As a learning entrepreneur, you start out as the creator, marketer, support specialist, and sales rep. However, once the business grows, you need to focus more on the things you alone can do – main on course creation tasks — and there is a case to be made for hiring a virtual assistant.
For example, you need to maintain a solid presence on social media. There are apps that help with scheduling posts, but you still need to create them, which takes time. Furthermore, online courses come with some time-consuming activities such as answering questions from learners and community engagement. Your learning management system (LMSs) automation features will shoulder some of these tasks, but you still have to get more hands-on from time to time.
A hiring decision should never be taken lightly, especially when you are an entrepreneur with limited resources. In this case, finding the right virtual assistant is the best investment.
If you are still wondering what a virtual assistant can do, the answer is: basically anything. From business-related tasks to virtual errands– such as waiting in line to schedule an appointment with the IRS, a virtual assistant helps you unload your to-do list. Here are some more advantages to hiring one:
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Before looking for a virtual assistant, you need to figure out precisely what your business needs. There are two types of virtual assistants – general and specialized.
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There are several platforms dedicated to connecting freelancers with potential customers. You can browse to see which one is best suited for your needs. LinkedIn is also a good option for finding a virtual assistant – a quick search shows over 71,000 results for virtual assistance providers. If you prefer recommendations, you can advertise the position on social media. Keep in mind that you need to have a detailed job description before you even begin the recruitment process. You will have a contractual relationship with your virtual assistant – they need to know what you expect in order to give you a time and money estimate.
Once you have weighed the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant and you have a budget, you can begin the hiring process.
Make a list of all the things you have to do – daily, weekly and monthly – and see which of those you can outsource to a general virtual assistant. If you opt for a specialized virtual assistant, it's better to assign outcomes instead of tasks. So, if you have hired a knowledgeable virtual assistant to handle your social media accounts, set them a target of subscriber increase, engagement, shares, mentions, etc., instead of simply completing tasks on time.
Be specific about what your virtual assistant has to do. Since there is a good chance that you won't meet them in person, good communication is essential to an effective professional relationship. You can't expect your virtual assistant to jump right in and know what to do and what to do. You have to spell it out, preferably in writing, to be used for future reference.
A specialized virtual assistant should know their field better than you since that’s why you hire them in the first place. Set specific goals that they need to reach – for example, you want a 15% increase in click-through rates on your blog or 20% more enrollments for a course.
Pro tip: you can use your expertise to create a mini-course to train your virtual assistant. In this way, they’ll have what they need to start.
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The best way to conduct virtual assistant interviews is through video. Here are some questions to ask when hiring a virtual assistant:
Of course, they don’t necessarily need experience in the e-learning field, especially as general virtual assistants, but it can be a bonus for specialized ones.
The best way to determine if a virtual assistant is a right fit for you is to put them to the test. Depending on what you need them to do for you, this can be as simple as creating a weekly schedule for you or showing that they know how to use your project management tool of choice.
If the job description is for a specialized virtual assistant, you'll need to design a more detailed assessment. For example, if you hire someone to help with digital marketing, ask them to plan a Facebook campaign for one of your online courses. If your candidate should help out with social media, you can ask them to build a teaser campaign for a course launch. Apart from evaluating their presentation skills, look for how they set objectives – how realistic and attainable they are.
At this point, you’ve already chosen a virtual assistant. The contractual terms need to be clear and both of you need to agree to them. This is where you ask for a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) if needed. You may also consider including a non-competition clause. If your virtual assistant has experience in e-learning, your competitors could seek them out, and it's important they don't share your strategies or customer lists. Establish the payment method and amount. If you pay them per hour, make sure to clarify how they will be counted. Determine how you will evaluate performance and mention if there will be performance bonuses.
This should not be difficult since virtual assistants are generally hired on a month-to-month basis. You can schedule the trial period for a particular project if you are unsure about sharing all your information with someone who may not be in for the long haul. You can see firsthand how organized your virtual assistant is, how they handle multiple tasks and how they communicate. Keep in mind that the trial period works both ways, and the virtual assistant may very well decide that they don't want to work for you so make sure to keep your side of the agreement.
If you made it to this step, congratulations, you have a virtual assistant!. It's a big step for an entrepreneur, and it opens up a world of possibilities. Find the best tools to stay organized and keep the collaboration optimal. Communicate often, celebrate success, and adjust when situations call for it.
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A virtual assistant is a valuable addition to your e-learning business. You can hire one to take the tedious tasks off your plate or help your business grow in a specific area that you don't have much expertise in or simply don't enjoy. Knowing what to look for when hiring a virtual assistant results in finding a trusted partner who can prevent you from burning out and allow you to have more time for the creative aspects of your online course business.