One of the most difficult aspects of running a creative business is staying on top of your to-do list. Creative entrepreneurs are often stretched in several ways at once — as writers, graphic designers, photographers, and marketers, to name but a few. And when you also have client projects to manage, even the smallest tasks can stack up quickly and become overwhelming, draining the passion and motivation you once had.

This is why hiring a virtual assistant (VA) has become a necessity for many creative entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to succeed in today's world.

What is a virtual assistant?

Virtual assistants (VAs) are independent professionals who provide support to their clients from a remote location outside of their client’s business, taking repetitive and time-consuming tasks off their hands.

As their professional skills are often highly transferable, they can specialize in a wide range of tasks, from administration and marketing to content creation and project management. VAs help business owners save time and money by taking on tasks that would otherwise require the attention of full-time employees, or themselves.

A virtual assistant is a flexible and cost-effective solution that can help relieve the pressure and let you focus on the things that matter — growing your business and following your passions — without making any compromises or sacrifices in your personal life.

Why creative entrepreneurs need a virtual assistant

Regardless of size or sector, there are some things that can't be avoided when running a business. Websites, emails, meetings, social media, and invoices are just some of the responsibilities you need to keep on top of to keep the wheels turning.

But let's be honest, it's highly unlikely that all those mundane, repetitive admin tasks are what inspired you to start your business in the first place. And with only so many hours each day, creative entrepreneurs are often faced with a tough choice.

Spend most of your time on back-office admin tasks, and your creativity and passion are likely to suffer.

Spend most of your time on your creative endeavors, and your business is likely to suffer.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

Virtual assistants can help with day-to-day, energy-zapping tasks so that you can focus on your strengths. This is the best way to ensure success and achieve your goals for your business.

See: Why Scheduling Creative Time Is Crucial For Success

Time management

How many times have you panicked at the end of the day when you realized the hours have flown by and you still have loads left to do? How many times have you felt guilty for continually having to put important things off? How many times have you worked late into the night to get everything done?

As cliché as it sounds, managing your time effectively is the key to success. But it's not just about meeting deadlines (as important as they are!), it's about getting the most out of every bit of time and energy you invest in your business.

Although, this can be much easier said than done when you have so much to try and juggle every day.

That's where virtual assistants come in.

With their help, you can be much more strategic with your time and reap the benefits that come with it. You can rest assured that you're spending your time and energy wisely to create the biggest impact each day, without having to neglect any less-impactful but still-necessary tasks or work overtime to make it happen.

Try delegating:

• Social media management
• Editing and proofreading documents
• Invoicing

See: The Top Five Time-Wasters For Entrepreneurs Revealed

Productivity

For business owners, working with a virtual assistant is as much about gaining the ability to focus without distractions as it is about reclaiming time in your day. The combination of being able to really think about how you’re going to grow your company, plus having the time to put those strategies into action, is extremely powerful.

Hiring virtual assistants gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore your creativity, come up with new innovative ideas, solve problems, or take on more billable work for clients. All of which are essential for growth and taking your business further.

Try delegating:

• Research
• Proposal creation
• Updating your website

See: 7 Ways A Virtual Assistant Can Help You Work Smarter

Balance

As mentioned above, it can be tough to keep on top of everything in your business when you're doing everything yourself. This can have a knock-on effect on your mood and how productive you are, as it's harder to focus and get things done when you're constantly stressed out.

Having someone to help manage your workload can go a long way in relieving the pressure and reducing stress, putting you in a significantly better mindset to do your best work.

Try delegating:

• Following up on late payments
• Writing blog posts
• Sending email campaigns

Organization

If you're a business owner who can relate to being a "disorganized genius", you're certainly not alone! In fact, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Steve Jobs were all reported to have messy desks, so you're in good company.

And especially for creative business owners who are always on the lookout for inspiration, we would never tell you to take down any mood boards or color palettes taped to your walls, or throw out your notebooks full of ideas.

But disorganization can easily creep up and start to derail your business without you even realizing it.

When you're constantly battling a never-ending stream of requests, a cluttered inbox, or missed opportunities, there's no question that being organized can save you a lot of time and money, not to mention keep your sanity in check. And this is another area where a virtual assistant can be a godsend.

The support of an experienced assistant can help you stay organized through all the craziness each day and make sure that you never miss a beat.

Try delegating:

• Schedule management
• Email management
• Data entry
• Inventory/stock management

What’s the bottom line?

As a business owner, you already know that running a company takes considerable time and energy. And as a creative, chances are you also know that the day-to-day, repetitive, back-office work is not the best use of yours.

One of the most important things you can do as an entrepreneur is to invest in yourself and your own talents. By doing so, you set yourself up for success now and for years to come.

By handling important business tasks and freeing up your schedule to focus on your strengths, a virtual assistant can help you take your business to the next level.

If you want to take back control of your time and get more done each day, speak to our expert team to get started with a virtual assistant. We’ll set you up with a dedicated professional based on the skills and experience you need.

Or try us out for free today!