5 Ways to Find Freelancing Virtual Assistants

Credit: by Pressmaster on Photodune

As a freelancer, there are always days when I could use a spare pair of hands. Just having someone who can send out some emails or reformat a couple of files to meet a clients needs can make a world of difference.

But, also as a freelancer, Im not really in a position to hire someone as a full-time employee and pay all the payroll taxes and other expenses that go along with such an arrangement. Hiring someone on a contract basis, like a virtual assistant, for just those hours that I need her, is the simplest solution. From there, it becomes a matter of finding the right virtual assistant.

1. Ask for recommendations. If you were looking to hire an accountant or a lawyer, youd probably ask for recommendations right off the bat. The same should be true of a VA if you can find someone who raves about a particular virtual assistant, thats a good sign.

   On the other hand, if you find that your network has had bad experiences with a particular virtual assistant, its probably best to avoid working with that individual. One persons poor experience doesnt guarantee problems, but why risk it?

2. Look for a specialized skill set. If there is one task or project you absolutely have to hand over to a VA before it drives you out of your mind, start with searching for a VA who actually specializes in that sort of work (or at least lists it as a service on his website).

   Start with your immediate needs. You can always work with multiple virtual assistants if you need a different skill set in the future. Finding such virtual assistants can be simply a matter of running a few searches online for that very specific skill you need.

3. Go to the big organizations. Virtual assistants have professional organizations, just like any other industry. One of the biggest is the International Virtual Assistants Association. Members of the IVAA and similar organizations in good standing have an additional credential beyond many of the other VAs you might consider.
4. Train your own. Im lucky enough to have a whole bunch of smart teenage relatives who are looking for jobs. Over the summer, I kept my sixteen year old sister busy working as my VA, with just a little bit of training.

   If you know someone looking for work (or have a younger relation that you can press into service), work out a deal that youll train them for a reduced rate.

5. Use a virtual staffing agency. Especially if youre looking for a VA based overseas, a staffing agency can speed up the process and help you make sure that youre getting the right person. Companies like Virtual Staff Finder will test VAs and help you narrow down the field quickly.

These strategies are a starting point for finding the right virtual assistant to help you with your freelancing. You may have to look deeply to find the right person, but the help you get will likely be worth the effort.

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