How it works
If you’ve never outsourced an Assistant role before, you might have a few questions. This is how we do things at Blue Sheep:
FAQs
What is a VA?
A VA (Virtual Assistant) provides professional support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. They work remotely, handling everything from emails and diary management to marketing, research and social media. In short, they can take tasks off your plate so you can have more time to focus on growing your business.
How can I tell if I need an Assistant?
If your to-do list never seems to get shorter, you’re working late or on weekends just to stay on top of admin or you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be time for some extra support. Maybe you’ve even had to turn down opportunities because you simply don’t have the capacity. These are all signs that you could benefit from an outsourced Assistant.
What tasks can I give to my Assistant?
Anything that’s clogging up your to-do list! We can support you in many ways, taking on a wide variety of tasks. These include (but are not limited to!) diary and inbox management, admin, marketing, social media support, design work, website management, invoicing and event management. If there’s something that takes up your time but doesn’t have to be done by you, chances are we can take care of it.
Can you come to work at our offices or have in-person meetings?
We are happy to have monthly in-person meetings if you’re in the Buckinghamshire area but outside of that, we prefer virtual meetings. We are a virtual service so we don’t typically work from clients’ offices. By working remotely, we can be more flexible, responsive and efficient while keeping costs down for you. But don’t worry, we’re always just a video call, email or phone chat away whenever you need us.
What do you need to get started?
We start with a kickoff meeting to understand your needs and to introduce you to your Assistant. To get everything running smoothly, we’ll need access to any relevant systems, platforms or profiles, ideally with a dedicated login for your assistant. We also have a simple onboarding form to collect key company details to help us get up and running smoothly.
How much do you charge?
It’s £40 per hour with a minimum of 5 hours per month.
Should I choose a package or a retainer agreement?
We recommend starting with a package, especially if we are setting up new systems or processes. This allows us to get everything in place and figure out how much support you’ll need each month. Once things are running smoothly and we have a clearer idea of your ongoing requirements, switching to a retainer agreement can be a great way to ensure consistent support.
What if I don’t use all my hours in a month?
This is quite rare as most businesses find there are so many more tasks they can give us. There are no refunds, so look at your to-do list to see what else you can delegate!
Do I get my own Assistant?
Yes, you will be matched with a lead Assistant, who has the necessary skills for your business, with a wider team able to lend a hand where needed.
What happens when my Assistant goes on holiday?
The beauty of working as a team is that we cover for each other. If your Assistant is on holiday, someone else will step in to provide support.