I'd love to see this thread develop into an informative resource for potential clients and other people interested in finding and hiring a Virtual Assistant - so, please post a reply here with your own thoughts, suggestions, and best advice on How to Hire a Virtual Assistant.

What advice would you give potential clients looking for a VA?

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I answered a similar question for an interview recently. Here is my contribution:

What are the 3 most important questions to ask a potential client during an initial consultation?

1. What do you think you need?
2. What do you expect from me?
3. Are you willing to sign a contract?

Know the answer to those three questions before contacting me. Because, I'm going to ask them!

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

The key to a partnership with your VA is communication. When selecting the right VA, have a conversation with them to get a feel for communication skills as well as your first impression of each other. Most VA's offer a complimentary phone consultation for this very reason. For the relationship to be successful, you must be able to convey your thoughts and goals and they must be willing to listen along with adding their input to the task at hand.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

1. Study the VA's website. It should be a good representation of the VA's character and offerings. Is it attractive to you, does it seem to answer your needs?
2. Get really truly clear on what work you want the VA to accomplish. Write down a job description. Be clear about how the VA's work fits in to your overall operation, and about what return you expect on your investment.

That's 2 cents. Here's a 3rd for good measure:

3. At least at first, concentrate hard on prompt and clear communications. Give the long-distance relationship a fighting chance by sharing your attention generously. After the work flow is well established, your laser-focus can ease up considerably.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

1. Create a list of the tasks you need done.
2. Create a list of the qualifications you want in a VA.

Once you have created the two lists, you can now search for a VA that best fits your criteria.

You may end up interviewing several VAs, but, with the combination of list 1 and list 2, this will help narrow down your search to but a few VAs rather than a few hundred VAs.

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|