Several years ago, as I was in the early stages of building my own business, my to-do list was as long as my last name and it seemed impossible to ever get it all done. I was working crazy hours but felt at times I was just spinning my wheels. A trusted colleague confronted me one day with the question “Why are you doing it all yourself?” Good question. I thought about that for a while and realized that I felt almost compelled to do it all. I believed that having a long to do list would somehow magically result in revenue and success. What I was actually doing was just keeping myself busy – I was involved in activities that had virtually zero to do with generating revenue.
What’s wrong with this picture I asked myself? After careful analysis, I realized that I was spending way too much time on administrative tasks and not enough time on revenue generating tasks – like calling you for a meeting! Along with not like all the administrative details necessary to running a business, I wanted to be free to focus on speaking, training, coaching, creating new products and services and building positive relationships with my clients. All of this busy work was a complete energy drain!
When this happened to me several years ago, I was lucky enough to discover Virtual Assistants (VAs). VAs are virtual office managers who work from their own home or office handling administrative and project work for their clients. The great thing is that you pay them only for the hours they work, saving you the costs associated with hiring an employee.
My VA, Tonya Signa (www.signaturesupport.com), is a lifesaver. She has relieved me of many of my administrative tasks, freeing my time up to be spent as I choose and increasing my productivity – I get to work on my business rather than in it. How about them apples?!
Here are some of the ways she supports me:
- Creating my monthly enewsletter
- Entering client data into my ACT database
- Sending cards to colleagues and clients (using www.sendoutcards.com/21544)
- Setting up DiSC on-line assessments for my clients
- Researching vacation plans and options
- Posting intern jobs at various colleges
- Internet research
- And so much more
Tonya has never turned down my request for support and always delivers with accuracy, grace, and a smile – well, virtually that is. It’s a relief to know that she’s a part of my team.
If you are looking for a long-term partner to support your growth in your business and support your need for more free time, it’s important you find someone who matches your needs and personality. Also look for someone who has graduated from a VA training program, like AssistU (www.assistu.com).
To learn more about virtual assistance and/or Tonya, you can visit her website at www.signaturesupport.com.
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