoothly while you focus on growth.

Compare that to asking Siri to book your flight: “Here’s what I found on the web.” Yeah, not the same.

Real Stories of Virtual Assistants in Action

Want proof? Let’s look at what human Virtual Assistants do in the real world:

A business owner drowning in 2,000 unread emails hired a Virtual Assistant who set up systems, filtered the junk, and created templates. By the end of the week, the inbox was manageable, and client satisfaction was up.
A coach wanted to launch an online course but was overwhelmed with tech. Their Virtual Assistant set up the entire system — from landing pages to payment processors — and the launch doubled expected sales.
A small e-commerce shop outsourced customer service to a Virtual Assistant who handled complaints with care. Result? Repeat buyers, glowing reviews, and a lot less stress for the owner.
From coaches and consultants to e-commerce shops and busy entrepreneurs, businesses of all sizes hire Virtual Assistants to save time and grow smarter.

Notice the pattern? These are things no bot is going to do well — because they require judgment, personalization, and good old-fashioned human care.

5 Things a Virtual Assistant Can Do That AI Never Will

Let’s get cheeky. Here are five things you can expect from a human Virtual Assistant that no AI bot can deliver:

Read the Room. A Virtual Assistant knows when NOT to send that pitch email because the client is at their mom’s funeral. A bot? Not so much.
Creativity. AI can spit out words, but only a human Virtual Assistant can make them sound like you.
Encourage You. Bots don’t cheer you on. Your Virtual Assistant will send you a GIF and a “you’ve got this!” on launch day.
Handle the Chaos. Three time zones, ten personalities, one looming deadline. AI short-circuits. A Virtual Assistant thrives.
Care. Real, human, heartfelt care. That’s something no code can replicate.

Funny Scenarios: Ask Siri vs Ask a Virtual Assistant

Let’s play a game:

Ask Siri to reconcile your books.
Siri: “Sorry, I don’t understand the word QuickBooks.”
Ask Alexa to manage your client relationships.
Alexa: “Playing ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears.”
Ask a Virtual Assistant the same questions.
Virtual Assistant: “Done, organized, and the client just emailed to say thank you.”

See the difference?

Why the Confusion Matters

Here’s where this generational mix-up gets serious.

For businesses: If you search “hire a Virtual Assistant” and land on AI bots instead of real professionals, you’re missing out on the support that can actually scale your business.
For freelancers: If you’re building a career as a Virtual Assistant, you don’t want to be lumped in with free tech tools. Your expertise deserves recognition and fair pay.

This is why defining and protecting the Virtual Assistant profession is so important.

The Future of Virtual Assistants in the Age of AI

Now here’s the twist: Virtual Assistants aren’t ignoring AI. They’re using it.

In fact, we even teach it inside our AIVAmastery.com course — showing Virtual Assistants how to integrate AI into their businesses so they can save time, serve clients better, and stay ahead of the curve in the Virtual Assistant industry.

The most successful Virtual Assistants today leverage AI to make their services more efficient, creative, and scalable:

AI drafts → the VA polishes.
AI analyzes → the VA interprets.
AI reminds → the VA implements.

Instead of replacing Virtual Assistants, AI is becoming a powerful tool in their toolkit

Businesses win because they get the best of both worlds: cutting-edge tech combined with the human touch.

Virtual Assistants Aren’t Robots — They’re Better

So, let’s clear it up once and for all:

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is not Siri. Not Alexa. Not ChatGPT. A Virtual Assistant is a real human freelancer who runs their own business and supports clients with administrative, technical, and creative services — think calendars and emails, websites and tech, blogs and graphics.

Virtual Assistants aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re the ones helping businesses use AI smarter while still providing the empathy, creativity, and strategy no robot can replicate.

So next time someone says, “Oh, you’re like Siri?” smile and say:

“Nope. Better. I’m a Virtual Assistant — a real human helping real businesses thrive.”

And if you want to join the longest-running Virtual Assistant community online (since 2003, thank you very much), come hang out with us at VAnetworking.com.

And if you’re ready to level up your skills with AI, check out our AIVAmastery.com training program built specifically for Virtual Assistants.

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Delegation Made Easy: Why Every Business Owner Needs a Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistant Insights

Delegation Made Easy: Why Every Business Owner Needs a Virtual Assistant

Running a small business isn't just about keeping the wheels turning; it's about maximizing your efficiency while maintaining quality. But let's be honest: as a business owner, you probably wear a lot of hats. And after a while, those hats start to feel heavy. There are only so many hours in the day, and only so much coffee you can drink before burnout hits.

That's where a Virtual Assistant (VA) comes in. Imagine having a reliable partner to handle the time-consuming tasks that drain your energy, leaving you to focus on what you actually want to do. Sounds like a dream? It's not. It's reality, and it's more accessible than you think.

I'll break down the why and how of delegating key tasks to a Virtual Assistant, so you can take your business to the next level without the stress. Ready to see how simple it can be to delegate your way to success?

Why Delegation is Key for Small Business Owners

Small business owners are Jacks and Janes of all trades. But that doesn't mean you should do everything. Here's why delegation is essential:

Maximize Productivity, Minimize Overwhelm
As a business owner, your time is your most valuable resource. The more time you spend handling administrative work, the less time you have to grow your business, connect with clients, or strategize for the future. A VA can take over repetitive tasks like scheduling, email management, and client communications, giving you more time to focus on what matters most.
Stay Organized Without the Stress
VAs excel at organization. They can manage your calendar, streamline your emails, and keep track of important tasks that might otherwise slip through the cracks. You'll feel more in control of your business, without the mental load of remembering every little detail.
Cut Costs Without Cutting Corners
Hiring a full-time employee comes with overhead costs—salary, benefits, office space, etc. A VA is a cost-effective solution, offering the same support without the long-term commitment. You pay only for the hours you need, keeping your budget in check.
Free Up Time for Client Interaction
For accountants and realtors, client relationships are the backbone of your business. A VA can handle behind-the-scenes work like data entry, report generation, and appointment scheduling, freeing you up to nurture your client relationships and grow your business. The more time you have to focus on your clients, the more successful your business will be.
Scale Your Business Efficiently
As your business grows, so does the workload. Hiring a VA allows you to scale without the headaches of hiring and training multiple employees. You can focus on strategic decisions, while your VA takes care of the operational side.

Common Tasks VAs Can Take Off Your Plate

The beauty of working with a VA is their versatility. Depending on your needs, they can take on a variety of tasks, including:

1. Administrative Support
  - Calendar management and appointment scheduling
  - Email management and response
  - Travel arrangements
  - Document preparation
2. Marketing & Social Media
  - Content creation for blogs, social media, and newsletters
  - Scheduling posts and managing social media engagement
  - Market research for campaigns and trends
3. Client Relations
  - Appointment scheduling and reminders
  - Client onboarding and follow-up emails
  - Customer service management
4. Accounting & Bookkeeping
  - Invoice creation and tracking
  - Expense management and reporting
  - Preparing basic financial documents
5. Project Management
  - Keeping track of deadlines and milestones
  - Coordinating tasks between team members
  - Updating project timelines and tracking progress

How to Effectively Delegate to a Virtual Assistant

Start Small
Don't overwhelm yourself by delegating everything at once. Begin with a few manageable tasks that you can easily hand off, like scheduling or email management. As you get comfortable, you can expand the list.
Communicate Your Expectations Clearly
Communication is vital to a successful VA relationship. Be specific about what you need, how you want it done, and your preferred method of communication. Clear communication helps set the stage for a productive partnership.
Use the Right Tools
Collaboration tools like ClickUp, Trello, and Slack make it easy to assign tasks, track progress, and communicate with your VA. These tools help ensure you stay on the same page, no matter how far apart you are.
Trust the Process
Letting go of control can be tough, but trust is key. Your VA is there to help you; let them take ownership of their tasks. Over time, you'll learn to rely on them more and more, which will free up your time for strategic growth.
Review and Adjust
Regularly review the tasks you've delegated. Are they being completed on time? Are there areas where the VA could take on more responsibility? Regular feedback helps ensure you're getting the most value from your VA.

How a VA Helps You Thrive as an Accountant, Realtor, or Small Business Owner

Whether you're an accountant juggling clients and tax deadlines or a realtor managing showings and paperwork, a VA can make your job easier. Here's how:

For Accountants
VAs can assist with organizing client files, scheduling meetings, and handling communications, so you have more time to focus on numbers and client relationships. They can also help with tax preparation or data entry, streamlining your workflows during busy seasons.
For Realtors
Realtors know that time is money. A VA can handle property listings, manage client communications, or even assist with staging and marketing materials. With a VA, you can focus on showing homes, closing deals, and generating new leads.
For Small Business Owners
A VA is the perfect partner for any business owner looking to scale. Whether you need help with administrative tasks or marketing, a VA can step in and provide the support you need to grow efficiently and effectively.

As a small business owner, your time is precious. Don't spend it on tasks that don't require your expertise. A Virtual Assistant can help you free up your schedule and scale your business with less stress. Ready to get started? Don't wait – Delegate today!

How TaskVA Can Support Your Business

At TASK Virtual Assistant, we specialize in helping small businesses, accountants, and realtors streamline operations through virtual assistant services. Our services range from administrative support to marketing and cybersecurity. Ready to experience the power of delegation? Let's chat about how we can help you take your business to the next level.

Explore Our Virtual Assistant Services

LET'S CHAT!

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Boost Business Growth through Outsourcing

Outsourcing for Small Biz Growth

Virtual Assistant Insights

Outsourcing for Small Biz Growth

In today's competitive business environment, small business owners are constantly seeking ways to optimize operations and boost growth. One of the most effective strategies is by outsourcing non-core activities. These are tasks essential to running your business but do not foster growth. Outsourcing those tasks enables you to focus on your primary goals while skilled professionals handle secondary tasks. This approach not only maximizes efficiency but also enhances productivity and scalability.

The Benefits of Outsourcing

Enhanced Focus on Business Growth: Outsourcing tasks like administrative duties, customer support, and digital marketing allows business owners to concentrate on developing their products and services. This focus is crucial for staying competitive and innovative in your market.

Cost Efficiency: By outsourcing, businesses save on the costs associated with full-time employees, such as benefits, training, and office space. Instead, you pay only for the services you need when you need them.

Access to Specialized Skills: Outsourcing gives you access to a global talent pool. You can hire specialists with the skills needed for specific tasks without the long-term commitment of an employee.

Scalability: Outsourcing provides the flexibility to scale your operations up or down based on your business needs without the usual risks and long-term financial commitments of hiring an employee.

Increased Productivity: When experts handle routine or complex tasks, your in-house team can manage their workload more effectively, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.

Comparing Cost and Time Savings

With outsourcing:

Businesses can reduce operational costs by up to 60%.
Increase time spent on crucial business tasks, allowing for a sharper focus on strategic growth.

Without outsourcing:

Businesses often incur higher expenses due to staff turnover, training, and additional resources.
Valuable time is consumed by tasks that external experts could efficiently complete.

Tasks Ideal for Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant

Administrative Support: Email management, scheduling, and data entry.
Customer Service: Handling inquiries, support tickets, and live chat services.
Social Media and Marketing: Content creation, campaign management, and analytics.
Bookkeeping: Managing invoices, payroll, and financial reporting.

Outsourcing these tasks can dramatically transform your operation, freeing you up to laser-focus on driving your small business to new heights of success and growth!

Ready to Transform Your Business?

Unlock the full potential of your business with our expert Virtual Assistant services. Whether you need help with administrative tasks, customer support, or marketing efforts, we're here to assist.

Don’t miss the opportunity to streamline your operations and boost productivity. Contact us today and take the first step towards a more efficient and successful business!

Start Here

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Getting the Help You Need Virtually

Virtual Assistant Insights

Getting the Help You Need Virtually

In today's fast-paced business world, accountants and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) often find themselves overwhelmed by a multitude of tasks. Keeping up with all of the routines can be difficult. There are fifty million things to accomplish in one day with too little time and too few people to help. However, with the rise of virtual assistance, they can now access a valuable resource that can alleviate their workload and enhance their overall efficiency.

When you need an extra helping hand, look to a virtual assistant. Most VAs offer a variety of services, from administrative to technical to creative, and will advertise themselves in their area of expertise. For example, some assistants will focus on designing websites for you and maintaining the website or database after completion.

One of the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant is cost savings. They will work for you from their own home office; they are not employees, so you do not need to pay employee tax or benefits. Partnering with a VA allows you to pay for the work you need and not for idle time. Simply put, if there is no work, you don't pay them.

Finding A Virtual Assistant

Finding a reliable virtual assistant begins with clearly defining your needs and expectations. Consider the specific tasks you want to delegate, such as data entry, bookkeeping, tax preparation, or client communication. Look for virtual assistants with a background in accounting or finance to ensure they possess the necessary skills and understanding of your industry.

You can find virtual assistants through reputable online platforms such as VANetworking, the VA industry's market leader since 2003, that connect businesses with skilled professionals. Take the time to review their profiles, read client testimonials, and assess their qualifications and experience. Conduct interviews to ensure a good fit and discuss their availability, communication methods, and work processes.

Pricing a Virtual Assistant

Pricing for virtual assistant services can vary depending on factors such as experience, skill level, and the complexity of tasks. Some virtual assistants charge an hourly rate, while others offer package deals or retainer-based pricing. Consider your budget and the value you expect from the virtual assistant's support. Keep in mind that investing in a skilled virtual assistant can lead to significant time savings and increased productivity.

Benefits of a Virtual Assistant

Short-term Benefits:

Quick Onboarding: Virtual assistants are experienced professionals who can adapt swiftly to new environments and tools. They require minimal training, allowing accountants and CPAs to experience immediate relief from their workload.

Cost Savings: Hiring full-time staff to handle temporary or seasonal tasks can be costly. Virtual assistants offer a cost-effective alternative, as they can be engaged on an as-needed basis, eliminating the need for long-term commitments or benefits packages.

Diverse Skill Set: Virtual assistants often possess a diverse skill set beyond basic accounting tasks. They can offer support in areas such as project management, marketing, research, or customer service, providing additional value to your business.

Long-term Benefits:

Time Savings: Virtual assistants can handle time-consuming tasks such as data entry, report generation, and document organization. By delegating these responsibilities, accountants and CPAs can free up valuable time to focus on core activities, such as financial analysis, strategic planning, and client consultations.

Enhanced Efficiency: Virtual assistants bring expertise and efficiency to repetitive tasks, ensuring accuracy and timely completion. They can assist with bookkeeping, reconciliations, and other administrative duties, reducing the risk of errors and allowing accountants to work with confidence.

Scalability: Virtual assistants provide a flexible solution, allowing businesses to scale their support according to workload fluctuations. During peak periods, such as tax season, virtual assistants can handle the increased demands, preventing overload and burnout among the accounting team.

Incorporating a virtual assistant into the workflow of busy accountants and CPAs can significantly improve productivity, efficiency, and work-life balance. By carefully selecting a virtual assistant with accounting expertise and considering pricing structures, accountants can unlock long-term benefits such as time savings, enhanced efficiency, and scalability. Additionally, the short-term advantages of quick onboarding, cost savings, and a diverse skill set make virtual assistants a valuable resource for accounting professionals seeking to optimize their operations in today's digital age.

Have questions? I'm here to help! Set up a NO OBLIGATION, and TOTALLY FREE call to discover the possibilities!

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Outsourcing: The Key to Success

Virtual Assistant Insights

Outsourcing: The Key to Success

Think back to when you first set out to build your accounting business. Do you remember what your “wants” were? For most, whether building a small business or becoming an entrepreneur, the first need, or “want,” was to have a successful business that provided the income you needed without overtaking your life. Working in the Corporate world was sucking your life away. Sure, you had an awesome career, maybe an excellent salary and title, but at what cost? You were missing out on the joy of life for long commutes and long hours. So you decided to take matters into your own hands.

Fast forward – six months? One year? Five years? Are you enjoying your business success and living that full and rich life, both professionally and personally? If you are, Congratulations! But I’d be willing to bet you are still overworked. So how do you build that successful business and get everything you want? The key is outsourcing.

My Story

My story is very similar to many independent contractors. I was in the Corporate world, living the dream. I had an excellent, well-established career, a fantastic salary and benefits, and a commute from hell. But I loved my job. Then my company had a corporation-wide restructuring, and I found myself without a job. Trying to land another job in an unstable and volatile employment outlook proved futile and frustrating, so I stopped looking and decided to build my own business. My first thought was, “what do I want to be when I grow up.” After careful deliberation, I knew what would make me happiest would be helping others. I thrived when I was employed as a secretary, an administrative assistant, and even an assistant manager. I was at my best in these positions because I was helping, I felt needed, and I knew I was making someone’s life a little bit easier.

So I did what makes sense to me, leveraged all my years of experience and skill set, and became a virtual assistant. Now I help accountants and CPAs like yourself with those annoying daily tasks, so you have the time to focus on growing that business you worked hard to build. This is the number one reason why virtual assistants exist and why we outsource our skills to you. Keep on reading to learn how outsourcing helps your business.

How Will Outsourcing Help My Business?

GROW
Outsourcing can improve your efficiency, cut costs, speed up product creation, and give you time to focus on the important planning and directing that a business owner must do, aside from doing the actual tasks in the business.

BOOST RESOURCES
Outsourcing adds key resources and skills to your arsenal. No need to learn how to manipulate Excel or take a coding class when you can hire someone to do it when you need it.

SAVE MONEY
Outsourcing means you pay your independent contractor only when they are working on your tasks, and you do not pay for non-productive hours.

REMOVE BOTTLENECKS
When you start to outsource tasks in your business, you’ll notice bottlenecks start to clear up, and tasks are being completed more efficiently. Because the truth is, in most small businesses, the bottleneck is the business owner.

FREE UP YOUR TIME
As a business owner, you have a lot to do, but you don’t have to do it all. You started your business to offer your expertise and your point of difference, not spend your day on mundane and overwhelming tasks. By hiring a virtual assistant, you focus your talent on doing things that only you can do.

IMPROVE CUSTOMER CARE
The truth is, someone else can probably do some things better than you. Because of that, if you outsource to the right people for the right things, you can improve your offers, thus improving your customer satisfaction dramatically.

How Do I Outsource Successfully?

Before you start the search, define what it is you want to have done. Being clear on the parameters of your project is half the battle. Here are seven tips to help you along:

Know What You Want – Prepare a detailed job or project description highlighting the expected deliverables, timetable, and budget.
Hire More Than One – Outsourcing based on the parts of a project, such as writing, editing, and formatting, may turn out a better product. And bonus, if one gets sick, the project doesn’t come to a halt or fall back on you.
Know Your Budget – This is a very important step. You need to know the range you are able to pay for the projects you’re trying to outsource.
Do Your Research – Visit their website, check out their social media pages, read their reviews and testimonials. Remember the saying, “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” Always check up on anyone you plan to work with, especially if they will be associated with your business name. You would do this if you were hiring an employee, and you should do it anytime you plan to have someone work for your company, no matter the status.
Respect Their Business – Chances are, your independent contract will not be exclusive to you as they are not your employee. How many active clients they have or how they produce your deliverables is not any of your concerns. Use a non-compete statement in your contract to protect your business and clients.
Communicate Regularly and Quickly – A regular touch base is important, especially with long-term projects or retainer bases services such as office admin and management. When your virtual assistant has questions, try to respond back as quickly as possible with the answers.
Pay on Time – This is probably the top three if not the number one complaint most virtual assistants and independent contractors have. If you promise to pay them a certain amount of money for their service, pay them according to your agreement. Don’t hire people if you don’t have the funds to pay at that moment.

Outsourcing is the biggest key to your freedom. Remember that many things you need to be done can be done by someone else. You really can hire experts remotely for a lot less than you think and increase the capabilities of your business fast.

Need a virtual assistant? Schedule a call with me personally! Let's talk about your business and how I can help you.

Not sure what you can outsource to a Virtual Assistant? Download my helpful checklist and discover all the tasks you shouldn't be doing!

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5 Tips To Stay Ahead Of The Curve

Virtual Assistant Insights

5 Tips to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Running an accounting firm is not easy, and oftentimes, not the most exciting. There are so many mundane, everyday tasks necessary to keep the business running. Tasks such as filing, billing, and data entry bog down a daily task list; they have to be done, but not by you! Hiring a virtual assistant can be a simple solution. But how do you know when to outsource? These five tips will keep you ahead of the curve by helping you sort through your tasks and decide what you can do and what you could be letting someone else do.

1. Set S.M.A.R.T Goals

Have you looked at where your firm is, and where you want it to be? Do you have a clear road map to get there? Many times, we fail to reach our goals because we haven’t defined them clearly. It’s simply not enough to say, “I want to make more money this year,” or “I’d like to spend more time with my family.” Your goals need to be very specific. They should provide direction, and motivation, and clarify the importance of what you’re aiming for. Setting up SMART goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely is a recipe for success! So, instead of "I want to make more money this year", say, "I will increase sales 17% by end of Q4".

2. Know Your Why

Once you settle on a goal and a specific target, you need to clarify the purpose of the goal, or ‘your why’ If your goal, for example, is to increase earnings over last year, determine WHY you need more money. Do you want to take on more clients, or maybe you want to staff the office?

The ‘why’ is more important than the ‘what’. Your ‘why’ is the foundation, the passion driving you. If you lose sight of why you have settled on your goal, it will be much more difficult to stay motivated.

3. Work Smarter Not Harder!

Building a successful accounting firm isn’t easy. Many accountants burn out within the first 5 years. They lose the passion and the drive that is necessary to stay competitive, especially if they are too busy working 70+ hours a week. Believe it or not, there is proven research behind the 40-hour workweek. It wasn’t designed to help workers, but to boost productivity, which has been shown to drop dramatically after working more than 40 hours per week for a month. Being busy is not the same as being productive.

time management

Let me say that again - Being busy is not the same as being productive. Top performers focus on the activities that support their goals. They leverage technology and other services to help them be more productive.

4. Create A Daily Task CheckList

If I were asked which one of the five tips I'm providing is the most important, it would be this one. A task checklist is a visual tool of accountability. Start the first 10 minutes of your day by writing down all the things you need to accomplish. Ask yourself: which activities generate the most income? Begin prioritizing your most income-producing tasks first using the Eisenhower matrix:

1. Do First

Tasks in the green box should be the core tasks that directly earn you money such as responding to new leads and current clients.

2. Schedule

Important, but not urgent tasks belong in the blue box. Schedule tasks like continuing education, reading the latest IRS updates and researching virtual assistants.

3. Delegate

The yellow box should be reserved for less important tasks, but need to be done rather quickly. These are tasks that do not necessarily have to be done by you. These tasks can and should be, delegated to someone else. Hiring a Virtual Assistant is a great way to delegate tasks.

4. Don’t do

The red box is for STOP. These are the tasks that aren’t helping you at all. For most people, these will be time-wasters such as spending time on social media related. For example, have you been spending an hour a day on Facebook with nothing to show for it? Probably time for a new strategy. These tasks should definitely be turned over to a Virtual Assistant.

Prioritizing your daily tasks will make you that much more productive and mindful of how you spend your time. By using a Task Checklist daily, you’ll start to recognize patterns in your routine and find solutions to improve your results.

5. Hire a Virtual Assistant

No one person can do it all. Delegate or outsource everything except the stuff you’re good at because it allows you to focus on the tasks that you’re amazing at, like analyzing the numbers!

Look back on your daily task checklist; how many of the tasks are not high priority or goal-oriented but need to get done? How many of those tasks can you delegate to your VA - social media accounts, monthly mailings, engagement letters, and administrative tasks?

A virtual assistant is your customizable asset!

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