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Resolved Question

Virtual assistance

Jun 13, 2017 8:53AM PDT

Hi everyone!

I need your help and advice!

I've recently started my interior design business in Dallas, Tx and I've come to realize that I need an assistant. I can quite afford to hire a full time assistant at the moment and I've searched for some other options and I've heard about virtual assistants. But they're mainly in India and the Philippines and I believe that the different time zones would be a great challenge.

Have any of you ever used one? If so,how does it work and where can I find one?

Thank you all for your help.

Discussion is locked

Maxine89 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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The time difference can be sorted by these tips.
Jul 14, 2017 12:20AM PDT

The time difference can be sorted out, Although it may seem a bit difficult for you to manage your VA’s workflow, if he or she is on the other side of the globe, considering the fact that someone working in a time zone that is 10 hours apart from yours may not be available for any last-minute requests or spontaneous clarifications the usually come up within the working day, there are no uncrossed barriers. Given the various communication methods that you can use to speak with your VA, communication between you and your VA is not affected by the time differences. You can still e-meet with them and go over details, ask questions, or provide clarifications. Just compare the times in both your countries using an online meeting planner and schedule an e-meeting. Agree on some overlap hours, based on the time differences.

Provide Flexibility

If your VA is assigned customer facing tasks, such as sales, prospecting, or email/phone inquiries, make sure you agree on the most convenient hours for you. If, on the other hand, your VA is not assigned a customer facing position and they don’t need to be working specific hours, remember why your virtual assistant chose to work for you in the first place: flexibility in lifestyle and working hours so don’t ask them to work the typical 9a.m – 5p.m working hours, just to have fixed hours. Better have clear deadlines and work on task completion rather than anything else. When the day ends, all that matters is that you and your VA were able to see eye-to-eye, and not face-to-face, and share a common business objective.

Allow them to use their Skills

Don’t let time differences get in the way and keep thinking of obstacles. Remember that the distance does not affect the VA’s performance even by a bit. They use their project management skills to make sure each project each completed within the deadline agreed, no matter where they are working from. Just let them.

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Thanks!
Jul 25, 2017 3:30PM PDT

Thank you so much!

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Answer
Frankly these have been a pain for most.
Jun 13, 2017 9:04AM PDT

You noted time zones but their accent and lack of English skills can cause you to lose customers.

This is your business and you must treat it with care to keep your reputation as spotless as you can. How is your Yelp.com rating?

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Answer
Re: virtual assistant
Jun 13, 2017 10:34AM PDT
https://www.google.com/search?q=virtual+assistant+usa makes me think there are USA companies offering a service like that also. No time zone problems, and with a decent company offering real Americans living in the USA and with the background necessary for an interior design business it might work quite well.
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Thanks!
Jun 16, 2017 1:40PM PDT

Thank you so so much Kees! I truly appreciate the info

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Answer
Re:Virtual assistance
Jun 17, 2017 10:54PM PDT

Well you are not the first person to ask this question and people outside India and Philippines are figuring out with these issues through many way. I can suggest you the best way is to look any freelancer who can do as per requirement on Upwork. Its very trustworthy and basically Client like you favourable platform.

All you need to do is just put your information clearly over there and wait for someone to approach you. you chat with them and clarify everything before hiring anyone. Another simplest way is to approach your nearby Digital marketing company who will actually charge you higher but trust me they also gonna outsources these works to other countries.

Commercial link removed by moderator.

Post was last edited on June 18, 2017 1:01 AM PDT

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Answer
some advice on using a VA
Jun 27, 2017 3:56AM PDT

Using sites like upwork, Guru.com, peopleperhour.com can be a way of finding a virtual assistant.
There are a lot of very good Virtual Assistants to be found from all countries, But there are also a lot of bad VA's as well.

Many VA's do not use these sites to get work because of the bad reputation they have for low paying clients who expect a lot for very little.

Quality VA's can be hard to find as they normally get work from referrals, but if you do a google search for [job/help/service you need] VA, you may find them.

If you decide to use one of the freelance sites here is some advice

* When you write your job description give details of exactly what services you are looking for?
* Carefully read the responses, don't just go with the cheapest, ask questions?
* Be sure you both understand what you expect, will it be a once of project?
* Will you pay by the hour or a flat rate?
* What are the deadlines, and the final deliverables?

You do need to check them out, look at their profiles,
* How many satisfied clients do they have?
* Read the testimonials
* Have they experience in the work you want done?

I hope this helps, using a VA can be a great asset to your business as they can free up your time letting you get on with business without the expense of a full time employee.
But do remember that VA's are professionals offering a valuable service and should be treated as such

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Answer
Thanks guys!
Jul 7, 2017 12:16PM PDT

Thank you all for your help, I truly appreciate it! Fionascu, I'm going to try that thanks!

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VA/Social Media
Jul 10, 2017 12:17AM PDT

What type of tasks are you looking to hand off to a virtual assistant? The term VA has evolved to basically include anything that can be done virtually - so it could be anything from admin to more specialized tasks like web design and each VA will charge accordingly to their skill set. I could definitely help you out if I know what you need. I have an agency that focuses on virtual work and social media marketing.

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Answer
Hearty Congratulations on your new Interior design business.
Jul 13, 2017 5:21AM PDT

Virtual assistants can be a great asset for your business, but it’s important to choose qualified virtual assistants and track their time and productivity.
The time zones don't matter at all, My suggestion is to go for Indian VAs, There are always outstanding. They are economical as well as efficient. Most of the Western country VAs are very compromising on quality and hence I always prefer & recommend Indian VAs.

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If only they spoke English, or American
Jul 13, 2017 6:33AM PDT

can't understand most of them.

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I understand your concern
Jul 19, 2017 2:33AM PDT

I understand your concern. They speak their own English version, which might be hard to understand at first. But I feel you'll get used to them sooner or later.

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Re: sooner or later
Jul 19, 2017 2:42AM PDT

The problem with that is that you only need them once or twice, which isn't enough to get accustomed to their dialect.

And, of course, in case of a virtual assistant for a business, it's not the business owner that talks to them, but his customers. And I know for sure that most of them prefer a real American to speak to.

Post was last edited on July 19, 2017 2:44 AM PDT