virtual assistant question

[Vyliss]

This might have been brought up before, not sure, didn't see it in the past posts but when people hire VAs, how do they keep check of whether they're doing the job required. As in, do you get them to write in a timesheet what they did for the day and you just have to trust that they did it?

Also i hear some people get their VA to do just about everything (web design, content writing, link building etc), is that good or is it better to get a few to specialize in those areas?

[nick1123]

Originally Posted by Vyliss

This might have been brought up before, not sure, didn't see it in the past posts but when people hire VAs, how do they keep check of whether they're doing the job required. As in, do you get them to write in a timesheet what they did for the day and you just have to trust that they did it?

Also i hear some people get their VA to do just about everything (web design, content writing, link building etc), is that good or is it better to get a few to specialize in those areas?

Very good questions.

First, start small.

Don't give your new VA a laundry list of things to do but rather give them 1 small task to do with a deadline and see if they meet it. Gradually give your VA more responsibility as they perform well with the work they are given.

Second, whenever possible, pay by the job and not by the hours.

I personally don't pay people by the hour; I pay by the job. When they complete the job I pay them.

I have seen way too much padding of hours.

I also try to find specialists in a particular area (i.e. writing) and work on building a long term relationship with them.

Never outsource something if you have no way to tell if the work is being done. Period.

On my blog I have written about my tips for outsourcing writing:
Day 19: 4 Tips for Hiring Writers

[kumar]

For hourly jobs, some freelancing sites have a software which providers (freelancers) have to activate every time they are working on their projects. This software captures the current screen data images and work diary at random times and sends them to the buyer periodically.

[dbarnum]

Agree with Nick, excellent questions.

Here are some tips on my Warrior blog:

WarriorForum - Internet Marketing Forums - Moving Ahead with Warriors Blog


First one to start you off:

http://www.warriorforum.com/blogs/db...ants-tips.html

[NinjaReports]

There is some pretty decent free/paid task management software that you can give to teams you hire so they report on what they are doing through the day. Also with outsourcing I wouldn't get one person to do everything. Find people that specialize in something and know what they are doing.