Before you talk to prospective virtual assistants, be prepared. Consider the following:

	What are your short- and long-term business goals?
	How do you envision a partnership with a virtual assistant (VA)?
	What type(s) of work do you want a VA to do for you? (During an interview, a VA should be able to give you some ideas on how these tasks will be handled to ease your workload.)
	When do you need your VA to be available to you—regular business hours or flexible hours?
	Can all of your business support requirements be fulfilled without meeting with your VA physically, or do you have needs that require a local VA?
	What are the computer systems and applications you frequently
	Is your style collaborative or are you more of a lone wolf? (Since lone wolves find it difficult to delegate, a VA can make suggestions for easier delegation.)
	What does a virtual assistant need to understand about working with you?
	·How much energy and time are you willing to invest in this relationship?
	What is your budget for a VA? Understand how each VA you interview charges and invoices for her/his services.

Before interviewing potential candidates, make a list of your ideal VA qualities, abilities, knowledge and characteristics. “Grade” each VA interviewee according to this list as well as the above-mentioned areas. Let your gut guide you in the final decision.

Always, always, always check references, and be ready to provide your references to VAs who ask for them.

Use a VA to your maximum advantage by helping her to understand what your goals are, and how she can help you get organized and assist you in achieving them. Those ideas, projects and stacks can quickly and easily start to dissolve if you communicate with and delegate to your VA. Should you need an expert in a certain area, most VAs are well prepared with additional resources to get things done.

Virtual assistants can perform and provide resources for a wide range of services, some of which are:

	Data entry.
	Database management.
	Marketing assistance—writing, marketing collateral development.
	Contact management and appointment scheduling.
	Bookkeeping, bill paying and collections.
	Travel and event planning.
	Customer service.
	Preparation of press releases, presentations and newsletters.
	Website setup and maintenance.
	Corporate gift buying.
	Some VAs even run errands.

About the Author: Victoria Munro is co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly® LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for small-business owners through creatively designed programs and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different businesses. To receive FREE business success articles with tips to help you with your business, sign up for their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,” at: www.Make-it-Fly.com, and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics & Tips.

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