How to make VA to work effectively?

Hi! I do it this way:

1. List down the set of tasks I need to outsource to a VA or a group of VAs.

2. Separate set of tasks, considering more than 99% of people do not have multiple skill sets, knowledge, expertise and high learning capacities to quickly learn and properly do almost everything on their own. Key task groups I separate include: a. content writing and literature product development (both softsell content marketing writing and copywriting, in my opinion, can be done by one person with the right training); b. Web development, graphics design, video development and relevant product development; c. .NET/PHP/AJAX/Java/Javascript software programming and relevant product development; and d. SEO/SEM/backlink building/Web promotion/brand name building/business reputation campaign implementation, keyword research strategy implementation, competitor market research, affiliate market research, target market research, customer and tech support (phone & email), content marketing campaign implementation and onsite SEO/content uploading/linking strategy implementation. You may have noticed "implementation" mentioned a few times in D. This is because I want to formulate my own SEO/SEM/backlink building/content marketing/PR building/etc. campaigns from my own observations, inferences from observed facts, logical concepts from inferences and facts, relevant test formulation analysis, comparative test result analysis and experience.

3. List down relevant tasks under groups A, B, C and D.

4. Formulate 2 tests. Test 1 will be the initial test and will simulate an hour's worth of work, while test 2 will be the final test to simulate a full time 8-hour work day of each person, for task set A, B, C and D.

5. I'll take each test and time myself. I will then determine the quality of my output for each test in relation to the speed I completed the tests.

6. I will then do comparative analysis of my results to identify the set of relevant skills, knowledge and experience that are prerequisites for properly doing task groups A, B, C and D.

7. I will review initial test output and CVs of interested applicants with number 6 above in mind.

8. Assign timed tests A, B, C and D (same tests I myself took) to interested applicants with existing prerequisites intact and have passed the initial test. The final test will be a paid work day for those who pass the test.

9. Study the final test results and determine the best people to interview as well as key areas which can be improved with exacted training methodologies that can be formulated at this point.

10. Observe professionalism, work ethics, personality/character, mindset, personal goals/objectives and relevant background during interviews. This means questions, interview activities and topics of interview conversations should be formulated for this purpose.

11. Study CVs, initial test results, final test results and interview performance to determine the best people to hire.

What i always do:

First: Elaborate the tasks that you want them to do.
Two: Do yourself the tasks for 1-3 days,and count the time that you spend on them.
Three: Create detailed instructions of what you want them to do.
Four: Now that you know how much time on average a person will spent to make this tasks and you have a detailed instruction,you can know if your VA is Good or not.

Free trial...? I personally would never work for free, nor would I expect someone else to. I have worked with many VA's and always start them off with a small project, often trialing a few at once. They know it's a trial period, but I believe I build trust and respect by treating them as a professional equal from the start.

yes, cool answer guys. It's not work for free, it's called : Promotion, mate.

Clients usually contact us this way.

They ask us to work for a certain period. For example 32 hrs per month for 96 dollars. Usually most of them end up hiring us for full time within 15 days.

Just keep giving them more to do until they can't fit any more in, as simple as that really. At which point you may want to offer additional training on how to be more productive.

A good way to maintain productivity is to use a time tracking and screenshot program. So they clock in and screenshot are taken at regular intervals and recorded. That way you can check what they did and it keeps them more focused.

Its not for everyone and may be over the top in some circumstances, but it can be useful.