4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Virtual Assistants...anyone had any positive experiences to share?

by Northwestern
3 replies
Just wondering if there are any good threads or resources on working with Virtual Assistants? I've had a couple of bad experiences and would really like to know where I can find a reliable one and potentially how to go about training them. Thanks WF community!
#assistants #assistantsanyone #experiences #positive #share #virtual
  • Profile picture of the author MarketingBees
    I think in the world of VAs it's a case of you get what you pay for. Don't go trying to do it cheaply as you won't get a VA who knows what they're doing.

    Depending on the specifics you require, I'd personally look into breaking it down into different freelancers. So if you need SEO doing then look for someone who's specifically successful as SEO and so on.

    Jack of All Trades, Master of None: Often the problem with VAs IMO
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9230382].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Katie Rich
    Originally Posted by Northwestern View Post

    Just wondering if there are any good threads or resources on working with Virtual Assistants? I've had a couple of bad experiences and would really like to know where I can find a reliable one and potentially how to go about training them. Thanks WF community!
    You make it sound like you are buying a dog. Training them? Really?

    I was a VA some years ago. You don't need to 'train' anyone, you need to be clear with what you want your employee to do and don't be cheap. Pay a decent rate and you will get a good VA who doesn't need training. Sheesh..
    Signature
    **Money in your pocket?**
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9230433].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Rhiannon Beckham
      Check yourself there, Katie. Absolutely no need to rip on someone because of your own personal insecurity with his word choice.

      I, for one, have never had a job that I haven't been trained for, regardless if I've had education prior or not. Not sure how you learn things, but..


      -------------------------

      I have an amazing VA I found on Elance, or should I say, I found an amazing candidate on Elance who I've TRAINED for the position, and is now an amazing VA.
      I knew that I wanted to hire longterm and have someone who can run the show if need be, so I opted for someone who wasn't highly experienced (ie. malleable) and willing to learn. It was also my first time hiring staff so we learned a lot together, and the biggest piece of advice I could give for another first time boss, is that you can't take things for granted, don't assume he/she knows what you're talking about.

      In that same vein, make sure you don't take them for granted, and give raises and bonuses accordingly.

      ..one piece of advice I can pass on that I learned in researching before I hired, was to hire from the Philippines.
      Awesome dedicated employees, trustworthy, loyal and many have great English skills as well as great education.

      I took that advice myself, and even though she doesn't have the degrees of many other applicants, I am 110% positive that I made the right choice by hiring based on future capabilities rather than her past experience.
      Signature

      **I don't always make it back to check on threads, so if you'd like me to elaborate feel free to PM me, I try to make sure to check my inbox regularly and am happy to help..

      I wouldn't have pulled a $9k week w/Teespring etc without the help of others, so it's time to pay it forward.
      I can make a little room in my life for that. ;)

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9230594].message }}

Trending Topics