How to get started with hiring your first Virtual Interior design assistant
Taking the first steps to hire a virtual assistant can be daunting - here are tips and ideas on how to ensure that you effectively delegate tasks to your virtual assistant or outsourcing team.
Clearly define your goal and objectives
Growing your business as a sole interior designer can be very demanding and honestly, as we all know there are only so many hours in a day! Take the time to jot down exactly what you want to accomplish with delegating tasks to a Virtual design assistant. What are your business goals? Would you like to grow your business by taking on more or bigger projects, would you like to have more of a work-life balance, would you like to spend more time on the creative side of the business? These are great reasons. Writing down these goals is the first step in deciding where you will need help in accomplishing your business goal.
How do I know which tasks I am comfortable with outsourcing?
If you find yourself doing the same thing over and over again and you have a clear process in place then you are ready to create a template for that tasks or outsource that tasks to a VA. To become more aware of which tasks can be delegated to your VA, start taking note of repetitive tasks and mini tasks that can easily be passed on to your assistant. Drafting and rendering tasks are also great to outsource, as it doesn’t require lots of input from the designer once the design is finalized.
Budget
Hiring an assistant doesn’t have to break the bank - if you are unsure of taking this step, then start with a set amount of hours per week to help you with your budget. As you grow, you can always add more hours to your VAs list.
Task List
Create a detailed list of tasks and responsibilities you plan to delegate. This can include administrative, research, social media, content creation, or any other relevant tasks.
Instructions and Guidelines
To be successful in delegating tasks your VA will need clear and comprehensive guidelines for each task or responsibility. Be sure to include any specific instructions related to your design projects and make sure you include checklists and time lines.
Access and Tools
Ensure your virtual assistant has access to the necessary tools and software for the tasks they will handle (e.g., project management tools, design software, communication platforms).
Communication Plan
Establish a communication plan from day 1 with your virtual assistant - discuss how you will communicate and how often. Also choose the channels for communicating, will it be email, video calls or project management software such as Trello? If you don’t have Project management software in place, be sure to get in touch about our 1:1 Trello training and with our ready to use Templates you can be productive in no time.
Project updates
We recommend weekly updates at the end of Friday each week to report the amount of hours and also all the tasks which were accomplished that week. A look ahead to the following week is also great to make sure the VAs is available for the tasks you are planning.
Remember that effective outsourcing is a collaborative effort, and open communication, clear expectations, and a well-structured approach are key to its success.