Every entrepreneur reaches a point where their workload can feel a bit overwhelming and they might need some help. From setting appointments to bookkeeping, some activities that are pertinent to running a successful business can eventually take time away from actually doing business. If you have reached this point, it might be time to hire some help. We suggest the first new member of your team be a virtual assistant.

As an entrepreneur, your time is truly your money. Every action you take effects the success of your business. As your company grows, the amount of work that goes into the business increases. Paying vendors, tracking inventory, managing calendars— all of these are necessary activities that will call for an increasing amount of manpower. Hiring a virtual assistant can take these tasks off of your plate, leaving you with more time to focus on the actions that have a greater impact on your revenue.

The first step to hiring a virtual assistant is to determine what you want them to do. Bookkeeping, inventory management, website updating, social media administration, customer service — virtual assistants have a variety of skill sets. Determine what areas in your business are taking a lot of your time and which of those are you wiling to assign to someone else.

The next step is to write down how you want these tasks to be accomplished. Is there a specific schedule you want each item to adhere to? Do some of the tasks take priority over others? Is there specific policy and procedures you want to create or extend to this new position or these tasks? What will training look like? Are there specific skill requirements you desire your new team member to have? Your answers to these question will help you create a job description, set expectations and lay the foundation for success.

Before you hire someone to fill the newly defined position, you must consider your budget. Virtual assistants typically charge per hour, but rates vary from person to person. Remember, the lowest rate does not always return the best quality work. You do not have to have a massive budget, but you must at least be fair. A great way to figure out your budget is to determine how much time you spend on these tasks weekly and then compare it to how much more work you can get done with the help of an assistant. For example, let’s say you spend 4 hours a week doing administrative tasks. If you are able to spend those 4 hours seeing additional clients or increasing production, then those 4 hours are definitely worth whatever the increase to your revenue you would experience by assigning the administrative tasks to someone else.

Finally, you are ready to hire a virtual assistant. But where do you start? You can google virtual assistants companies, post in employment forums, search on social media or use sites like www.upwork.com to find the next member of your team. Remember, you already know what skills you want your assistant to possess. be upfront when interviewing or potential candidates. Be open to their feedback and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Virtual assistants can feel like godsends when utilized correctly. They can save you time, money and increase productivity. Follow the steps listed above and you should have a relatively smooth experience finding the right personal assistant to help take your business to the next level.