Tips for working with a Virtual Assistant

One of the biggest delay factors in getting work completed for a client, is the delay in getting complete and accurate information. If incomplete information is given then we have to wait for you to get back to us if we leave a phone message or send an email with a query about what needs to be done.

It’s important to remember that we don’t share the same head space that you do so you need to give the complete story, not just the bit that you want done.

It is amazing how often I might get asked to change a page on a site, but they forget to give the actual URL of that page, i.e. www.yourdomain.com/testpage/  These things are important. We might not be as familiar with your sites as you are, simply because we work with multiple sites.

And if you’re giving a new password for a site, it’s important to include the username too – just so we’re fully aware of what is needed.

Email is always a good way to give instructions, because it helps improve the process of communication. Correct spellings are given (where a domain or password could say have ‘four’ or ‘4’ in it), an outline of what is needed, clickable links and an action list to work through.

If a client gives me instructions over the phone (as some prefer the phone to email) then I make it a habit to email back with an outline of our discussion and my understanding of the actions to be carried out. That way they can correct anything I might have wrong, or add additional information and confirm that what I have is correct. This then becomes the action list I work through and mark off as I go through each thing.

So, remember, when working with your Virtual Assistant, you make it clear what you want to have done and give complete information, instead of assuming they know what you mean.