4 Tips for Working with a Virtual Assistant

Working with a Virtual Assistant doesn’t mean you “dump it and forget it.”  Having a great virtual working relationship is really no different than having a great working relationship with an on-site team member. It takes time, communication, and a little bit of effort!

Here’s what we at AnotherME know to be true for our successful clients and how you can make sure your virtual working relationships will be successful too!

1)  Understanding your big WHY behind the what.  A virtual assistant is a trusted member of your team. (or they should be)  They are not little robots or time clock punchers. Typically they are the “get the job done” – results oriented types versus work my hours/week and go home.  It’s important for them to know the WHY of this new project or program you are asking them to complete or set up on their behalf.  Everyone likes to have meaning in what they are doing.  Understanding the WHY makes your VA feel a part of the team and gives them the framework to find and offer suggestions or improvements to what they are working on.

2)  A virtual working relationship must start with mindset of TRUST.  No one is perfect! Admit it, you’ve had your share of mistakes, typos, delays, etc.  It’s easy to point the finger when your virtual team member slips and doesn’t meet your expectation or when they miss a deadline. When that happens, it’s time to TALK with your virtual assistant – no emails that can be misunderstood.  Actually get on the phone and find out what happened…if your directions were clear and understood or if the task was not within their skills/abilities. Assume the best in your VA first; not the worst.  By doing so, you can develop a culture of trust and a sense of ownership and “team.”

3)  Virtual working relationships can be long lasting and productive – sometimes better than an on-site working relationship.  It’s a FACT.  More and more savvy realtors are opting for working with a Virtual Team where the strength of a relationship isn’t measured by proximity.  Do you really need someone sitting in your office and taking up space to work on programs and websites that are all internet based?

4)  Use technology to get face to face. Phone calls, texts and emails are great, but consider a monthly or quarterly chat with your virtual team members via Skype.  Include your buyer’s agents or other office staff so that everyone can be part of the experience.

The best virtual relationships take time and some effort.  By implementing the four ideas listed above and leading your virtual team like you would an on-site team, you will develop a results oriented, efficient and successful business!

 

Image Credit – traffikmarketing.com

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It works for Righties or Lefties – DocuSign

You know the drill. Just sign here, here, here …and initial here, here, here and here… and when your fingers are cramping and numb, we’ll have ourselves a legal document.

The paperwork in a real estate transaction – from listing to closing – can be a real time-drain for all involved.  On some deals, all those signatures and initials just might necessitate a physical therapy appointment.

DocuSign offers a legal, secure electronic signature service guaranteed to reduce the wear-and-tear on schedules and fine motor skills.  Did you know that an electronic signature is enforceable and legal. (even in California!)

Better yet, DocuSign Lite is a free service anyone can use right from DocuSign’s homepage! There’s no paper, no account to set up, no cost or credit card number to provide. Simply upload the document that requires a signature and enter the email address of the recipient. Your recipient gets an email message from DocuSign notifying them of a document to be signed and you receive an emailed receipt confirming that the process is complete.

For more information, here is a link to the DocuSign blog.  If you’re a Mortgage professional, an REO Professional or a Real Estate Professional, take a moment to read through the section dedicated to the real estate industry.

Learn how DocuSign can speed up the process for everyone on both sides of a transaction.  And if you’re headed to NAR – you can check out their booth.  Tell them AnotherME sent you!

Pen

So when you hear, “where do I sign?”… now you can tell your clients, just click here, here, here and here…

Playing the Voicemail Game?

Do you feel like a pawn in the voice mail chess game? Call – Call Back? Message – Return Message? Check – Check Mate? Well, technology has come to our rescue!

SlyDial (www.slydial.com) is a free service for your land or mobile calls that allows you to connect immediately to your recipient’s mobile voice mail without waiting for four to six rings, their outgoing message, inevitblue phonesable prompts, blah, blah, blah.  SlyDial lets you go directly to voice mail.  Check Mate!

SlyDial is a real time-saver when when you need to share a bit of information and just don’t have time for a full conversation. It’s also a tool for discretion and consideration – ever disturb or distract someone when all you wanted to do was leave a quick voicemail? Like the times you remember that you need to return someone’s call… at midnight!  I hate it when that happens.

So here’s how it works: to use Slydial from a land line or a cellular phone, dial 267-Sly-Dial (267-759-3425) to leave a message for your intended recipient. The service is free to users who don’t mind listening to a little advertising, or you can pay a very modest subscription fee to avoid ads (look for the words “MYslydial Premium”.)

2 cell phones

You don’t have to join the premium service to use SlyDial – just enter the 267-759-3425 number on your phone and you’re in business. But if you want to use SlyDial apps for your iPhone (www.apple.com/iphone), BlackBerry (www.BlackBerry.com) and Windows Mobile Smartphones, you need to be a MYslydial Premium subscriber.

There’s lots of great information (check out the FAQs) at the SlyDial website that clearly explains the value of this very simple, very convenient communication solution.

I’m always looking for ways to save time here or there and to become more efficient in my business.  Slydial is a winning deal!