How do you decide whom to work with? The first Virtual Assistant that comes your way, or do you interview several before deciding? How do you build a trusting relationship with someone you may never meet face to face? Having the kind of help that a virtual assistant provides can be a huge boon to your business. And, finding one you can trust and with whom you can work effectively is easier than you might first think.

Virtual Assistant, Anne Groves of www.RealtorsAid.com takes advice from a workshop led by none other than Mr. Internet. As a result, she now helps her potential clients to clearly define their personal and professional needs and goals before working for them, through the following steps:

1. Take time to get to know yourself and define your personal goals. Knowing your personal goals will help you in determining your professional goals (so your business serves you, rather than the other way around);
2. Go through your day and write down everything you do. Every task, how long did it take, did you enjoy it, can someone else perform this task for you and free you up to do what you do best? What things would you like to have done but just didn't have the time?
3. Start interviewing virtual assistants. Keep your list in front of you, consider whether or not the person you are interviewing has personality traits you enjoy, do they have the skills required to perform the task you need completed, ask questions regarding their goals and expectations, hours of operation, experience etc.;
4. When you find someone that meets those general needs, work with them to develop an action plan. Include things that you are currently doing to grow your business and how and when they will be completed. Also include things you would like to add in the future. Then start going through the list one by one.

When you do a little planning before looking for a VA, you will be more likely to partner with the right Virtual Assistant. One to whom you can comfortably delegate more of those necessary tasks you don't particularly care for, while freeing you up to do more of what you love!

Here are some real-life examples of how REALTORS and their VAs started and grew their mutually beneficial working relationship:

Anne Groves responded to an ad in the newspaper for a Real Estate Assistant. Craig Mercer of Coldwell Banker Residential Cherry Hill in Denver, CO was looking for someone to do a one-time project that consisted of data entry into Top Producer. Anne responded by saying that she hated data entry but knew Top Producer very well and would like to connect with Craig to talk about the position and determine if there was a smarter way to solve his data entry issues. After 45 minutes of talking Craig realized that Anne could bring much more to the table than he had anticipated. They began working with the understanding that they would build on the relationship gradually over time. As of this writing, they have been working together for 5 months and she now provides 20-30 hours of service per week. Not bad for something that was supposed to be only a one-time project!

Of course there is always more than one way to skin the proverbial cat, as Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant PJ Babcock says! PJ takes a different approach to building relationships.

After PJ, Training Evangelist and Virtual Consultant for the Virtual Training Center, and Mykel Martin of Century 21 King Realtors, in Rancho Cucamonga, CA decided to work together they started with "PJ's Rule of Three's."

PJ's Rule of Three's

• Three most important things you need to be able to accomplish your goals;

• Three things you are doing well;

• Three things you need to improve;

• Three things you need to know more about to be successful.

The "Rule of Three's" helped Mykel to quickly identify what areas needed work and what areas are currently working well. It also gives PJ a better idea as to how she can start helping her client. CLICK HERE to see a sample checklist that is used to facilitate this process. The information in this form is not typically completed in the first conversation. This happens through a process of gathering data through phone conversations, e-mail, and research between the REALTOR client and their VA.

After PJ's Rule of Three's were complete and the checklist was documented, PJ and Mykel worked together to create a list of 5-6 major task categories to develop. These categories will vary depending on the needs of the associate and their business goals. Priorities are documented, responsibility is assigned, and a Client Status Report is sent back to the agent. This document is ever-changing as tasks are completed, goals are reached, and priorities change. This helps PJ and her clients stay focused, goal oriented, and their virtual relationship continually successful!

When interviewing prospective REALTOR clients, I personally like to use tips and exercises from the book "Transforming Your Business Using A Virtual Assistant" by Michael Harren, Christine Durst and Mr. Internet. While primarily written for REALTORS, it has helped me (as a VA) understand the processes a Real Estate Professional or any entrepreneur goes through when releasing what they think is "control," so they can learn what real control is all about!

Knowing how to find a VA who is just right for you, is the first step toward a very real "partnership" dedicated to the success of your business and life plan.

Michelle Thornton is our VA CORNER columnist and a RESS Certified VA. You can visit her web site at TheRealEstateVa.com and contact her via e-mail at michelle@vacorner.com

(NOTE: Mr. Internet, his company and staff receive no compensation whatsoever from any third party vendors or service providers. Also any virtual assistant or consultant profile found in this publication is not to be construed as an endorsement of their services by Mr. Internet or his company.)