Hiring a VA is a Win Win for Any Luxury Travel Advisor | Luxury Travel University

Hiring a virtual assistant can be a great way to take your travel agency to the next level. A virtual assistant can handle a variety of tasks, from answering customer questions to making travel arrangements.
They can also help with marketing and social media, providing valuable support that frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.
In addition, hiring a virtual assistant can help to build your travel brand and expand your reach. By working with a virtual assistant, you can free up your time to focus on what you do best, while they handle the rest.

Here are 4 tips to get you started and immediately free up your time.

1. How to find the right virtual assistant for your business

As the virtual assistant industry continues to grow, so does the number of virtual assistant service providers. 

With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know how to find the right virtual assistant for your business. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Define your needs. 

The first step is to take a close look at your travel business and identify what tasks you need help with. This will give you a good starting point for finding a virtual assistant who has the skills and experience to support your specific needs.

Consider your budget. Virtual assistants can offer a wide range of services, so it's important to consider your budget when making your selection. There are many affordable virtual assistant services available, so you should be able to find one that fits within your budget. 

Using younger less established advisors or those who have retired may be a good start.

Research your options. 

Once you know what you need and how much you're willing to spend, it's time to start researching your virtual assistant options. Read online reviews, check out virtual assistant portfolios, and ask for recommendations from people you trust. This will help you narrow down your choices and find the right virtual assistant for your business.

2. What to look for when interviewing potential candidates
When you're looking for a virtual assistant, there are a few key qualities to keep an eye out for.
First, you want someone who is organized and detail-oriented. This person will be responsible for keeping track of your schedule, so it's important that they be able to handle multiple tasks at once and stay on top of deadlines.

Second, you want someone who is a good communicator. This person will be your primary point of contact, so it's important that they be able to communicate effectively both in writing and in person.

Finally, you want someone who is proactive and takes initiative. This person will need to be able to work independently and think on their feet in order to keep your business running smoothly.

By keeping these qualities in mind, you can ensure that you find the right virtual assistant for your needs.

3. How to train and manage your new virtual assistant
A virtual assistant can perform a wide variety of tasks, from managing your email, building your Travefy, logging your commissions to making travel arrangements.
However, training and managing a virtual assistant can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your new virtual assistant:
Clearly define the tasks that you expect your virtual assistant to perform. The more specific you are, the better.
Set up clear communication channels. Whether you prefer email, instant messaging, or video conferencing, make sure that both you and your virtual assistant are using the same communications platform.

Establish expectations for availability and response times. If you need your virtual assistant to be available 24/7, make sure you let them know in advance.
Similarly, if you expect prompt responses to your messages, make sure your virtual assistant is aware of this expectation.
Keep an open mind. Virtual assistants are highly skilled professionals who can often bring new and innovative perspectives to your business.
By keeping an open mind, you can tap into your virtual assistant's full potential.

4. Tips for working successfully with a virtual assistant
Establish clear expectations and boundaries from the start. It's important to be clear about what you expect from your virtual assistant, and what their limits are. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings down the line.
Communicate regularly. A virtual assistant is not a mind reader, so regular communication is essential in order to ensure that they are meeting your needs. Make sure to give feedback on their performance, both positive and negative, on a regular basis. Use an online team platform to communicate and document the work.
Be respectful of their time. A virtual assistant is just like any other professional - they have commitments outside of work, and respect their time accordingly. Make sure not to overload them with work, and be understanding if they need to take a break occasionally.
Be willing to compromise. Nobody is perfect, and that includes virtual assistants. Be willing to compromise on some things in order to get the best possible results overall.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the work that goes into running your luxury travel agency, it might be time to consider hiring a virtual assistant.
Virtual assistants can take care of many of the day-to-day tasks that you don't have time for, and they can do so at a fraction of the cost of hiring someone full-time.
By following these tips, you can develop a strong working relationship with your virtual assistant that will benefit both parties involved and free yourself from trying to be every part of the business.


 
About the Author

Angela Hughes is a business strategist and luxury travel advisor who has travelled to over 87 countries with over 35+ years in the travel business. She loves sipping a seltzer water in the south of France, photographing local food markets and eating Japanese food. Angela can be reached at www.luxurytraveluniversity.com | [email protected]