Virtual assistants provide a wealth of benefits to you and your real estate company if the collaboration is executed properly. If you are trying to decide if a VA is right for you, you need to keep the following tips in mind to make sure you make the most out of your newest addition to the team.
Communicate the Duties and Responsibilities
A virtual assistant typically doesn’t require extensive training, but you will need to spend some time with them just as you would an in-house team member. Don’t expect them to come fully equipped with your systems and desires understood, you will need to communicate your needs and expectations. Creating daily lists and goals, with deadlines, will ensure the most important tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Determine the Highest Priorities
n real estate, priorities often change quickly, and this can be problematic if you don’t communicate how you want them to be handled. Provide a list of priorities over a monthly or quarterly period then have follow-up meetings to see if anything has changed and whether the goals are being met.
Let It Go – Just like the movie Frozen
It’s daunting to give up control in your business, but if you want your virtual assistant to do what you hired them for, you have to explain your needs, and back off so he or she can do it. You can always check in on certain projects, but constantly interrupting them means the work won’t get done and means that you are taking yourself away from your priorities. Once you’ve explained what you expect, let the VA come to you if there are any questions – that’s what you’re paying for.
Develop Specific Scripts
Real estate can be repetitive, but this can be a good thing. Creating scripts for certain responses will make sure your virtual assistant responds in the same manner that you would, so every client receives the same information. This is also a helpful way to make sure that someone in another state or country who may not be familiar with all the laws in your state always provides correct information.
Use Your Virtual Assistant
Handing over the reins on anything you’ve been doing yourself is difficult, but you should always consider your VA’s abilities. If they have the experience and knowledge, you should always delegate more responsibilities. This will free up your time, and make better use of your virtual assistant.
Feedback Is Important
The virtual assistant/broker relationship is unique when compared to traditional employees, but some things are the same. Feedback is the only way that your virtual assistant will know if there are things he or she can improve on, or if there are things that are done beyond your expectations. Successful collaboration has to be built on mutual respect, and providing feedback is a great way to make that happen. Make sure to ask the VA for feedback as well – there could be slight changes that would be beneficial for both of you.
Working with a real estate virtual assistant allows you to grow your business. Follow these tips, and your assistant will be a valuable asset to your team.
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