Hiring a VA? Here's How to Delegate Effectively
As a busy professional, your workload has the potential to change from day to day & can be increasingly difficult to manage on your own. Delegating tasks to an assistant or new employee is a great way to reduce your workload and improve your productivity. However, delegating can be a challenge, especially if you're used to doing everything yourself right now.
If you have a hard time letting things go, know that you're not alone. Wanna know the #1 thing my clients struggle with? Handing over tasks to me! This is a problem we run into quite often. And don't blame yourself! Control is hard to let go of - even if you've paid a VA to assist you.
In this guide, I'm going to provide you with some tips on how to delegate effectively, so you can free up your time, feel more confident to let go of some control, and focus on the tasks that matter most to you.
1. Identify time-consuming tasks to delegate
The first step in delegating effectively is to identify the main tasks that you can delegate. These tasks can be time-consuming, repetitive, something you don't enjoy doing, or something that requires specialized skills that you don't have & need serious help with. This should be done BEFORE you hire a VA or an employee.
Delegating these tasks can help you free up your time and focus on the tasks that require your attention more or that you actually enjoy doing!
One of my clients was spending a lot of time writing her own blogs. This took her days to complete & by the end, she felt depleted & like she never wanted to do it again! I came in & she showed me her process & how she was currently working. I refined that process & was able to have her blog up & running smoothly in a few days! Now she has a fully-functioning blog without any of the stress.
2. Choose the right person for the job
After you've identified a list of tasks you can pass off to someone else, you need to ensure you're hiring the right person to complete them. This is when your VA search can start to happen. Look for someone who has the expertise needed to complete your list effectively.
Need help with payroll? Find a VA who specializes in bookkeeping. Need assistance with social media? There are tons of VA's who specialize in social media management & overall marketing. Need to revamp your blog or website copy? Find a VA who specializes in writing. Need a mix of a few tasks? Schedule a call with me or a fellow VA to see where their skills lie!
3. Communicate & train clearly
When delegating tasks, it's important to communicate clearly what is needed & give training when needed. If you have a little bit of control issues & have a hard time letting things go, making a Loom video training, or having a video chat to go over exactly how you do this task will remove stress from your plate, making it easier to delegate!
Be specific about your expectations, including deadlines, quality, and any other requirements that you go by. By communicating clearly, you can ensure that the task will be completed to your satisfaction.
4. Trust the process
This might be the most important part!
When you're used to doing everything yourself, delegating tasks can feel like pulling teeth! It's hard to bring someone in & hand off things you've worked so hard to build.
However, it's important to trust the process and the person that you've hired to help. Although it's important to be clear about how to complete a task, avoid micromanaging and give the person the freedom to complete the task in their own way - especially if it's more efficient! This will help to build trust and empower the person to do their best work. You won't regret it!
5. Follow-up and provide feedback
It's important to follow up with your new helper and provide them meaningful feedback. Check-in periodically to see how they're doing with your business tasks and provide any necessary feedback. This can ensure that the task is completed to your satisfaction, help them improve their skills, and make everyone feel more confident.
Don't delay the delegation!
Delegating to a new person can be challenging, but it's an essential skill for busy professionals who want to improve their productivity and reduce their workload.
Looking to start delegating your business tasks? Let's chat about what you're looking for!