Why a Small Business Virtual Assistant Should Be Your First Hire
You’ve thought about starting your practice and now is the time to hit the “GO” button… But from filing for your EIN, making your website, determining next steps, it can all be overwhelming. This is why before even starting your practice, consider hiring a virtual assistant.
Here are the top 7 reasons to hire a virtual assistant before even starting your business.
1. Helps you define your business
Many business owners don’t take time to stop and reflect on their business goals which can lead to spending too much time on unnecessary projects. By listing out your business plan, vision, and objectives, you are going to learn what are your top goals and ideal clients. Talking through your elevator pitch with your virtual assistant can help clarify and define what makes your practice unique. Being clear on what the your priorities are from day one helps so you and your assistant are on the same page.
2. Have someone help with the workload
Reading emails at 1 AM
Writing to-do lists without enough time to get it done
Squeezing in tasks during every possible break
Let’s face it. Whether you are working on your business full-time or on top of your 9-5, you will need all the help you can get.
Small business virtual assistants can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Things like creating comparisons on programs or researching your next business step. They can also create checklists and calendars so you don’t forget a task or miss a deadline.
Too many people think they must do it all. This can lead to burnout in any career and is especially dangerous for business owners. Often this is phrased as “workingin your business instead of workingon your business.” Trust and rely on your hired experts and shift your mindset to be:
I am a leader that needs to spend time making executive business decisions. While I still should be knowledgeable on what is happening, I can also trust those I hired to provide me quality information so I can make my decision. I don’t need to do all the work alone. If I am too exhausted from working, I won’t have time or mental capacity to make good business decisions.
3. Get organized from the beginning
A small business virtual assistant can set up standard operating procedures (SOPs), email templates, document organization, auto-payments, and other tasks to standardize your business operations. You can stay focused on your goals and growing your practice while the virtual assistant can help automate and simplify your day-to-day.
4. Accountability partner
Hiring someone makes it real. You have someone checking in to help with tasks and projects. This built in accountability partner allows you to keep true to your word and finish tasks on time.
5. Keeps you going even when life happens
You start your practice, but life keeps going - kids starting school, holidays, trip planned, friend’s birthdays - your calendar gets booked up in a blink of an eye. Having a virtual assistant provides a relief that your business can keep running smoothly even when you are on PTO.
6. Grows with you
When you are ready to start expanding your business and hiring team members, your virtual assistant can help you with every step of the way:
Compare payroll softwares to meet your needs
Help draft a job listing
Pre-screen candidates
Set up interviews
Onboard new staff (Remember reason #3? You are organized from the beginning, so it’s easy to get new staff up to date on your processes!)
7. Encouragement
One of my favorite reasons to be a virtual assistant is that I get to be there through the milestones. From hiring your first employee, being open for one year, and many more milestones, you have someone on your side cheering on your accomplishments and wins!
Starting your practice doesn’t have to be scary or daunting. Getting support from the beginning simplifies your business life. Want to learn more? Reach out through our contact form to learn how Purple Pandas can support your new private practice.