How to Run a Small Business More Efficiently with Virtual Assistants

Small business owners constantly have to juggle priorities and multi-task. Outsourcing some of the day to day activities of running a business is a simple way of improving efficiency. Virtual assistants can free up time and allow you to focus on the parts of your business you enjoy and which make you money. For example, a professional photographer can spend more time taking pictures if he outsources administration, accounting and marketing to freelance workers.

There are many advantages to hiring virtual assistants. You only pay them for work they complete, and avoid the costs of hiring full-time employees. Independent contractors work remotely, so you don't need office space and avoid the costs of supplying computers and other equipment. Most virtual assistants specialize in a particular type of work, and this gives you access to expertise when you need it.

Outsourcing the following tasks will give you more time to manage and grow your business:

1) Customer service.

Developments in technology mean you can appoint a virtual call center to deal with customer enquiries. Calls can be re-directed to customer service representatives, leaving you to get on with your daily business activities. Missing calls can mean missing sales opportunities, so using virtual assistants to handle calls can increase your profits.

2) Business administration.

Entrepreneurs don't always enjoy the administration necessary to run a business, and this is another thing you can outsource to other people. A virtual assistant can help to manage company emails and correspondence, collate invoices and help with bookkeeping. It may take time to get used to working this way, but it will eventually save hours each week. Regular calls or Skype chats with your virtual assistant can be used to discuss items needing attention and give instructions.

3) Website design and administration.

Creating a basic website isn't difficult, but it's best left to someone with the right skills and experience. As well as producing a website that looks great, an experienced designer can ensure it meets search engine optimization (SEO) rules. Once your business site is live, it will need regular maintenance and updates. A virtual assistant can also manage security issues and ensure that your site doesn't become vulnerable to hackers.

4) Online reputation management.

The rise of social media and online forums means businesses need to monitor feedback and manage their reputations online. A few negative comments by unhappy customers can have a severe impact. A virtual assistant can set up a process to search the Internet for what's being said about your business. If negative reviews appear, the assistant can reply or address the issues raised. Over time, the online reputation management process can be used to improve the ranking of your website.

5) Marketing support. 

Freelancers with marketing skills can be a great asset to a small business. You can hire them to do everything from writing advertising copy to managing email marketing campaigns. As well as planning and managing marketing activities, virtual assistants can also monitor their success and produce reports. Marketing can be one of the most time consuming aspects of running a business, but if it's neglected an enterprise has little chance of growing.

6) Social media updates.

Social media marketing is one of the most powerful ways of building and maintaining relationships with prospects and customers. A virtual assistant can post content and help to build your followers on services like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  

There are several websites where you can find virtual assistants for single projects or ongoing assignments. You can often check feedback from business owners who have previously hired them, and this is a great way of ensuring you'll receive quality work.