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How I Can Magically Give You Back 5+ Hours a Week
How I Can Magically Give You Back 5+ Hours a Week
Breon Bradley 06-13-2024 3 Min Read
Did you know the average person receives anywhere from 100 to 120 emails each day? This number can vary depending on your job and personal life, but on average, U.S. adults handle this volume of emails daily. Even more surprising is that the average person spends about two and a half to three hours each day reading and processing these emails. This includes deciding whether to respond, delegate, delete, or work on the tasks mentioned in those emails.
This daily email management translates to 12.5 hours a week dedicated solely to handling emails. Imagine spending nearly half a workweek just staring at your inbox, trying to manage information and decide on responses. That’s where a virtual assistant (VA) comes in.
How a Virtual Assistant Saves You Time
How a Virtual Assistant Saves You Time
Email Management
Email Management
A virtual assistant can manage your email inbox, sorting through emails and prioritizing which ones need responses, which can be ignored, and which can be delegated. This alone can save you around 12.5 hours a week, effectively giving you back that time for more productive activities.
If we conservatively cut that number in half, considering only work-related emails, that's 6.25 hours of productivity gained at work and 6.25 hours of freedom gained at home. With this extra time at work, you could start new projects, complete lingering tasks, expand your services, or refine your processes. At home, you could spend more time with family, focus on personal growth projects, or simply relax.
Tasks a Virtual Assistant Can Handle
Tasks a Virtual Assistant Can Handle
Day-to-Day Administrative Tasks
Virtual assistants are essentially administrative assistants who work remotely. They handle the routine tasks that every business has, such as:
Scheduling and Calendar Management: Organizing meetings, appointments, and ensuring you stay on track.
Data Entry and Record Keeping: Maintaining databases and records, ensuring everything is up to date.
Travel Arrangements: Booking flights, hotels, and organizing itineraries.
Document Management: Organizing and managing digital documents to keep your files in order.
Customer Inquiries and Follow-Ups: Handling routine customer service inquiries, freeing you from answering common questions.
Specific Examples
Specific Examples
Inventory Management
Inventory Management
If you run a restaurant, a VA can handle inventory, allowing you to focus on cooking
Basic Bookkeeping
Basic Bookkeeping
If you own a clothing store, a VA can manage invoices and tracking expenses freeing up time for you to make other clothing designs.
How to Start Hiring a Virtual Assistant
How to Start Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Document Your Tasks: Begin by noting down all the tasks you do daily. Do this for a few days or a week. Include how long each task takes.
Identify Time Wasters: Circle tasks that take up too much time or that you don't enjoy.
Research Virtual Assistants: Look for VAs that meet the criteria for the tasks you want to delegate.
Where to Find a Virtual Assistant
Where to Find a Virtual Assistant
You can find virtual assistants both locally and internationally. While hiring overseas VAs might seem cost-effective, it can lead to issues such as language barriers, time zone differences, and misunderstandings. It's often better to hire a VA in your time zone or even locally. You might be surprised at how many capable friends or acquaintances could step into this role.
Understanding the Role of a Virtual Assistant
Understanding the Role of a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant focuses on administrative tasks. They are NOT:
Salespeople
Salespeople
For sales tasks, hire a salesperson or sales associate.
Graphic Designers
Graphic Designers
For visual tasks, hire a professional graphic designer
Social Media Managers
Social Media Managers
For social media tasks, hire a social media manager.
Costs Associated with Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Costs Associated with Hiring a Virtual Assistant
The cost of hiring a VA can vary widely depending on their location and expertise. Generally, a more specialized VA or one located within your country will charge more than an overseas VA. However, the quality, communication, and reliability you get from a more specialized VA often outweigh the cost savings of hiring someone less experienced.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
By hiring a virtual assistant to handle your administrative tasks, you can reclaim significant time each week. This extra time can be used to focus on growing your business, spending time with family, or pursuing personal interests. A VA can streamline your work processes, making your business more efficient and your life more balanced.
If you’re overwhelmed by administrative tasks and looking to gain back precious hours in your week, consider hiring a virtual assistant. With the right VA, you can transform how you manage your workload and improve your overall productivity and quality of life.
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