Determine your wants and needs
Before hiring a virtual assistant, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for. Why are you seeking out help? Do you know what qualities you are looking for? Do you have specific tasks that you have lined up for them to do?
Creating a solid plan ensures that both you and your new VA are aware of the requirements and no one is left in the dark.
Once you establish what you want from your VA, you can go about deciding what qualities and skills are needed for the job. This all comes down to the list of jobs you wish to outsource, and whether you need an all-rounder who can carry out multiple tasks or someone with a specific skill.
Establish your budget
Working out how much you can afford to spend on a virtual assistant is essential to factor it into your budget.
In the UK, the average cost of VA is from £25 - £35 per hour, but this can vary depending on region and area of expertise. If a virtual assistant has specialist knowledge or skills, you can expect costs to be at the higher end of the spectrum. Companies with a team of virtual assistants also tend to charge a higher price.
Many people choose to hire a virtual assistant outside of the UK to reduce costs. However, beware of issues such as language barriers, insurance and data protection, and always make sure you check credentials before hiring.
Decide if you want an industry-specific VA
Many photographers prefer to work with a virtual assistant who has experience in the photography sector.
These types of VAs may know more about the booking process, or how to onboard new clients, or specific industry-related marketing techniques that others may struggle with.
Deciding if you want a VA who speaks your business language is important so that you can seek out the right person for you.
This all depends on what your requirements are. If, for example, you are looking for someone to create social media content for you, it may be worth hiring a VA who has a background in photography or has worked in the sector before. Your social media content should showcase your thought leadership, so hiring someone who knows how the industry works may be beneficial in this case.
Need special skills? Seek them out
If you’re finding a particular aspect of your photography business challenging, hiring a virtual assistant to manage it is ideal if you don’t have the time or the skillset to do so.
Setting up new systems (like Studio Ninja or Dubsado), for example, can be both complicated and time-consuming for some, which is why many photographers choose to hire VAs to do this for them.
If you struggle with content creation, many virtual assistants are experienced in social media management and can help ease the pressure of self-promotion.
A great place to start is to write a list of all the things you do (or should be doing) for your business and highlight the ones that you love working on. Those that aren’t highlighted should be considered for outsourcing; any jobs that you dislike or find particularly challenging are ideal for delegation! You may find that your list is quite lengthy, so hone in on the tasks that will make the biggest difference to both your success and quality of life.
Get to know a few VAs
You’ve put a lot of time and effort into building your business and growing your reputation, so it’s important to feel comfortable with the person you’re letting in.
If you’re hesitant to commit straight away, many virtual assistants offer a free call to discuss their services, so make sure you take advantage of this and get to know your VA and what they can do for you.
Communication is one of the most important things in any business relationship, so make sure you establish your needs from the get-go so everyone is on the same page. And don’t be afraid to ask questions or check out their reviews!
Most virtual assistants are happy to put you at ease by going through their processes, how they work and their time frames so that you’re as knowledgeable as possible.
Virtual assistants can be a huge asset to your photography business. If you prepare your wants and needs in advance, establish your budget from the get-go, and do your research about what specialist skills you want your VA to have, you can hire someone truly special to ease the strain of jobs you dislike doing and, ultimately, become an important part of your team.
Want to find out more about hiring a VA for your photography business? Get in touch!
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