Virtual Freedom. Chris C. Ducker
Virtual freedom : how to work with virtual staff to buy more time, become more productive, and build your dream business / by Chris Ducker.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-939529-74-9 (trade paper : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-939529-75-6 (electronic) 1. Virtual reality in management. 2. Virtual work teams—Management. I. Title.
HD30.2122.D83 2014
658.4’022—dc23
2013039792
Editing by Amy Debra Feldman | Copyediting by Shannon Kelly
Proofreading by Amy Zarkos and James Fraleigh
Indexing by Jigsaw Indexing
Cover design by Bradford Foltz | Jacket design by Sarah Dombrowsky
Text design and composition by Silver Feather Design
Printed by Lake Book Manufacturing
Distributed by Perseus Distribution | www.perseusdistribution.com
To place orders through Perseus Distribution:
Tel: 800-343-4499 | Fax: 800-351-5073
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Significant discounts for bulk sales are available. Please contact Aida Herrera at [email protected]
To my children, CJ, Chloe, and Charles, I love you more thananything else in this world. You are all the inspiration I need toget up early every day and continue to work hardon my own entrepreneurial freedom.
To my wife, Ercille. Thank you for supporting me, motivatingme, and encouraging me in everything I do. Most importantly,thank you for being my best friend.I love you.
Contents
Why Build a Virtual Team in the First Place?
Getting Started with This Book
SECTION ONE: Finding and Hiring Your Virtual Staff
Reality Check: The Myth of the Super-VA
Introducing the General Virtual Assistant (GVA)
Creating Your 3 Lists to Freedom
Understanding the 2 Different Types of Outsourcing
Freedom Spotlight: Jared Croslow, Cliconomics.com
Defining the Different Types of Virtual Workers
Case Study #1: Todd Beuckens, Elllo
Finding the Right Virtual Staff
The 10 Elements of a Good Job Description
Case Study #2: Tom Libelt, Libelty SEO
The Interview Process (and the 10 Questions You Should Ask)
Confidentiality and Contracts
NDAs (Nondisclosure Agreements)
SECTION TWO: Training Your Virtual Staff
The Biggest Problem with Training Virtual Workers: You!
Case Study #3: Tristan King, Shopify Ninjas
Get to Know Your VAs
Develop Your Training Tools: The VA Training Trifecta
Case Study #4: Kyle Zimmerman, Kyle Zimmerman Photography
Best Practices When Training Your Virtual Staff
Throw Your VA a Curveball
Your VA Success Equation
Freedom Spotlight: Pat Flynn, SmartPassiveIncome.com
SECTION THREE: Managing Your Virtual Staff
Don’t Be a Virtual Vulture
Case Study #5: Steve Dixon, Dixon Clothing Group and Breakthrough4Business
How to Manage Different VA Roles
The Difference Between Revolving Tasks and Projects
Using Project-Management Software
Reports from Your Virtual Staff
Freedom Spotlight: Justin Fulcher, Kinda IT
Paying and Motivating Your Virtual Staff
SECTION FOUR: The Big Question: Stay Local or Go Overseas?
The Advantages of Staying Closer to Home
Why Outsourcing Overseas Is Not for Everyone—or Every Business
What About Customer Support?
The Outsourcing Destination of Choice: The Philippines
Case Study #6: Fiona Lewis, Super Savvy Business
5 Things to Remember When Working with Filipino VAs
Case Study #7: Paul Holland, VideoTise
SECTION FIVE: The Next Level: Building Your Virtual Team
How Different Types of Virtual Employees Will Work Together
Case Study #8: Nate Ginsburg, Onset LLC
Setting Company Goals and Rewards
Meeting Everyone in Person
Setting Up a Social Network for Your Virtual Team
Freedom Spotlight: Joe Daniel, The Football-Defense Report
When to Create the Virtual Project Manager Role
SECTION SIX: The Case for Content