Finding the right Virtual Assistant for you isn’t an easy task. But once you’ve found the right VA, you need to do all you can to keep them. You want that working relationship to flourish, as your VA can become an indispensable part of your business. That’s why it’s so crucial that you don’t p*ss off your Virtual Assistant with your bad habits, work ethic and general bad manners.
So if you’re wondering what bad habits I’m talking about, here’s a list of 10 client traits to avoid!
#1: Thinking that support is available 24/7 is a sure-fire way to annoy your Virtual Assistant
When you work with a Virtual Assistant, you’re not getting them on tap. They have set working hours and a standard response time. Getting snappy when they don’t instantly reply to your 10 pm email will not endear you to them! Just remember that your VA is working with several clients and is not a 24-hour business.
#2: Having unrealistic expectations around work turnaround
This is another one to watch for. No matter who your VA is, your contract will detail the usual turnaround time for work to be completed. And I can guarantee that it isn’t going to be back within an hour. Check your contract for standard turnaround times.
#3: Leaving things to the last minute
If you wait until late on a Friday to hand over the work you need by the end of that same week, you are going to p*ss off your Virtual Assistant. You’ll also not get your work back by the end of the day!
A brain dump can help here, as it will help you get organised and prioritise things, so take a look at How a brain dump can free your mind and sort your task list.
#4: Expecting your VA to know how to do everything
Get to know the type of work your VA can do for you. There’s a lot of talk at the moment about how a VA can do anything in a business. But they’re not specialists in all areas of business. So check if they can do a task before you hand it over.
#5: Don’t p*ss off your Virtual Assistant by going radio silent on them
If you want to build a good working relationship with your VA, stay in touch with them. It’s incredibly annoying when they need your input or go-ahead, and you go radio silent on them.
#6: Micromanaging every task you hand over
Let your Virtual Assistant have space and time to do your tasks. If you’re trying to micromanage everything and demanding constant updates, you’re just making that task take longer than it needs. Ask yourself – Are you trusting your VA to do what you expect of them?
#7: Expecting your VA to read your mind
Your VA isn’t a mind reader. If you have no clarity around a task and give vague instructions, you can’t then blame your VA when it doesn’t turn out how you want. Ensure you’re always communicating your needs in a clear, precise manner.
#8: Not treating them with respect
When you outsource to a VA, you’re passing work over to another business owner – one who is a professional in their own right. Please treat them with the same respect you expect from them. Talking down to them, acting as if they’re not intelligent and just a hired helping hand, will only p*ss them off.
#9: Showing no appreciation will push your Virtual Assistant’s buttons
Gratitude is another area you need to brush up on if you want the relationship to flourish. If you offer no encouragement, appreciation or thanks, don’t be surprised if they end up dropping you in favour of someone who shows appreciation. Here’s a blog that will help you understand how important this is: Why gratitude is such an important element of business.
#10: Pulling the urgent card when it isn’t an emergency
Finally, understand what constitutes a true emergency. You cannot pull the urgent card and demand a quicker turnaround just because you forget to ask for help earlier. It’s incredibly annoying to squeeze in extra work to accommodate an emergency – only to then be told that it wasn’t really urgent.
It’s crucial you find the right support for your business, especially if you’re looking to build a good relationship with your Virtual Assistant. By being aware of the bad traits above, you can do what’s needed to help that relationship flourish. If you’re looking for a tailored virtual administration solution, why not book a discovery call and let’s talk.