virtual assistant

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October 7, 2024

How Legit Are Virtual Assistant Jobs?

You may have heard a lot lately about virtual assistant jobs or VAs. These positions claim you can work from home, often on your own, flexible schedule. Sounds like a dream! But how legit are these roles?

What Does a VA Do?

Virtual assistants perform a wide range of tasks to support businesses and entrepreneurs from remote locations. These duties often include administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing emails, and organizing files. Additionally, VAs can take on specialized services like social media management, content creation, and customer support — that is why so many people are becoming VAs! You can specialize in what you love to do be it social media management or schedule management. Whether you have a background in healthcare, marketing, finance, or technology, you can find VA positions that align with your expertise.

Why Virtual Assistant Jobs are a Legitimate Option

You are probably familiar with the old saying, “if something is often too good to be true, then it is!” While this might apply in some situations, it does not apply to working as a VA; virtual assistant jobs are legitimate, especially when you go through our HireMyMom site. We vet every company that we partner with so that you can feel safe and secure knowing these are real businesses in search of real employees. So, if you’re looking for a job with a flexible schedule, that allows you to work remotely, and lets you use your talents and passions, you should become a VA!

Benefits of Becoming a Virtual Assistant

VAs enjoy significant flexibility, allowing them to design their work schedules around personal commitments and preferences. This adaptability makes it easier to achieve a balanced lifestyle, promoting well-being and job satisfaction. Many virtual assistants work as contractors, so your schedule and how much work you take on is completely up to you! Additionally, the variety of tasks VAs can undertake means there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. Whether it’s managing social media accounts or providing customer support, this diversity keeps the work engaging and helps you build a robust skill set.

Financially, working from home reduces expenses associated with commuting, office attire, and daily meals, enabling you to save more — which is a huge benefit for both companies and employees. Lastly, the remote nature of VA work opens up global opportunities, allowing you to work with clients from different parts of the world. This not only broadens your professional network but also provides insights into various industries and cultures, enriching your professional experience. This also means you can work from anywhere! This is perfect for those who are wanting to travel and work on their own schedule or stay at home parents looking to work while maximizing the time they spend with their kiddos!

How to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant

To get started, compile your application materials. Put together a resume that is a brief history of your skills and experience. Then, write a cover letter that tells your story and how you plan to help companies grow if they work with you as a VA. Next step is to find jobs on our website, and then start applying! If you need some help with your application materials or want to practice your interview skills, check out our job seeker resources.

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January 9, 2024

Managing Remote Virtual Assistants for Small Businesses

A remote virtual assistant is a valuable asset to small businesses, providing support and assistance. However, managing remote virtual assistants comes with its own set of challenges. Traditionally, everyone would be in an office with easy access to one another to ask questions as well as to keep everyone accountable on tasks. However, this looks a little different in our virtual world:

Understanding the Role of a Remote Virtual Assistant

Remote virtual assistant roles are diverse, encompassing administrative duties such as managing emails and scheduling appointments, to more specialized tasks including social media strategy, content creation, and data management. The versatility of a remote virtual assistant means that they can adapt to the specific needs of a business, making them a highly flexible asset.

For small business owners to maximize the benefits of working with a remote virtual assistant, it is crucial to identify the areas of their operation that require the most support. This could involve routine tasks that consume a disproportionate amount of time or specialized projects that require specific expertise not available in-house. For example, you might find yourself spending a lot of time scheduling meetings with clients — a virtual assistant can help with this! On the more specialized side of things, you might need a VA that can respond to customer inquiries about product specifications.

Establishing a detailed job description is a key step in this process. It should not only outline the tasks and responsibilities but also highlight the skills and experience required to perform the role successfully. This clarity helps in selecting a remote virtual assistant whose capabilities align with the business’s needs, fostering a productive and mutually beneficial working relationship.

Setting Clear Expectations and Communication Guidelines

From the outset, define the work parameters: specify the tasks, deadlines, and the frequency of updates required. Detailing these aspects will prevent misunderstandings and ensure that your assistant has a precise understanding of what is expected from them.

Decide on a communication rhythm that works best for your business and your assistant. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, these regular check-ins will serve as touchpoints for both parties to discuss progress, address any hurdles, and adjust priorities as needed. The chosen communication tools — be it email, messaging apps, or video calls — should facilitate easy and open dialogue.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to agree upon the work hours that align with your business needs while considering the time zone differences. This clarity not only aids in setting realistic deadlines but also ensures that there are designated times when immediate feedback or urgent discussions can take place.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Managing Remote Virtual Assistants

Navigating the obstacles of remote collaboration with virtual assistants requires a strategic approach to maintain a healthy, productive work environment. Addressing miscommunication is crucial; implementing a standard operating procedure for how tasks are conveyed and feedback is given can mitigate misunderstandings. Creating a structured yet flexible accountability system where achievements and progress are regularly reviewed also enhances motivation and productivity.

To combat the sense of isolation that remote assistants might feel, integrating virtual social interactions and team-building activities can foster a sense of belonging and improve morale. Encouraging a work culture where remote virtual assistants feel valued and part of the team not only strengthens their loyalty but also bolsters their commitment to the business’s success. Adopting these strategies allows small businesses to effectively manage the challenges that come with remote virtual assistants, ensuring a cohesive and efficient team dynamic.

Have you worked with a VA before? Share your experiences with us!

Written by HMMCustomer Care

October 23, 2023

Why Moms Rule the Virtual Assistant Game

Moms are marvels at prioritizing and focusing on the important things! From running the household to working a full-time job, they’re the ultimate busy bees. But did you know that moms also make great virtual assistants? It’s true — their unique set of skills makes them the perfect fit for this type of work because…

Moms Know How to Prioritize

Whether it’s managing the household, handling work tasks, or taking care of the kids, moms have a knack for prioritizing what needs to be done first. Their skill in prioritizing ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and that everything gets done efficiently and effectively.

They’re Masters of Taking on Tasks

From managing calendars and scheduling appointments to handling various projects and assignments, moms can seamlessly juggle it all. Their skills ensure that no task is left unfinished and that deadlines are always met; by knowing what to prioritize, they will ensure that everything is done on time.

Familiar with a Variety of Tasks

Moms are no strangers to tackling a variety of tasks. From managing household chores and organizing schedules to handling work projects and juggling kids’ activities, moms have experience in a wide range of tasks.

Time Management is Second Nature

Moms are pros at squeezing the most out of every minute and keeping things on schedule. They’re able to prioritize tasks, allocate time slots for each one, and stay focused to ensure everything gets done.

Patience is a Virtue

Moms have the patience of saints, and it’s a quality that makes them incredible virtual assistants. Whether it’s dealing with demanding clients, troubleshooting technical issues, or calmly navigating challenging situations, moms have the ability to remain patient and composed.

They Have Strong Communication Skills

Whether it’s coordinating with clients, collaborating with team members, or delivering clear instructions, moms excel in communication. Moms know how to listen actively and respond effectively, making them excellent communicators in the virtual assistant role.

Detail-Oriented and Organized

Moms have a keen eye for spotting errors, ensuring that every task is completed with precision and accuracy. From organizing schedules and managing files to keeping track of important details, moms excel at creating order out of chaos.

Natural Problem Solvers

Moms have an uncanny ability to think on their feet and come up with solutions to any problem that comes their way. Whether it’s finding creative ways to entertain the kids or figuring out how to fix a broken toy, moms have a natural knack for problem-solving.

Can Adapt Quickly to Changes

Moms have a knack for quickly assessing new situations and finding solutions on the fly. Their ability to adapt quickly ensures that they can navigate any changes with ease, making them reliable and indispensable members of any team.

Dependable and Reliable Team Players

When you have a mom as your virtual assistant, you can trust that they will always show up and give their best effort because they understand the importance of being reliable and meeting deadlines. With their strong work ethic and commitment to excellence, moms make the perfect team players who can be counted on to get the job done.

Those are just a few of our favorite reasons that moms make the best virtual assistants! What’s your favorite reason — let us know!

Written by HMMCustomer Care

July 10, 2023

How an Online Business Manager Can Streamline Your Business

Running a successful online business requires wearing many hats. As a business owner, you may be handling everything from marketing to bookkeeping and client management. However, taking on too much can lead to burnout and inefficiency. This is where an Online Business Manager (OBM) comes in. An OBM can help organize and streamline your business operations, allowing you to focus on what you do best – growing your business.

What is an Online Business Manager?

An Online Business Manager (OBM) is a virtual professional who can help business owners streamline their operations, increase their revenue, and reduce their workload. They are experienced managers who work remotely and take charge of the day-to-day management of an online business. An OBM is different from a Virtual Assistant (VA) in that they are more of a strategic partner and oversee the bigger picture. While VAs are typically responsible for administrative tasks such as scheduling, email management, and customer support, OBMs take on a more extensive role. An OBM will analyze and identify the areas of the business that need improvement, create systems and processes that improve efficiency and productivity, manage and supervise staff, and keep the business running smoothly. OBMs are versatile professionals who can adapt to different industries and help businesses of various sizes and structures.

The Benefits of Hiring an Online Business Manager

Managing a business can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it all by yourself. However, with the help of an Online Business Manager (OBM), you can streamline your operations and focus on the aspects of your business that require your expertise. Here are some benefits of hiring an OBM:

Better management and use of your time
Improved organization of your business
Expertise in multiple areas – including areas you may not be strong in
Increased efficiency for your business and team
Strategic planning for your business

How to Hire an Online Business Manager

Now that you understand the benefits of hiring an Online Business Manager, it’s important to know how to go about finding the right person for the job. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you hire the right Online Business Manager for your business.

Define your business needs: Do you need help with operations, finances, organization, team management, marketing or all of the above?
Look for experience and expertise: Look for someone with experience and expertise in the areas you need help with. For example, if you need help with operations, look for someone who has a background in operations or management and can show you results from their previous work.
Interview candidates: Ask about their approach to managing projects and how they would handle different scenarios that might come up in your business. If this is your first time hiring an OBM, we offer Concierge Services for companies where our HR experts complete the hiring process for you, both to save you time and hire someone they know will be great for the job.
Check references: Talk to their previous clients to get a sense of their experience working with the Online Business Manager and how effective they were in achieving their business goals.
Negotiate the contract: Once you’ve found the right Online Business Manager for your business, negotiate the terms of the contract, including payment, the scope of work, and the length of the engagement. Be clear about your expectations and what you hope to achieve through working with them.

Tips for Successfully Working with an Online Business Manager

Be upfront and specific about what you need from your online business manager. This includes timelines, tasks, and deadlines. If there are any special requirements or preferences, make sure to communicate them early on. Next, determine your availability and preferred communication methods. If you prefer email or regular check-ins, make that clear from the start. Make sure to establish trust with your online business manager by communicating openly and honestly. Provide regular feedback, give clear direction, and trust them to handle their responsibilities.

Be sure to keep your OBM informed of any changes in your business. Most important of all, take the time to celebrate the milestones that your online business manager helps you achieve. Recognize their contributions and show your appreciation for their hard work.

Hiring an OBM can be one of the best decisions you make for your business. They can take care of day-to-day operations, leaving you free to focus on what you do best. By following these tips, you can successfully work with your online business manager to streamline your business and achieve your goals.

Do you have more questions about an OBM? Reach out, and we can share those with our audience because chances are, someone else has the same questions!

Written by HMMCustomer Care

July 3, 2023

Get Hired: Mastering the Art of Writing a Virtual Assistant Cover Letter

If you’re looking for a job as a Virtual Assistant, the cover letter you write can make or break your application. Crafting an effective cover letter that conveys your experience and skills while demonstrating your enthusiasm and commitment to the position is essential in standing out from other candidates. Explore the key components of a successful Virtual Assistant cover letter and provide tips on how to make yours stand out below:

Outline Your Skills and Experience

As a mom looking to enter the virtual assistant job market, you already have an abundance of skills that will be highly valued by potential employers. Here are a few key skills and experiences you should highlight in your cover letter:

Time Management: As a mom, you’ve likely honed your ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. Employers will be impressed by your ability to efficiently manage your time and prioritize tasks.
Organizational Skills: Being organized is crucial for any virtual assistant role. Make sure to highlight your skills in maintaining schedules, tracking important dates, and managing digital files.
Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential when working remotely. Emphasize your excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as your experience in collaborating with others.
Technical Savvy: With technology at the forefront of the virtual assistant world, make sure to showcase your proficiency with various software programs and tools. Be specific in your cover letter about the types of software you’ve used in the past.
Flexibility: Employers need someone who is adaptable and willing to take on new tasks as needed. Share examples of how you’ve been able to pivot and adjust to new situations in the past.

By highlighting these skills and experiences in your cover letter, you’ll show potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed as a virtual assistant. Just remember, while you have lots of skills to share, keep it short so that hiring managers can easily read your cover letter quickly.

Use Keywords from the Job Posting

To truly stand out among other applicants, it’s important to use keywords from the job posting in your virtual assistant cover letter. This means analyzing the job description and taking note of the key skills and responsibilities listed. Including these keywords shows that you have carefully read the job posting and understand the requirements of the position. Additionally, many employers use automated systems to sort through resumes and cover letters, and using the right keywords can increase your chances of being seen by a hiring manager.

For example, if the job posting emphasizes proficiency in Microsoft Office, make sure to mention your experience with Excel and Word in your cover letter. If the job requires scheduling and organization skills, mention specific tools or software you’ve used in the past to manage tasks and appointments. However, don’t just throw in random keywords for the sake of it. Make sure they are relevant to your skills and experience, and use them in a natural, contextual way. Finding online cover letter templates can help show you how to do this.

Explain What You Can Do for the Company

Now that you’ve outlined your skills and experience and used relevant keywords from the job posting, it’s time to explain what you can do for the company. This is the heart of your cover letter – you need to convince the employer that you’re the perfect fit for the position.

Start by researching the company and understanding what they do. Then, explain how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate to help them achieve their goals. For example, if the company is looking for a virtual assistant to help with social media management, you could say:

“I am confident that my skills in social media marketing, content creation, and scheduling would make me an asset to your team. With my experience working for a variety of clients in different industries, I am comfortable with creating engaging and effective content across multiple platforms. Additionally, I am skilled in using scheduling tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer to ensure that posts are published at optimal times for maximum reach. I am excited at the opportunity to help your company grow and reach new audiences through social media.”

Notice how this paragraph not only highlights the applicant’s skills and experience, but also connects them directly to the needs of the company. By explaining how they can help the company achieve its goals, the applicant is demonstrating their value as an employee and making a compelling case for why they should be hired. You can also take this a step further and include a tip or two on how you would change their current practices to make their company better.

Close with a Call to Action

After explaining what you can bring to the table and highlighting your skills and experience, it’s important to end your cover letter with a call to action. This shows the employer that you’re confident in your abilities and are excited about the possibility of working with them. A call to action is a statement that invites the reader to take a specific action. In this case, you want the employer to invite you for an interview or to contact you with any further questions they may have. Here are some examples of strong calls to action for a cover letter:

I look forward to hearing from you to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your company. Thank you for your consideration.
If you’re interested in learning more about my qualifications, I’d love to speak with you in more detail. Please feel free to contact me at [insert your contact information].
Thank you for considering my application. I believe that I could be an asset to your team and would love the opportunity to discuss this further in an interview. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Remember, a call to action is a chance for you to leave a lasting impression on the employer. Be confident, courteous, and professional, and you’re sure to catch their attention.

Remember, the cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression and stand out from other applicants. So take the time to craft a well-written and personalized cover letter, and you may just land your dream virtual assistant position. Good luck!

If you need help writing a cover letter or would like a professional to review your current cover letter, check out our Cover Letter Services!

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July 4, 2022

10 Services You Can Offer As A Virtual Assistant

If you’re looking to become a virtual assistant, or if you’re just wondering what services you can offer companies, this list will help you out. A virtual assistant is an employee who works remotely and provides administrative, creative, and other types of support to clients on an as-needed basis. Being a virtual assistant lets you work from home, on your own schedule, but it does require considerable organization and self-motivation. Keep reading to learn what skills make a good virtual assistant and what services you can offer companies as a result!

1) Customer Service/Support

Being a virtual assistant means that you are a vital part of any business! Whether it’s answering customer questions, setting up meetings, or making travel arrangements for your team, a VA’s customer service can either make or break a business. Being great at customer service is an essential part of being a successful VA, and you can put that to work for other companies by specifically handling customer inquiries.

2) Bookkeeping

One of the first things you can offer as a virtual assistant is bookkeeping services. This will allow businesses to outsource bookkeeping to you and save time and money. If your clients are small businesses, it’s likely they don’t have much of a budget for hiring a full-time employee to handle their books.

3) Website Work

Any business will likely have a website, and most websites need some sort of maintenance or improvement every now and then. If you’re comfortable with HTML and other web-building tools, you can offer your services to help fix up a site.

4) Writing & Proofreading

If you’re a writer, someone in your circle of friends is bound to ask you for a writing or proofreading job at some point. In fact, according to recent stats, employment of writers is going to grow by 9% over the next few years! That’s because everyone needs something written at some point — anything from a blog to an annual report. If you’re good with words and already have an idea of what’s involved in being a writer, then working as a virtual assistant will be a breeze!

5) Administrative Support

Administrators are in high demand. Most important for this type of VA is your ability to multitask and use your problem-solving skills to solve any problem that comes your way. As an admin support VA, you will schedule meetings, coordinate schedules, and more.

6) Digital Marketing

Marketers are turning to virtual assistants for tasks ranging from running pay-per-click campaigns and managing social media accounts to creating sales copy and performing keyword research. If you have experience with SEO, PPC advertising, content marketing, or anything else digital marketers do, you can offer your services as a VA to local businesses or online companies. If you’re already working as a VA, why not add digital marketing to your skill set? The more services you offer clients, the higher your hourly rate will be — and you might even be able to charge by project instead of per hour if you offer enough value.

7) Event Planning

If you have an eye for detail and are willing to work with a flexible schedule, event planning might be a great service option for clients looking for help with conferences, trade shows, or even weddings.

8) Advertising

If you have experience in social media, search engine optimization, or email marketing, then it might be a good idea to offer ad-related services as a virtual assistant. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn all frequently hire freelancers to help them advertise their platform by posting updates, writing descriptions for ads and banner ads that appear on their social media pages, and writing copy for email campaigns. Virtual assistants are also often hired to help with SEM (search engine marketing) and SEO (search engine optimization) campaigns.

9) Market Research

When you’re a virtual assistant, your research could range from market research to competitor analysis, to social media and digital marketing analytics. You may conduct site audits or content audits for clients as part of your research. There are a number of tools available for conducting market research online, such as Google Analytics and Kissmetrics, that can help you with various aspects of doing market research as a VA.

10) Fundraising & Donation Management

Fundraising is an ongoing necessity for non-profit organizations. Being able to track donations, process receipts, and generate donor acknowledgements is key to any fundraising campaign’s success. Because of its importance in non-profit fundraising, using a virtual assistant who can take care of these processes effectively and efficiently will help an organization’s bottom line.

These, of course, are just a few of the services you can offer as a virtual assistant, and with lots of tools out there, you can offer more services than those listed here! Is there a service you offer that you want to share with the HireMyMom community? Reach out and tell us about it!

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December 13, 2021

Ready to Change Your Work Life? Check out These Top Secret Job Trends

If you’ve turned on the television, listened to the radio, or opened a newspaper lately, you’ve likely heard about the labor shortage in the United States. Even if you’ve managed to escape the news in the media, you’ve probably seen help wanted signs hanging from virtually every shop, restaurant, and service provider in town.

What’s more, remote teams and work-from-home jobs have never been more popular with employers or employees. When the pandemic sent workers home, many employers were forced to rethink operations and have turned to home-based staff to get work done. And, many people–especially moms–found that working from home improved the quality of their family life and they want to stick with it.

The confluence of these trends means it’s a great time to find a work-from-home job. While a tight labor market can be challenging for employers, it offers an opportunity for job seekers.

HireMyMom has been helping match small businesses with professional women who want to work from home for decades. Through our concierge service, we also help employers find the right candidate quickly. All of this hiring action gives us a good look at trends.

Bottom line: It’s a great time to be looking for a new job. We see hourly rates creeping up and an increasing number of job posts as people leave their current jobs and look for better ones that offer more pay, greater flexibility, and the freedom to work at home. And, employers are moving quickly to snap up talent before candidates move on to other possibilities.

We talked with the HireMyMom concierge team members to find out what types of jobs are hot right now and what those employers are looking for in candidates. Consider this blog your secret job-hunting weapon as we head into 2022.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistant or VA jobs are perpetually popular, but we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in postings for these roles lately. As businesses grow, many entrepreneurs are eager to find support for administrative tasks.

VA’s take care of many tasks, including email response, appointment setting, travel planning, and calendar management. It’s a great business model because it solves a problem so many business owners have–squeezing more tasks into a day. Small business owners looking for on-demand support or help with administrative tasks find VA’s indispensable.

It’s also an excellent lifestyle for moms who want to control their own time, skip the commute, and put family first while still keeping professional ambitions alive. For many moms, launching a business that provides economic security and flexibility is a top 2022 priority.

VAs can work for more than one client on a part-time basis or for a single client. Some are employees, but it’s more common for a VA to work as a contractor.

If you are interested in launching your own business, consider starting a VA service. There are some great opportunities for free training for aspiring VA’s who want to begin the journey. If you’re interested in exploring this career path with additional training, we’ve rounded up the best VA training options so you can find the one that works best for you.

Bookkeepers and Accountants

We are seeing an increasing number of posts for bookkeeping and accountant roles. These jobs are quickly moving to work-from-home positions.

These jobs generally require a degree of expertise and training is available to help you learn more and decide if this is the right career path for you, even if you don’t have experience in the field.

Check out this YouTube video of our founder, Lesley Pyle, and founder of Stay at Home Bookkeeper, Tiffany Higgins, talking about getting started with a bookkeeping business.

Online Business Manager

We are seeing strong and growing demand for Online Business Managers (OBMs). An OBM takes over the daily operations of a business, freeing the founder and other executives to concentrate on growing the business and pursuing new ventures. The OBM steps in as the Chief Operating Officer for the company, managing day-to-day tasks across a broad spectrum of functions.

At the most basic level, OBMs lead a team. They understand the company’s objectives for the business and are focused on leading all elements of the team to understand that vision. Many businesses use OBM’s, including those that operate online and those with more traditional operations. OBM’s have a skill set that can be used to help run any type of business.

OBM’s often have administrative backgrounds or experience in logistics. We see many work-from-home moms start as VA’s and grow their businesses to serve as OBM’s by adding additional services.

Here’s a closer look at what OBM’s do and why growing small businesses love them.

Social Media Manager/Specialist

Using social media to promote their business and specific offerings is a crucial strategy for many small businesses. But, managing social media accounts and conducting promotions require time and expertise, which are often outside of the business owner’s area of expertise. Because social media is a powerful and ubiquitous force that changes frequently, many small business owners are hiring social media managers to increase the quality and effectiveness of their social media efforts.

Social media managers work with clients to develop a social media strategy, set short- and long-term goals, select the right platforms based on those goals, offer promotional ideas, create social media content and assess results.

We are seeing robust demand for people with Google Ads expertise as company’s work to make their posts stand out in a crowded marketplace. Social media managers with solid Search Engine Optimization (SEO) experience are also in high demand.

To learn more, link to the Complete Digital Marketing Course.

What Are You Seeing?

Drop us a line and tell us about the jobs you think will be hot next year.

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November 8, 2021

How to Be Brave, Get Support and Level Up for Unbelievable Success

Congratulations–you are living the work-from-home life and thriving.

You know how to hack your day for maximum productivity, what pitfalls to avoid, how to get back on track when your motivation wanes. You outsource tasks, set boundaries, stay connected, use the right apps, work smart in the kitchen to save time, and manage through periods without childcare.

But, something’s not quite right. Maybe you aren’t finding the same level of fulfillment in your work compared to when you first started. Perhaps your children are getting older, and you are ready for meatier professional assignments. Or, maybe you aren’t sure what you need or want, but you know that the current situation is not quite working for you.

It may be time to call in a coach to help you level up for the next chapter of your life. Leveling up is different than a job change. It’s an opportunity to assess where you are, consider the future, set goals, create a plan, and tackle the opportunities you identify.

Here’s our best advice for knowing when it’s time to level up and how a coach can help you make your dreams a reality.

You Are Not Alone

The media regularly shares stories about the “great resignation” that’s underway this year. Many people are rethinking their professional lives as the pandemic starts to abate. Clearly, you are not alone if you feel the desire for something new. It’s normal and healthy to want more–even if you aren’t sure what exactly that “more” is right now.

Bottom line, if you feel a longing for something new, we suggest embracing the feeling and exploring where it leads you. You don’t have to walk this path alone because millions of people–many of them moms–are walking right along with you.

A coach can help you find the path that works for you and connect you with like-minded, work-at-home moms who can help make reaching your destination an actual labor of love and shared experience.

Be Brave

Maybe you know it’s time for a change but feel trepidation at the prospect of shaking things up. We get it. It can be scary to think about moving on to a different job, launching a business, or changing career paths. We find this is especially true for moms who work at home and want to keep it that way. So much emphasis is placed on finding a work-from-home job and making it work that it can be easy to get fixated on the job you have and lose sight of what you really want.

Feeding the professional side of your life is essential. As life changes and you change, your professional ambitions may change as well. That’s a normal and expected development, and there’s no need to feel bad about the desire.

If You Aren’t Sure

Sometimes you know it’s time to make a change. But, often, the desire to change is more subtle, and it takes a while to recognize. So, even if you aren’t actively thinking about a new job or making a professional change, watch for these clues that it may be time to move on:

You find yourself coasting at work. If you feel like you can do your job with your eyes closed or your workday feels mindless, a new challenge may help restore your interest.
Co-workers often come to you for advice on how to do the job. This is a sign that you are broadly perceived as an expert at the job and maybe a hint that you are ready for new challenges.
You are easily frustrated or find yourself complaining about your work. Often, frustration or venting are signs that it’s time to look deeper and determine if these are temporary frustrations or symptoms of a more significant problem.

If you recognize yourself here, that’s likely a sign that it’s time to do some work to explore essential questions related to work and life.

Now What

Moving on just for the sake of moving on is often counterproductive. If you jump to the next job or opportunity that comes along, you could end up feeling dissatisfied again in short order.

We find that a better approach is to take the time to answer some big questions to make sure you land in the right place and feel confident in your path going forward. Consider:

What does success mean to you in the next season of life?
How does that definition translate to goals?
How will you get there?
How will you develop a plan?
Who will hold you accountable for achieving your goals?
How will you find the support you need to make the changes to help you achieve your goals?

Answering these questions can help you move from where you are today to where you want to be in the future. Putting work in now pays dividends later.

But, these are BIG questions, and it’s often difficult to know how to answer them. That’s where a coach or group program can really make the difference.

Consider Coaching

Finding meaningful success without sacrificing family time is a team sport, and a coach can help you move to the next level of play. As a work-at-home mom who deeply values family time, finding the right coach is essential.

We all need support in business and life. It’s easy to feel stuck or overwhelmed–especially as you raise a family and navigate career space. An experienced, independent, outside voice can help provide feedback on what’s not working and give you the clarity you need on the best way to use your time and energy.

A coach can help you define what success means for you, guide you as you start or grow a remote career or business, and help you smash through roadblocks or fears that hold you back. If you know you want to make a change but aren’t sure what you want to do, the proper support can help.

HireMy Mom’s Mastermind & Coaching programs can help bring out the best in your business and in your life. It’s specifically tailored for moms who want to work and home and find professional success without sacrificing family time.

We currently offer two options:

Elevate YOU: Mastermind & Coaching for Women can help you gain the clarity and focus you need to pursue your dreams while connecting you with a community of like-minded moms. Through the program, you’ll find the path for meaningful growth and success based on what matters to you. You’ll create deep and authentic relationships with women on the same path and benefit from coaching from our founder and HireMyMom CEO, Lesley Pyle.
One-on-One Coaching with Lesley Pyle can help you move ahead in life and business. Research shows that working with a coach is the most effective and efficient way to experience the breakthrough you need to grow personally and professionally. You can benefit from Lesley’s 25 years as an entrepreneur and her insights into balancing work and family from a wife and mother who’s been down the road you are traveling.
Coming soon! Small Business Owners Mastermind, which is designed to support entrepreneurs as they grow their business. The group will start in 2022, but you can sign up for the waitlist now.

Join us!
This is the time to invest in yourself, your future, and your family. You won’t regret it. Your goals await.

Written by Lesley Pyle

April 26, 2021

What is a Virtual Assistant? And Why Smart Business Owners Use Them

Imagine a world where you focus on growing your business, and all your administrative, technical, and customer service tasks are cared for by capable and dedicated hands. If this scenario sounds like an unachievable nirvana, you’ve likely never heard of a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants (VA) can save the day–and your sanity. Knowing how to find and use VAs can change your life as an entrepreneur and help you take your business to the next level.

Why Use a VA

As you start and grow your business, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing it all. You manage your calendar, pitch products, book travel, invoice clients, monitor your social media–all of it. But that’s neither sustainable nor advisable. First of all, you can’t be an expert in everything. Even if you are an expert in things as varied as social media, accounting, and marketing, managing it all is too much for one person who is focused on launching and growing a business.

Recognizing that you need help and finding it is not a failure. Rather, it’s a way to set yourself up for success. Recognizing the need to outsource tasks, such as those that are administrative, technical, or generally outside your wheelhouse, is a sign of growth and commitment to your business. By outsourcing tasks that distract you from the core work of growing your business, you are showing your commitment to success in the areas that matter by focusing on what’s important and the things that make your business great.

More about VAs

VA’s are a real game-changer for many entrepreneurs because they can save you so much time and hassle as you scale your business. Often, VA’s have their own computers and other office resources. Some VA’s work for more than one client on a part-time basis and others work for a single client.

And, they commonly participate in support networks to continue learning and growing. Many have extensive contacts within the VA world if you find you need additional or focused support.

There are two main types of VA’s. General VA’s can help in a wide variety of areas and those with a specialty within an industry or specific tasks.

General VAs

A general VA is often a jack-of-all-trades who can help you with various tasks across categories. Think of this person as your day-to-day go-to resource to get things done.

If you think of a traditional office, the general VA is like an executive assistant. The person who functions as the nerve center of the office, keeping people and projects on track. They can offer on-demand support, just how and when you need it. For example, general virtual assistants often perform:

Administrative tasks, including:
- Managing your email and calendar
- Arranging travel
- Performing receptionist duties (including answers calls, which are easily transferred to any phone in the world)
- Managing files (including creating a file management system)
- Taking minutes in meetings
- Planning events
- Issuing invitations
- Entering data
- Creating reports and slideshows for presentations
- Running personal errands, such as online shopping for holiday and birthday gifts
- Answering support tickets
- Transcribing voicemails, podcasts, or video content
- Building databases
- Maintaining mailing lists
- Booking appointments
- Entering CRM updates
- Creating and managing spreadsheets
- Updating web site pages
- Creating PDFs, forms, and templates
- Conducting basic research
- Recruiting other resources, as needed
- Serving as a liaison between you and other team members

Technology services, including:
- Training team members to use new and existing software
- Managing software

Customer Service tasks, including
- Responding to customer emails and calls
- Sending routine messages, like birthday wishes and reminders
- Identifying trends from customer emails and calls and bringing them to your attention

Marketing and Social Media activities, including
- Setting up, managing, and updating social media accounts
- Creating large email lists
- Testing and sending email blasts
- Setting up Autoresponders
- Publishing blog posts, managing comments, and replying to comments

Basic Financial tasks, including:
- Bookkeeping
- Invoicing
- Entering receipts
- Managing accounts receivable

Speciality VAs

A specialized VA possesses specific skills and know-how in a distinct area or industry. A specialist VA is more of a resource for particular projects or elements of your business. If you think of a general VA as an executive assistant or office manager, the specialty VA is more like a department head–the person with deep knowledge about a specific function or area.

Some Specialty VAs often focus on an industry, like real estate. However, many have deep expertise in a specific area, such as:

Social media
Research
eCommerce
Marketing
Accounting/bookkeeping
Content creation and editing (written, audio, and video)
Graphics (Design and photography)
Project management services
Mobile app development

Specialized assistants can complete more complicated and in-depth tasks within the specialized area. For example, a general VA can post a Tweet or update Instagram. A specialist can help with more in-depth work, such as embedding SEO words into posts.

Sometimes a general VA and a specialist work together. For example, a specialized VA with a background in web development or graphic design can create new material that a general VA can update and tweak over time.

Can One VA Do it All?

No. As you can see from the lists above, one VA–even the best VA available–can’t do all of these things. So, the trick is knowing what you need in a VA, writing the job description that covers your needs, and finding the person–or people–that you need.

VAs are so flexible. It’s easy to staff up and down, based on your needs.

How to Get Started

VA’s can be remote employees or independent contractors who work from home. Both models work well depending on your needs.

The first step is to determine the work you want the VA to complete. This thinking creates a scope of work and helps clarify what you’d like to have completed, outlines the timeframe, and estimates the number of hours needed to complete the project.

Once you assess the scope of work, consider the type of VA you need, a contractor or an employee. If you have several needs, you may need a combination of resources to fill your needs.

For example, depending on your workload, you may want to bring a general VA on as an employee. You may also want to find a specialized VA to create your website and another specialized VA to build out your marketing plan. Because these are both shorter-term needs, a freelance resource may make more sense for those roles.

If you aren’t sure who qualifies as an employee and who qualifies as a contractor, here’s a handy rule of thumb:

You pay independent contractors for the result of their work. You don’t have control over how, when, or where they do the job.
You pay employees for the result of the work and the ability to control how the job is done.

Usually, independent contractors are in a different business than your own. For example, freelancers, like artists, editors, and writers, are often independent contractors. Independent contractors can also include outside companies doing work for you on an ongoing basis. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set guidelines for determining if someone is an employee or an independent contractor.

How to Find Your VA

With a good handle on what type of support you need, the next step is to create a job that highlights the skill set you need. Outline the tasks you want the VA to perform, detail the working conditions (onsite, virtual), and clarify your expectations for hours.

Expect to pay between $15 and $45 an hour, depending on the skills and experience you need to complete your tasks.

Then, post your job on HireMyMom and relax while resumes for good candidates arrive in your inbox. Once you’ve narrowed the field, set up interviews, choose a candidate, check references and make a job offer.

Why Use HireMy Mom

HireMyMom.com is a great place to find a VA that is right for all your needs for three reasons:

HireMyMom has exclusive partnerships with three top-rated VA training programs, creating a deep bench of talented professionals who visit the site looking for opportunities.
When you post your job, you’ll quickly have access to a wide array of qualified candidates who will be dedicated to helping your business succeed and grow. The site attracts job seekers from across the country with various specialized skill sets and a desire to work hard for you.
HireMyMom’s Concierge service can streamline the process for you. The service was created for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners, like you, who need to hire help but don’t have the time or desire to go through the time-consuming process. With our full-service Concierge service, our HR Specialists will do it all for you from start to finish and present you with the top candidate(s).

Written by Lesley Pyle

October 26, 2020

How to Select the Best Virtual Assistant Training Program for You

If you’re ready to work from home, start your own business, or launch a side hustle, consider becoming a virtual assistant (VA). As a VA, you take care of many tasks, including email response, appointment setting, travel planning, and calendar management. You can work as a general VA, who does a wide variety of tasks or become one with a specialty in a particular industry or need.

VA work is catching on quickly. This summer, Kevin O’Leary from the hit NBC show Shark Tank said that if he had to start a side hustle right now, he’d launch a VA business. He explains that it’s a great business model because it solves a problem so many people have–squeezing more tasks into a day. It’s also an excellent lifestyle for moms who want to control their own time, skip the commute, and put family first while still keeping professional ambitions alive.

Like many things in life, the first step is the most difficult. Luckily, training can help. The right training at the right time can make all the difference to your journey, so selecting the right system can help you get started in the right direction. At HireMyMom.com, we’ve rounded up the best training options to help you get started. You can find an overview of the options and a framework for picking the right program below.

Pick the Right Training

The four options we have partnered with include:

The Free Mama Movement
The Virtual Savvy
My VA School
Virtual Biz Partner Academy

All of these programs are excellent. You can’t go wrong. Each provides:

Entry-level classes that cover the basics to help you get started.
More extensive classes to help you scale your work as you are ready.

What to Consider as You Choose Training

Selecting the best training option will depend on many individual factors. Each training program and system offers a unique style, and a quick visit to each website will quickly introduce you to the feel of the product, so you can find the one that best meshes with your personality. Other differences include the timing, the extras, and the cost. An overview of each option appears below so you can contrast the possibilities and determine what’s right for you. As you review the round-up, consider your:

Goals
Availability
Budget
Preferred learning style

The Free Mama Movement

Developed by Lauren Golden, she hosts many of the programs available and shares her story.

Program options: This training program offers three options:

Free modules, which include a three-part introduction to working as a VA.
A 12-week virtual class that you can start anytime. Includes a wide variety of bonus materials.
Independent and add on classes, such as the Quick Start Program or the 90 Day Accelerator.

How it works: The virtual class is comprised of a program delivered in 12-minute video increments, five-days a week for 12 weeks. You can purchase a fast pass if you want immediate access to all content.

Price: Anywhere from less than $10 to about $1,997, based on the components you select. Payment plans are available.

Extras: Conferences and events, networking opportunities, podcasts, and a YouTube video series are all available. You can purchase a subscription to a coaching circle for additional support. A Facebook Community is available. You can sign up for access to “swag drops” and participate in the Matchmaker Directory Profile Service.

The Virtual Savvy

Developed by Abbey Ashley, she shares her story about how she got started in this YouTube interview and serves as the host of many programs.

Program options: This training program offers three options:

A free overview, which covers some basics along with free booklets and other materials.
Lifetime access to a self-paced training program, available beginning Jan. 22, 2021. (A waitlist is available.)
Supplemental classes, including a subscription to skills training options.

How it works: The self-paced class offers a step-by-step guide for setting up the business.

Price: Anywhere from about $100 to about $1,000, based on the components you select. Payment plans are available.

Extras: You can view a blog with resources to get started and free checklists and resources. A Facebook Community is available. Also, bonus materials are available at sign up. You can choose to be included in their VA database, access exclusive job opportunities, or view YourTube training sessions. Squarespace website training is available.

My VA School

Developed by April Herndon, she hosts many of the programs available and shares her story with us in this YouTube Interview.

Program options: This training program offers two options:

A 13-week virtual class, guided by April. (Use coupon code hiremymom20 for 20% off all courses! — Spring enrollment opens Feb. 1, 2021.)
Live and on-demand classes focused on skills training, including an e-mail-based VA training class. (Coupon code hiremymom20 for 20% off all courses)

How it works: The virtual class includes weekly Q&A calls and a private Facebook community to connect with April and other classmates. In addition, you’ll be paired with a buddy to help support you. A pre-course enables you to lay the foundation for taking the class. When the course concludes, you’ll have the option to be added to her Virtual Assistant Database to help pair you up with clients looking for a trained VA.

Price: Anywhere from less than $25 to about $2,500, based on the components you select. Payment plans are available.

Extras: A Facebook Community is available. April shares a blog, and you can purchase a private coaching call with April for specific questions, support, and brainstorming.

Virtual Biz Partner Academy

Developed by Sara Lingenfelter, she shares her story and her process with us in this YouTube interview.

Program options: This training program offers two options:

Virtual Assistant Training, including bi-weekly classes over six months.
The 31-Day VA Program, which is a self-paced option to help you get going quickly.

How it works: The virtual class uses a video format to share information. When you sign up, you also get access to a private Facebook community, materials, templates, and daily mini-projects with feedback from an instructor. Q&A calls are available, along with access to guest experts and a monthly “work with me” day that features Sara. When the course concludes, you will join her directory of assistants.

Price: The 31 Day VA Program costs $97, and the Virtual Assistant Training is $897. Payment plans are available.

Extras: A mentoring program is available. You can access Q &A calls, hear from guest experts, and attend a monthly “work with me” day that features Sara. Get three bonus pieces when you join, including group mentoring, a workbook, and a mini-course.

So there are four wonderful VA Training options. Now you just have to decide which one best suits your needs! Let us know what you decide! We’d love to hear from you!

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