Virtual Assistant Guides

Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 315 posts · 63 votes

Hello,

To those who have experience using virtual assistance, how detailed is the instruction you provide? I was planning on composing a detailed step by step instruction and supplement it with a video demonstration. While building the steps I wasn't sure how detailed I need to be. Should it be general and short or overly comprehensive and very long? It becomes more difficult when trying to detail the numerous ways to look up information given a lead, e.g. once identifying one parcel associated with a individual to review the information to identify more owners and parcels. How much ingenuity can I expect without detailing explicit steps for all the different approaches?

What are strategies are you emplimenting?

Thank you for your concern.

- Joe

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Shaunda Hayes

Specialist · Upper Marlboro, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 80 votes

10y

Hi Joe!

The answer to that question is quite hard to answer because simply put, all VA's are different. Your instructions might be harder for a non-native English speaking VA with no experience with real estate to understand versus a native English speaking VA who is also a licensed realtor. It all depends on the tasks you would like your VA to complete and again, the specific VA.

In my experience, if you want it done correctly, you should definitely spell it out in detail. Worst case scenario, your VA won't get it and you will need to hire a new one, but you still have your technical videos for your new VA who just might get it w/o all the extensive instruction. So it's definitely worth the small investment of time. You really have to gauge the capabilities of your assistant, he/she may not need detailed instructions based on how much experience they have with the tasks you are asking for. This is something that you can avoid if you ask the right questions when it comes to hiring your VA. Let me know if you have any other questions/concerns, or need help with questions for hiring the right VA for your needs. Hope this helps!

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Shaunda Hayes
Specialist · Upper Marlboro, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 80 votes
10y
Hi Joe!
The answer to that question is quite hard to answer because simply put, all VA's are different. Your instructions might be harder for a non-native English speaking VA with no experience with real estate to understand versus a native English speaking VA who is also a licensed realtor. It all depends on the tasks you would like your VA to complete and again, the specific VA.
In my experience, if you want it done correctly, you should definitely spell it out in detail. Worst case scenario, your VA won't get it and you will need to hire a new one, but you still have your technical videos for your new VA who just might get it w/o all the extensive instruction. So it's definitely worth the small investment of time. You really have to gauge the capabilities of your assistant, he/she may not need detailed instructions based on how much experience they have with the tasks you are asking for. This is something that you can avoid if you ask the right questions when it comes to hiring your VA. Let me know if you have any other questions/concerns, or need help with questions for hiring the right VA for your needs. Hope this helps!
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OP
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 315 posts · 63 votes
10y
@Shaunda Hayes,
Thanks for the insight. It is greatly appreciated. I was leaning towards VA help out of the country to save some money but I need to have reasonable expectation going that route. Get what you pay for type of arrangement I suppose. What has your experience been with out of the country VA's?
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Shaunda Hayes
Specialist · Upper Marlboro, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 80 votes
10y
Actually, although I own a VA company, I have a great deal of experience working with oversea VA's. I recently found a great VA and she has been pretty consistent. As far as quality is concerned, I can definitely say that you kind of get what you pay for. Every evening I type out instructions for her work and feedback for her work from the previous day. She understands pretty well, but again, many times I have to send work back for edits. I can send you some of the instruction sheets that I send to her if you would like to see my approach. Also, PM me with the amount of hours you need per month and your monthly budget, and I may be able to point you in the right direction.
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Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
10y
@Account Closed said in her first post.
And yes, you do get what you pay for, but an amazing overseas VA isn't going to cost much more than a mediocre one.
The detailed instructions (written as you do it yourself so you don't forget any steps) is a great way to double check your practices, and the VA doesn't have to worry about writing it all down and missing something.
[email protected]Podcast Guest on Show #261
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OP
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 315 posts · 63 votes
10y
@Shaunda Hayes,
Can I share with you a few of my procedures? I'd really appreciate your feedback. Thank you for the PM request!
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Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 315 posts · 63 votes
10y
@Mindy Jensen,
I thought overseas VA where much more affordable but it sounds like they may not be very functional. If you use a VA now, what type of tasks do you have them do?
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Shaunda Hayes
Specialist · Upper Marlboro, MD · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 80 votes
10y
@Account Closed Sure! I would be happy to give you some feedback on your procedures.

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