If you own your own promo business, you know the challenges that can arise from trying to juggle all the tasks. At some point, you’ll need to delegate some responsibilities so you can continue growing your business. If you’re not in the market to hire an employee, try hiring a virtual assistant. According to a post on the Upwork blog, a virtual assistant can be a cost-effective alternative to assist you with daily tasks.

Not sure if a virtual assistant is right for you? Continue reading this issue of PromoPro Daily, where we share a post from the Upwork blog that discusses the advantages of working with a virtual assistant.

Time savings. Are there clearly defined tasks you could easily delegate to someone else? Maybe it’s filling out forms or responding to customer queries. Unless something requires your personal touch, hire a virtual assistant to help you get back more time in your day.

Expanded reach. Virtual assistants can help with routine tasks, but also with digital marketing. The Upwork post says is you’re not familiar with digital marketing or don’t have the budget to hire a full marketing team, work with a virtual assistant who has that skill set.

Improved customer service. It’s important for any brand to provide exceptional customer service. Virtual assistants can help business owners provide a better level of service, from responding to social media comments to addressing business emails.

Renewed focus on core business areas. As your promo business grows, take time to identify the tasks you must oversee and those you can delegate to others. The Upwork post says it makes much more sense to focus on macro decisions like your business strategy, yearly budget or product development since no one understands the organization's goals as well as you do. Tasks like scheduling meetings and generating invoices can be handled by a virtual assistant.

Improved work-life balance. Hiring a virtual assistant can also bring more balance to your life. By handing off smaller tasks, you can take some time off and know that your business is still running smoothly.

Boosted productivity. When you hire a virtual assistant with specialized skills, the Upwork post says you can often complete tasks far quicker than if you tried to learn and do it yourself. Your team’s productivity should go up, and the burden on existing staff members should be reduced.

Enhanced emotional well-being. It’s understandable to experience strong emotions around your business. You launched it and you’re responsible for its growth. While you might want to care for every single thing that goes wrong, it’s a sure path to burnout. A trusted virtual assistant can help share these responsibilities with you.

Hiring a virtual assistant can be a great first step in growing your company. Not only will you enhance your delegation skills, but you’ll free up more of your time for the most valuable work.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: The Upwork blog. Upwork is a marketplace that connects independent consultants and agencies around the world.