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Do you employ full time VA's? What tasks do they provide you?

by Matt Lee
16 replies
I work with a number of VA's on a per project basis, but I also employ a full time Virtual Assistant.

His tasks include lite Graphic Design/Banner Creation, WP updates & configuration, on page SEO & blog updates as well as keyword research. He's really become my go-to guy.

I have an SEO team and web designers that I assign full projects to but he does everything I need in between. The problem is, some weeks are crazy busy while other weeks there's less work, than a full 40 hours that he's used to.

How do you utilize your VA's experience & talents? Any suggestions on ways I can help him stay productive during the slower weeks?

All input is appreciated.
#employ #full #provide #tasks #time #va tasks #virtual assistant
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    Nobody employs VA's that is willing to offer any advice?
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Stewart
      Originally Posted by Matt Lee View Post

      Nobody employs VA's that is willing to offer any advice?
      I've had the same part-time assistant for nearly three years now. I mainly have her write articles, make Powerpoint presentations and submit them to various places.

      I trained her how to write excellent product reviews with Erica Stone's fantastic "Extreme Reviewer" product, but haven't had her write any recently. Lately I'm just having her create content for syndication.

      If I need anything else done that she's unable to do I'll generally use Fiverr, but Elance is always an option too.
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      • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
        Originally Posted by Joe Stewart View Post

        I've had the same part-time assistant for nearly three years now. I mainly have her write articles, make Powerpoint presentations and submit them to various places.

        I trained her how to write excellent product reviews with Erica Stone's fantastic "Extreme Reviewer" product, but haven't had her write any recently. Lately I'm just having her create content for syndication.

        If I need anything else done that she's unable to do I'll generally use Fiverr, but Elance is always an option too.
        Sigh.... Unfortunately writing is not his strong suit, which is the only thing that he really isn't proficient at. But that's not what I hired him for 2 years ago, so I can't fault him for that. He communicates with me perfectly in chat, Sometimes I forget that English is his second language but that hasn't translated well into articles the few times I've assigned him writing tasks. I'm going to check out the Erica Stone product you mention, maybe if he had a template to use it would be easier. Good tip.
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  • Profile picture of the author deu12000
    I have 3 VAs. I have two always building sites for me. One is always either making calls or filling out spreadsheets with info for me or putting things in order. They are always busy because I keep the projects constantly going.

    You might want to start building out your own sites. When work is slow, have them build sites for you. They could be anything from niche sites, affiliate sites, local business sites, etc... Then have them build backlinks to your sites and other off page SEO. That way when there is no work they have something to fall back on and you have a valuable property or future valuable project in the pipeline.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
      Originally Posted by deu12000 View Post

      I have 3 VAs. I have two always building sites for me. One is always either making calls or filling out spreadsheets with info for me or putting things in order. They are always busy because I keep the projects constantly going.

      You might want to start building out your own sites. When work is slow, have them build sites for you. They could be anything from niche sites, affiliate sites, local business sites, etc... Then have them build backlinks to your sites and other off page SEO. That way when there is no work they have something to fall back on and you have a valuable property or future valuable project in the pipeline.
      That's actually a great idea. He's got some experience with web design. I guess i never thought of that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Forteam04
    One reason many businesses don’t hire a full time employee is because of the commitment. When you have to budget for a full or part time position, it can be a task that is tedious and time consuming. A virtual assistant can be hired on an as needed basis. If you have a special project that needs to be done, you can hire a virtual assistant for that project only.
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  • Profile picture of the author deu12000
    They don't even need website or design experience. I created videos and a site for my guys to log into that are step by step on the types of sites I want them to make for me. It was a lot of work up front but in the end they have something to reference at any time and if I hire new people the groundwork is already laid out.
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  • Profile picture of the author massiveray
    Mine does the following set tasks:
    Sends invoices
    Maintains diary
    Creates/sends reports
    Research
    Domain hunting
    Some small purchases
    Maintains my email account
    Generally does all the stuff I can't be bothered doing

    In addition to these if I need something I generally just ask her to do it, she is also great with advice and sorting out some areas of my personal life.

    She also makes sure I get all of my comic books as well as any that she thinks I might be interested in.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
      Originally Posted by massiveray View Post

      Mine does the following set tasks:
      Sends invoices
      Maintains diary
      Creates/sends reports
      Research
      Domain hunting
      Some small purchases
      Maintains my email account
      Generally does all the stuff I can't be bothered doing

      In addition to these if I need something I generally just ask her to do it, she is also great with advice and sorting out some areas of my personal life.

      She also makes sure I get all of my comic books as well as any that she thinks I might be interested in.
      That's a good list, and I know how nice it is to find someone you count on. That's exactly why I want to keep this guy on full time.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Jonas Phil VA
    He doesn't need to be a writer to create great content. He could design infographics for you, juts have him do a bit of research on the topics that you want and you can use those graphics as a way of creating engaging and potentially viral content for your sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author Peter Lessard
    You received some great ideas on how to keep you VA a bit busier.

    For me I always default to prospecting if the VA is not busy. There are many ways you can teach them to find you work or put your offer out on various sites on an ongoing basis.

    The most important thing I do is NEVER stress a great VA that there may not be enough work.
    My VA's make me lots of money. Enough that if they only worked 2 days a week and I paid them full time I would still be profitable. Given this fact I have zero issue letting them spend a day here and there just doing some training to advance their skills or the occasional surprise day off for great work. They all get paid holidays and sick leave if needed as well.

    This approach has allowed me to keep highly skilled VA's that would kill for me.
    They love to work with me and they have a waiting list of friends and family that would love to work with me too if I need more help. This reflects directly in their work too.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebdevelopmentGroup
    Social Media -
    Calls -
    Appointments -
    Invoicing -
    Tech Support -

    Thats all I limited them to
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    • Profile picture of the author Derelle1
      Personally, I am still looking for the best place to get VA's from. I have heard of horror stories and I would love to find some good talent, to help me get my business to the place I know it can be. I looked into some places, but I wasn't sure if it would be what I was looking for.
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      • Profile picture of the author Huskerdarren
        Originally Posted by Derelle1 View Post

        Personally, I am still looking for the best place to get VA's from. I have heard of horror stories and I would love to find some good talent, to help me get my business to the place I know it can be. I looked into some places, but I wasn't sure if it would be what I was looking for.
        Begin your search with the Philippines.
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      • Profile picture of the author Huskerdarren
        duplicate post
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      • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
        Originally Posted by plessard View Post

        You received some great ideas on how to keep you VA a bit busier.

        For me I always default to prospecting if the VA is not busy. There are many ways you can teach them to find you work or put your offer out on various sites on an ongoing basis.

        The most important thing I do is NEVER stress a great VA that there may not be enough work.
        My VA's make me lots of money. Enough that if they only worked 2 days a week and I paid them full time I would still be profitable. Given this fact I have zero issue letting them spend a day here and there just doing some training to advance their skills or the occasional surprise day off for great work. They all get paid holidays and sick leave if needed as well.

        This approach has allowed me to keep highly skilled VA's that would kill for me.
        They love to work with me and they have a waiting list of friends and family that would love to work with me too if I need more help. This reflects directly in their work too.
        That's great advice, and I'm in total agreement with you. I just PM'd you.

        Originally Posted by WebdevelopmentGroup View Post

        Social Media -
        Calls -
        Appointments -
        Invoicing -
        Tech Support -

        Thats all I limited them to
        He works during the daytime in the PH, which means it's the middle of the night here in the States, calling & setting up appointments aren't possible. Invoicing is something that's already setup automatically with Freshbooks. But he does help me with Tech Support.

        Originally Posted by Derelle1 View Post

        Personally, I am still looking for the best place to get VA's from. I have heard of horror stories and I would love to find some good talent, to help me get my business to the place I know it can be. I looked into some places, but I wasn't sure if it would be what I was looking for.
        Everyone told me when I wanted to hire a VA to go to elancer, or freenacer... But honestly I've had the best luck finding my staff on Craigslist in Manilla. I've worked with people from many countries, and I personally have had the best luck with people from the Philippians.
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