Advice needed on getting started with a VA

Hi,

You can hire VA's from the Philippines (Our country). They're affordable and quality is good as well - you just need to be specific as possible.

- Paul Agabin

Thanks Paul!

I am planning on outsourcing to get a VA. But where do you think would be the best place to start? Article marketing? Social Media? SEO? What area of IM would bring me the best value for my investment?

Here's a great video that helps with the process of hiring a VA - Noble Samurai - Outsourcing Video 1: How To Build a Team of ‘A’ Players

Look at outsourcing the work that you dislike doing the most or that takes the most time for the least return.

All my VAs have been Indians. Though I prefer to only hire those with perfect English.

Hi there,

I'd look to hire one from Odesk because you are protected by their systems and you can use their time management system too which is good.

Make sure you know what you are going to use your VA for before you hire one otherwise they'll be sitting around without much to do. Consider also the level of training you need to provide to them because they may now know how you want things done, i.e. give them processes / training videos for every task so that it is done properly - vital for the arrangement for both of you!

However, you will notice that your VA can really free up your time and take away some of the more tedious and time consuming jobs so you can focus on more important things.

All the best

Jason

You should outsource stuff that takes most of your time. If writing takes most of your time, outsource it. If your time is spent most on SEO, you should outsource that.

This way, you will have more free time to spend on making your business bigger.


-Jason Foong

I use the phillipines and also ELANCE

they are both really good, but you have to remember these things.

1) Phillipines do not have the entrepreneurial spirit and they find it hard to get work.

2) You have to be able to spend time training, so know exactly what you want done.

3) The more you tell the more effective your workers.

4) A short video will work wonders when it comes to having your VA do a task, if they get stuck they just watch your video and follow along. Say no more.

I still like elance, probably a bit better, cause we have done smaller tests, and gotten very nice satifying results. You can build teams of very good people this way, small tests first and then go all out.

There are several avenues you can use when hiring VA's, for starters you can begin here in WF. Or you can check on sites like oDesk, Elance, etc. You have to first narrow down the kind of work you want to outsource to your VA's, that way you will have an idea of what specific skills you should require for your prospective VA. Never assume that they will know everything, so you must be patient in teaching them the basics as they start.

Thanks for all of your replies! But, my original question still hasn't been answered

Yes, I know that working with a VA will help streamline my business, and yes I know about making sure that they have clear guidelines...but clear guidelines in what area? Everything that I do takes up time...I don't have time to do it all. So if my goal is to build my business quickly, which area would be the most effective?

Considering that I have a limited budget, and that VAs don't necessarily have skills in every single area, which type of VA should I hire first?

Should I find one that does article marketing?
Should I find one that does social media?
Should I find one that does SEO?
Should I find one that does....?

Many apologies if my original question wasn't clear...it's not that I'm confused about hiring a VA, I just don't know what to hire them FOR. I don't know what will be most effective in building my business so that I can bring in revenue to hire other VAs to fill in the other gaps.

Thanks again for your insight!

I recommend to hire people in your own country and make sure they have a good background.

IMO, you can hire a link builder who can do social bookmarking, dir. submission, forum posting, article dir. submission, blog commenting.

You keep writing contents and later after building links for few months you can start with social media...

Thank you.. ma 0.02$

There are plenty of good ones out there, but test their english skills before you hire.