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Do you need help? Read part one of the series here: Three Signs That It’s Time to Get Some Help

At some point, a one-(wo)man business has to hire help, partner with some other talented professionals, or suffer the consequences: stagnation, burnout, and disenchantment. I would encourage you to begin to weigh the benefits and risks of moving forward and getting some help in one of these three forms.

Three Types of Help to Choose From

1. Contract a Freelance Assistant (through UpWork.com or Freelancer.com)

This is, to be blunt, the cheapest option. You can hire someone for practically pennies to take over some of your redundant work. This can be a great option for a soloprenuer who wants to test the waters of delegation.

Pros:

It is often the cheapest option
There are tons of applicants to choose from
The freelance website has contracts and non-disclosure agreements built in
You know your payments will be secure
Minimal personal information can be exchanged
The Freelancer will have all needed hardware and software to complete work

Cons:

You get what you pay for, usually
There will be tons of applicants to wade through with a huge variance in skill
You probably can’t delegate your most complex tasks
You may have trouble finding a native English-speaker

Tips: Write a thorough job description, and include something asking applicants to do something special when they send in a proposal. This can help you weed out inappropriate candidates more quickly. When you delegate, start small, with tasks that are easy to accomplish and won’t lead to disaster if they’re done wrong. Build up trust and test the abilities of your freelancer before increasing the workload.

2. Partner With a Solo Virtual Assistant (or Virtual Assistant Agency)

This is a step up from the previous option. You won’t find them on UpWork.com, but you may find them on Virtual Assistant job boards or VA networking groups on Facebook or LinkedIn. You can also find them through your personal network, by asking people you trust for referrals.

Pros:

This option is very affordable
The solo VA is a business owner, and is therefore highly professional and will understand your needs and struggles intimately
Can integrate more thoroughly with your business and team
The VA will provide and sign a contract and NDA with you to keep your personal information safe
The VA will have all needed hardware and software to complete work

Cons:

Usually somewhat more expensive than an Upwork.com Freelancer
If you’re not going on a referral, there may be a trust issue when it comes to sharing logins, passwords, etc
You may find that you struggle with feeling of a lack of control over when and how your tasks are completed, since this VA is usually quite independent

Tips: Since your Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor, he sets his own hours and availability, so make sure you discuss how your expectations align with that! Talk to a few VAs on the phone or on a video chat and see if you click with one more than the other; it’s important to be able to communicate well with this person, and it helps if you share a similar work philosophy and communication style. If possible, jump in with both feet, but also give your new relationship time to work out the inevitable kinks.

3. Hire an In-House Assistant

You may just need someone there with you in person, and it’s always an option to hire an assistant to come and work with you in your office.

Pros:

This is the more tangible form of help
It is easier for the non-tech-savvy person to delegate and understand how long it takes the assistant to complete tasks
You can set the schedule and available hours for the assistant and have full control over what is done when
You can specify exactly how you want everything done and train your assistant to do it your way

Cons:

You have to find and interview candidates in person and call references, which can be very time-consuming
You have to provide the legally binding employee forms, including any non-disclosure or non-compete agreements you want signed
You have to cover not only payroll but also expenses, taxes, and benefits for your new employee, making this the most expensive option in most cases
You will likely need to supply hardware and software such as a desk and a computer with MS Office for the assistant to complete work

Tips: Please get professional legal and financial advice about the implications of hiring an employee. You’ll need to get an office space ready for your new assistant and specifically define job duties. Make sure to examine the resumes carefully before choosing and call references to verify reliability!

Which Option is Right for You?

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider. No single option is best for everyone. Do you need to be in control, or is it more in your nature to be able to delegate and let go? Do you work from home? (If so, it might be hard to provide office space for an in-house assistant.) Do you want to partner with a professional who has her own insights into running a business, or do you just want someone to take over some busy work?

Weigh your options, and choose wisely! Keep in mind that if you feel your assistant is not quite meeting your needs, it may be that you’re working with the wrong type of assistant, or it may be that the assistant herself is not a good match for you and your business. Come back next week, as we will be talking about vetting your virtual assistant candidate.

Continue to part three: Three Virtual Assistant Vetting Tips

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