How often do you want to be updated? How much time should your assistant be spending on this task?

Let your assistant know how much of their day they should be spending on the task and how often you’d like progress reports. Is there a specific format you’d like to use for the updates? If there’s an overall time limit to the task, let them know that too. All of this is important to communicate.

Why are they doing this task?

If your Virtual Assistant knows specifically why they are working on a task they can make sure the information they are garnering is relevant and precise for the specific outcome you’re looking for. Whether that’s planning a vacation or sourcing an ingredient – details matter.

Is your Virtual Assistant equipped to complete the task?

Have you given your assistant everything they need to complete the task? Do they have access to the files or login information they will need? Have you made sure they have the software they need? Contact information? Do they feel comfortable taking on the task?

Have you been specific?

If there’s a specific store or restaurant you’d like to use, a preferred credit card to use or an airline to avoid – make those details known!

Do you have inside information?

If your assistant will be contacting a company or person you have dealt with in the past do you have inside information from past dealings that can help them to be successful with their task? Share that information!

What should they do when they are struggling?

Do you want your assistant to reach out to you as soon as they reach an obstacle? Would you rather they try to work it out themselves first and just let you know where things stand? At what point should they turn the task over to you for help?

What are they allowed to do?

Your Virtual Assistant needs to know how much authority they have to act with and what they are or aren’t allowed to do or make decisions about.