After working as a Virtual Assistant for as long as I have, I’ve come to believe that there is a major component to a successful VA/Client relationship. Communication!
Think about it. We’re working remotely, possibly in different states. I can’t walk across the office to ask you a question or obtain information. I have to reach out to you from another location and wait for you to respond. Sometimes not having that response can slow down what I’m working on -which is your work.
Just like an on-site admin, as your off-site admin, it’s critical that we have a clear line of communication. Of course, this is not always possible, but I ask my clients to check, throughout the day, whatever channels we’ve established to communicate with each other. Whether it’s email, text, or a messaging app, give it a quick look a few times a day to see if your VA is waiting to hear from you.
Often, when someone has been their own admin for a long time, it takes a while to get used to the fact that there’s someone out there taking care of them. You no longer have to worry about scheduling every meeting, responding to every email, or making every follow up call. You now have someone who can do those things for you- and a lot more. It’s your Virtual Assistant. But it’s important to check in with your VA to make sure he or she has what they need to keep things running smoothly.
There are a number of great tools to use for quick communication no matter where you are. Slack, WhatsApp and Connectteam to name a few. Decide early what will work best for you and your VA. And if it doesn’t work – don’t be afraid to switch until you find the best tool for you and your team.
As time goes on and you and your VA get to know each other better, your VA will be able to address more issues and answer questions without having to contact you directly. This is one of the advantages of working with a VA – building that relationship with someone who knows how to support you.
Call us at VAS today to schedule a Discovery Session at 443-557-8187.
Becky Gregory
Owner, Virtual Admin Services
Becky Gregory is an Executive Virtual Assistant and owner of Virtual Administrative Services (VAS), a full service VA firm.