Outsource Like a Pro: Utilizing a VA in Your Small Business

From one small business owner to another — I know that the thought of outsourcing might just give you full body chills. My name is Jennifer Chalker and I am the creator of Choose Your Solution, LLC which is a virtual assistant service that has served over 100 small business owners, just like you. So it’s safe to say outsourcing is my JAM! 

Each time we work with someone new, there are always different reservations they may have about getting started. And trust me, I get it… 

No one knows your business like you do.

No one loves your business like you do. 

No one has the industry experience that you have. 

No one is invested in it like you are. 

But I also know that you might have thoughts like…. 

“How am I supposed to do it all?”

Or

“Will I ever be able to take a break?”

Or 

“Is there a way to clone myself or get more hours in the day?”

So today I want to share with you five different ways that you can utilize a virtual assistant in your business that will both give you peace of mind and help with your productivity — and before you hop off this blog, I need you to know that a virtual assistant can be used by ANYONE no matter what stage of business they are in. We have worked with business owners before they have ever launched or had one customer all the way to multi six figure earners. There is space for YOU here! So keep on reading.

1. Customer Service – Less Stress, Happier Customers!

No matter how many emails, DMs, or inquiries you are getting a day, the goal is for your customers to always feel like they are the most loved in the universe! And let’s face it — this can be hard! As a small business owner, you wear lots of hats (both inside and outside of business!!!) 

A virtual assistant can step into customer service in whatever capacity feels best for you. Some clients have a VA come in and fully handle the customer service process. Others let their VA handle, field, and organize initial inquiries so they can come in at a certain point in the process.

I know that feeling connected to your customers is an important part of the business process! We never want to take that completely away from you when implementing VA services, so the most important part is identifying what can be taken off your plate in a way that helps you breathe and doesn’t stress you out! 

2. Managing Product Listings & Updates – Keep Your Shop Looking Fresh 

Raise your hand if you have some really cool products but the idea of getting them posted to your website/shop actually makes you sweat bullets? Let your virtual assistant do it for you! 

Managing and refreshing listings is how we get your amazing products seen. So when you start working with a VA, you can create a schedule to go in and update key words on listings to give them a refresh and continue to get them seen by new audiences. 

(I promise I know you know this but if your products aren’t listed, no one can buy them! Let a VA take this time consuming and daunting task off your plate and in turn help that revenue sky rocket too!)

3. Administrative Tasks – The Behind-the-Scenes Magic

There is no shortage of different administrative tasks when you are running a small business, I know we all know that! And the truth is, these are some of the BEST tasks to give a virtual assistant because they are the easiest to transfer. Here is the exercise that I give all of our potential clients to help them hone in on exactly what tasks to hand over to their assistant. 

First, make a list of ALL of the tasks you are doing for your business (yes, I mean all of them!!!) Put on a timer or just keep writing until you can’t think of anything else. 

Next, go through and put a star by ANYTHING that doesn’t absolutely require your face. I am not asking if you want to hand this task off. Just simply ask yourself, do you HAVE to do it?!?

Then, go back through that list and rank the items from what you LOVE doing to what you DON’T LOVE doing.

Lastly, start from the bottom and assign those tasks to your VA!

4. Social Media – Stay Active Without Staying Glued to Your Phone 

Whoop there it is — everyone’s least favorite topic to talk about in the online business space. I will keep this short and simple… the best way to get new eyes on your stuff is to put it out there for the universe to see. 

The approach to having an assistant help you with social media is far from one size fits all. You can hire a specific social media management team. You can have a VA manage your comments, DMs, and interactions. You can have someone come in and help you create graphics/videos. 

My biggest piece of advice to you if you are considering outsourcing social media is to decide what your main stressors are and take one step at a time to eliminate them. This is going to require you find a VA/company you trust to help you work through your vision and goals for social media. But I am telling you that if outsourcing this is something you want — you can do this!

5. Research, research, research — Hone in on All Those Ideas in your Head

Whether it’s looking for new reels to post, finding and applying to markets, or looking for a manufacturer for that new product you’ve been thinking about for two years, one of the BEST ways to utilize a virtual assistant is to have them do research for you.

I don’t know about you but sometimes when my head is flooded with too many ideas, it’s really hard to take action. So anytime I am considering a shift or new project that requires some research I always use my VA (yep I have a VA for my VA business) to help me narrow the scope so that I can make the higher level decisions.

Moral of the Story: You don’t have to be alone in business.

Always cheering you on from my corner of the internet! 

PS. I genuinely mean that you are not alone in business. Keep going. Keep looking. Find your people! Thank you to my BFF in life and in business, Colleen from @yggthreads – without encouragement from her I wouldn’t be here writing this today. Part of working with a VA or anyone in business is finding someone who will always push you to be your best and that is without a doubt Colleen for me. 

You are not alone my friend. 

Go find your people who believe in you big time! 

You deserve to feel supported.