As a virtual assistant, I specialize in helping my clients get more customers or clients with online marketing strategies. When I’m working with my clients, of course I want them all to have exceptional results from our work together. And my clients want (often expect) those same exceptional results.  But at the same time my clients might just be starting out, or have a small budget available, so they want to know if we can still get good results with only 5-10 hours a month. Realistically, what kind of expectations can you have when you only want to use my services a few hours a month?

Even with a limited budget, a lot of good results can come from just a few hours if they’re used the right way. Here’s some tips for helping you leverage a limited virtual assistance budget:

1. Communicate expectations on a regular basis. “Set it and forget it” doesn’t often work with a virtual assistant. Your VA is an integral part of your business (if she’s doing her job correctly), even if she’s only working with you a few hours a month. You should be having a short conversation monthly with her, letting her know what you want to accomplish each month, at the start of the month.  Then make sure your VA communicates with you what can and can’t be done in the time or budget you have allocated for that month. This doesn’t need to be a drawn-out conversation. It can usually be done quickly through email.

2. Keep the momentum and be consistent. When your budget (and thus the time your VA works with you) is limited, it can be difficult to keep the momentum going and in turn see real results. However, this can be overcome by retaining your virtual assistant on a consistent, monthly basis, rather than booking her time whenever the mood hits, with no real plan. This can make a huge difference in the results you see from your work together. Your virtual assistant needs to be in the loop and stay in the loop in order to understand your business and be invested in your business success.

3. Pick your tasks carefully. A virtual assistant can get a lot done (more than you thought possible) if you delegate projects that are defined and manageable. That means they have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Try to delegate projects that are  achievable without much input from you, and that also don’t eat up a huge chunk of your budget.

So even if you have a small budget, you’ll still achieve some incredible results by effectively utilizing the services of a virtual assistant. If you want to find out how I can help you market your business in only 10 hours a month, contact me today for a free 30 minute consultation.

Tagged as: Increasing business, online marketing, Virtual assistant