The idea of outsourcing your eBay business may sound like a good idea if you’re overloaded with work or simply don’t want to deal with eBay anymore, but it’s important to note that this isn’t as simple as it sounds; in fact, hiring an eBay virtual assistant is an investment that could cost you quite a bit of money if you don’t do your research properly. Here are ten tips for making sure you hire the best eBay virtual assistant for your needs.
1) Decide What Is Important To You
How many hours per week would you like your VA to work on average? Will this be a full-time or part-time job for the individual who is hired as your VA? Would you prefer someone in a different time zone from yours? How long does each task take to complete typically, so we can estimate how much this person will charge based on their hourly rate (or estimated monthly cost)?
2) Write A Job Description
eBay Virtual Assistants provide administrative support, research, and customer service. You can find one by searching virtual assistant on Upwork or Freelancer. We’ve compiled a list of criteria to consider when hiring a VA:
- What type of work do you need done?
- Do you need email correspondence with the VA? Is it necessary for them to have a gmail account?
- Are tasks time sensitive or ongoing?
- Is there anything illegal about what you are asking the VA to do?
3) Do Some Pre-Screening
Before diving head first into hiring a VA, it’s important to do some pre-screening. Make a list of requirements that your ideal VA must meet and then have them fill out a questionnaire about themselves. This will help weed out candidates who are not qualified or who don’t have any experience with what you are looking for in a VA.
4) Interview The Applicants
- What time zone you in? I am in Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).
- Do you have a college degree? Yes, I graduated from Florida State University with my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences.
- Where can we contact you if we need help? You can contact me at
5) Check References
It is important that when you are interviewing a potential VA that you have a list of questions ready. Do not be shy, ask them what they have done before and what their experience is. A VA should be able to answer these questions without hesitating or making up an answer on the spot. You should also check references and read reviews from past customers. When it comes time to negotiate salary, do not just go with the first offer!
6) Use A Contract That Aligns Your Interests
Below are some points to include in an agreement:
- What is expected from both parties?
- How much will be paid?
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3) How long will it last?
7) Establish Clear Expectations For Performance
When hiring eBay Virtual Assistant, it is important that you are clear about what your expectations are. You should be clear about what tasks and projects will be assigned, how often they need to be completed, and when they will be completed. This way there won’t be any confusion or misunderstanding. Plus, if you have any questions throughout the process, this will give them a clear understanding of what their role in your business is.
8) Maintain Respectful Communication
It’s very important that you maintain respectful communication with your VA and don’t treat them as a servant. This person is working hard for you, so it’s important that they’re engaged and want to work. If they’re not happy, they won’t do a good job. Make sure that there is a healthy balance of work, which will lead to more results in less time.
9) Document Everything
Document everything. Make a list of what tasks need to be done, and then delegate them. Include deadlines and time frames. Put it all in writing so there are no misunderstandings. The more detail you have on paper, the more likely it is that things will go as planned, which will save you a lot of stress in the end!
10) Set Aside Some Time For Training
Training is an important component of any successful relationship between a business owner and their VA. Make sure you set aside time in your schedule to teach them about your goals, process and procedures. They will be more able to help if they know what success looks like. Plus, it’s a good idea to set up weekly check-ins or monthly one-on-ones so that there is always someone on hand with expertise who can answer questions and help troubleshoot when needed.
