The 10 Tasks You Should Be Outsourcing

Probably the most asked question about hiring a VA, after the ‘how’ and ‘why’, is "What tasks should I be outsourcing?" The answer isn’t as cookie cutter as you may imagine…it really depends on factors like your business/industry, overall goals for growth or sales and what you’re comfortably passing on for someone else to handle for you.

That said, there are about as many "outsource-able" tasks as there are reasons to outsource. Below, we’ve broken down 10 categories of running a business that can benefit from a transition to a virtual office. A VA in any of these fields can act as your point of contact for these areas and can even combine tasks (i.e. HR and admin) for added versatility.

• Admin – Whether you need someone to tackle email correspondence, enter data, create business documents and memos, or book your travel arrangements and manage your calendar, a virtual administrative assistant can be a saving grace for your company…and your time!
• Marketing – There are many aspects to marketing, from research and campaign management to social media and sales, so finding a VA who specializes in marketing can save the headache of training someone on the processes your company uses to build its brand.
• HR – Believe it or not, Human Resources has many uses in a virtual office, particularly if you have many VAs working in different areas of your business. An HR assistant can help with recruiting and hiring other VAs, create training or other company manuals, set up compensation plans and even manage your online team!
• Research – This is an area that’s easily combined with other fields, such as writing, marketing or admin, but finding someone with a background in research means you have access to a one-stop source for all your research needs. In addition to knowing where to go (quickly) for relevant information, a research assistant can act as back-up for other VAs. For example, they can conduct the market research for your marketing VA or find information your writer can use.
• IT – Many business owners, even those operating solely online, often resent the time spent in technical tasks. Why not delegate that work to a specialist? IT assistants can handle your tech support, software maintenance, web development and security monitoring duties, effectively taking it off your hands.
• Accounting/Bookkeeping – Maintaining financial records, processing payroll and keeping on top of your tax forms is another time-consumer. It’s also an area that can be easily outsourced. The biggest consideration here is your comfort level with giving somebody you don’t personally know access to sensitive records, in addition to discerning their skill level. This is where it’s especially important to have trust in the outsourcing services you choose, ensuring a successful track record for trustworthiness and accurate record-keeping.
• Call Center/Customer Service – Call centers are probably the most outsourced of tasks, whether for sales or customer service. Email is also on the rise as a way for customers to contact you for information, payments, complaints, etc. Both are excellent areas for a VA to field for you, so you can focus on the big picture.
• Legal/Paralegal – An overlooked area for outsourcing is legal help. These days, there are many attorneys who have been downsized by firms and looking to continue their practice online, as well as experienced paralegals looking to offer their skills as consultants or legal researchers. The online environment allows them to be competitive with their rates, which saves you some money on a necessary business function. With that, it’s worth considering a legal VA to ensure your contracts, licensing and other legal paperwork are in proper order and compliant with your local laws.
• Website and Graphic Design – This is a bit of an offshoot of IT, but with a separate focus. Web and graphic design requires an eye for the aesthetics and navigation of a site or image, as opposed to its offsite functionality. Of course, there’s a technical aspect to it but there’s also an art to knowing what will work for your business and, more importantly, the audience exposed to your content. If you’re not artistically or technically inclined, or simply need to spend your time running things, a design VA is a great investment!
• Writing – This is one of the easiest tasks to outsource. By its very nature, writing goes hand-in-hand with the Internet and there are talented writers in every corner of the globe. Some specialize in marketing copy and web content, others in transcription or press releases…still others generalize and will write anything you need. Many include SEO as part of their service, adding to their value proposition.

No matter what tasks you decide to outsource, it’s important to establish a relationship with your VA that’s built on trust and a mutual respect for one another’s skills. If you decide to work with an outsourcing solutions service, such as Red Apple, take the time to ensure a track record of established success in the areas you need help in, as well as with consistently delivering quality and value.

Here at Red Apple Virtual Assistant Services, we understand what goes into the decision to outsource and make it our mission to provide solutions that drive forward the success of your business. So, tell us, what can we take off your hands today?

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Internet marketing isn’t rocket science but it does require a balance of technical know-how, customer psychology and finesse. Putting together a solid plan of action gives you the right start, providing the structure you need to build your marketing