There are, quite literally, hundred’s of tasks that you can give to a VA to do as a small business owner. Here are just 10 of them, allowing you to free up your time to focus on your business – or even finally have that holiday you’ve been talking about for ages!:
1) Email Management
Quite possibly one of the biggest challenges as a business owner is staying on top of your inbox so that it doesn't become a giant pile of spam. A VA can transform your chaotic inbox through a comprehensive email detox, including filing, filtering, and setting up auto-responses. They can flag important messages for follow-up, ensuring you never miss crucial correspondence; or provide answers to frequently asked questions directly to customers.
2) Documentation and Office Suite Management
From Word templates and mail merge to spreadsheet analysis and PowerPoint presentations, a VA can handle all those fiddly (but necessary) tasks in Microsoft or Google workspace. They can create feedback questionnaires, handle proofreading, and ensure your documents are polished and professional.
3) Calendar Management and Scheduling
No more back-to-back appointments without breaks! Being productive does not mean filling every available minute of every available day. A VA can optimise your calendar, send timely reminders to reduce no-shows, and ensure you have proper breathing space between meetings. Imagine feeling relaxed and prepared for every appointment, knowing your schedule is thoughtfully managed to avoid the risk of overwhelm.
4) Data Entry
Free yourself from time-consuming data input tasks. A VA can handle everything from updating customer information to maintaining financial records (I see you invoice reconciliation!), ensuring your databases are accurate and up-to-date.
5) Instruction Guides
Need clear, detailed guides for your products or services? A VA can create and maintain comprehensive instruction manuals, ensuring information is easily accessible and understood by both team members and clients. These guides aren't limited to static documents either. Screen recording actions to generate video guides can provide an inclusive way to explain topics to customers and colleagues.
6) CRM Setup and Management
What's a CRM? Do I need one? A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a tool that businesses use to track their interactions with customers. This is so that the customer experience and journey can be monitored, analysed and optimised. Your VA can not only set up your chosen CRM but also populate it with data and create automations for both new and existing clients. They'll ensure your sales pipeline runs smoothly, keeping track of client communications and next steps.
7) Workflow Mapping
Workflow maps allow you as a business owner to visualise your business processes to see exactly how you operate. A VA can help document and analyse your current procedures, ensuring that all stakeholders are identified. They can assist with discovering any bottlenecks, and suggesting ways to streamline operations and increase your efficiency.
8) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
While they might sound dull, SOPs are crucial for maintaining consistency in your business operations - essentially it just ensures that certain activities are done the same way every time. Having SOPs also allows you to identify any processes that aren't working as well as they could be so that you can make changes where necessary. Your VA can create detailed process flows for recurring activities, ensuring every client interaction follows the same procedure and therefore maintains the same high standard of quality and reliability.
9) Onboarding Materials
Make new client integration seamless with professionally prepared welcome packs, information guides, and onboarding documents. Your VA can create and maintain these materials, ensuring every new client receives a warm, professional welcome. On the flip-side, your VA can also create offboarding materials so that your clients feel supported at every step of their journey with you (and hopefully encouraging them to come back!).
10) Social Media Management
Keep your online presence consistent without getting lost in the social media void. A VA can schedule posts, engage with your audience, and maintain your social calendar, ensuring your brand stays active and connected with your community.
What now?
If any of these ideas have jumped out at you and you’d like to have a chat about how I can help you reclaim time and breathing space (and hopefully get you off on that holiday!), send me a message.
I want to delegate stuff! Yes please!
I want to learn some time management tips!
