How to Train, Work, Motivate and Pay Your Virtual Assistants!

Ask Chris #002: How to Work with Virtual Assistants (3 Top Questions Answered!)

January 19, 2011 15 Comments

I’ve been running my outsourcing business, the Live2Sell Group, for just over 5 years now. We started out as a telemarketing provider, then branched into customer service and support and then, in the early part of 2008 we launched our virtual assistant services (even though we had been providing them to existing clients since 2006, literally, in some way shape or form).

Then, last year I launched my Virtual Staff Finder service, where we help entrepreneurs, online marketers, niche and affiliate marketers, business owners and basically anyone that wants to hire virtual staff, but doesn’t want to go through all the searching, interviewing, background checks, etc., to get the little diamonds in the rough they need to help promote and build their business.

I have written tons of posts on the subject of virtual assistants, recorded a full series of free video tips on the subject for my YouTube Channel, and been interviewed time and time again on the topic. Yet, the subject of VA’s and how to find them, train them, work with them, etc., is probably still one of the most requested topics of conversation from me, than anything else.

This month, so far, has been no different, with a surge in sign-up’s for Virtual Staff Finder and a ton of emails on the subject. It seems that people just can’t get enough tips and tactics on working with virtual assistants. So, in this edition of ‘Ask Chris’ I answer the following questions, which have been collated from a whole bunch of you smart, savvy VBL Followers!

What is the best way to train my virtual assistant?
How do I keep my virtual assistant motivated and happy to work for me?
How much do I pay my virtual assistant?

I figured this would also be a good opportunity to dip into the VBL Archives a little, and produce a little link-juice for you all – so check out these popular past posts on the same subject, too!

Hope you enjoy the answers, and be sure to comment below with your questions for the next edition!

Over 50 pages of FREE Awesomeness!!!

Everything you'll ever need to know about finding, hiring, training and working with Virual Assistants. Oh, and there's even an AudioBook version to go along with it! Enjoy.

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Comments

Wilson says:

January 19, 2011 at 11:02 pm

Thanks for answering these questions. I’ve learned that working with virtual assistants is not as easy as we might think. But it can be if we know how to treat people and the communication is great.

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 19, 2011 at 11:20 pm
  
  You got it, right there, Wilson. You’re bang on – its all about the communication.
  
  Thanks for the input, buddy!
  
  C
  
Matthew Needham says:

January 20, 2011 at 12:54 am

Great video Chris. I think these tips are useful. One thing that I always do is to ask the VA to confirm what they believe is being asked of them to confirm their understanding of your requirements.

Good tip about screen sharing too…

Thanks, Matthew

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 20, 2011 at 1:01 pm
  
  Thanks, Matthew.
  
  I agree, asking for that confirmation is a good idea, too – especially when you first start working with someone.
  
  However, this shouldnt last forever – slowly, but surely you should start to feel more and more comfortable with them, and the confirmation shouldnt be required.
  
  C
  
Michelle Dale, Virtual Miss Friday says:

January 20, 2011 at 6:14 am

Nice post Chris, you are looking very relaxed in your studio

May I add a tip to question number 1 – whenever you do the training videos, emails, audios, skype chats etc… any kind of virtual training in any form, always document it and record everything in a central database – like a company intranet – so you can easily reference any material back to your VA or to any new VA’s to save you collating or searching for it again, it will be like a directory of everything to do with your business.

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 20, 2011 at 1:03 pm
  
  Hi Michelle
  
  Great point – in fact, I do that, with a separate Dropbox account that I set up and share with my staff. It works like a dream…
  
  I must say, I dont include EVERYTHING in there, but anything related to the training and development of my staff is certainly there, and shared with not just VAs, but also my management team, too. Although some have access to certain folders and some to ALL folders.
  
  Thanks for the insight.
  
  C
  
  - Michelle Dale, Virtual Miss Friday says:
    
    January 20, 2011 at 4:56 pm
    
    I am a big fan of DropBox – it’s Awesome Also loving the iPad app for it.
    
    - Chris C. Ducker says:
      
      January 20, 2011 at 8:40 pm
      
      Oh good God, yes. I love it – even have it on my iPhone, too.
      
      Great tool and fantastically easy to use App, too.
      
      You’re loving that new iPad of yours, aren’t you!!!!??
      
      C
      
Stuart says:

January 20, 2011 at 7:02 pm

Communication is king! Great viewing Chris, as always.

Hope your new blogging format is treating you kindly

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 20, 2011 at 8:39 pm
  
  So far, so good, Stuart.
  
  And this week I’ve already drafted 3 awesome articles out, too. Some really good stuff (if I may say so myself!). Looking forward to seeing what people think of them.
  
  Thanks for the comment, bud.
  
  C
  
Allan Cobbs says:

January 21, 2011 at 1:15 pm

Great information video Chris.

I believe you and I should talk Chris as soon as possible.

I was recently invited on “The Balancing Act” Morning Show on LIFETIME television and I want to run some info by you.

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 21, 2011 at 1:47 pm
  
  Hi Allan
  
  Good stuff. Glad you liked the video.
  
  Feel free to contact me anytime, bud.
  
  C
  
Nica says:

January 21, 2011 at 10:49 pm

Great video Chris! Really helpful for someone like me who’s concerned about training members of my VA team! Looking forward to your next video.

- Chris C. Ducker says:
  
  January 22, 2011 at 4:07 pm
  
  Hi Nica
  
  Glad you liked the vid.
  
  FYI, in future I will be posting these on the Facebook page instead of the blog. So if you haven’t ‘Liked’ it yet, go for it!
  
  C
  
Florante says:

January 22, 2011 at 1:41 pm

Great post! The training tips were very useful. I particularly find doing the walk through tutorials over Skype more convenient and easy than email or screencasting. The ability to provide real time feedback on the training is a big advantage to really ensure that the instructions were clearly understood.