Are you a budding entrepreneur? If so, chances are you’re a natural-born risk-taker! But trying to do everything yourself as a business owner is a risk you really can’t afford to take.
Every business owner needs an unstoppable support team, and in today’s digital world, there’s no reason your rockin’ team can’t be a virtual one!
Not only can an unstoppable virtual support team make the difference between the success and failure of your fledgling business, but it will also help keep you sane. Seriously! So many small business owners exhaust themselves working countless hours to take care of their business. While I have great respect for all those hard-workers out there, a bit of assistance from a stellar support team can not only help reduce that frenetic pace, but also boost efficiency and allow your business to grow.
Go For the Best
Typically, an unstoppable support team is made up of two kinds of people: mentors and specialists. Some you hire, some you pay for, and some you find by networking and outreach. Of course, you want your team to be as cost-effectively as possible, but don’t be scared to pay for experience and expertise. Having savvy people by your side is an investment that pays off by saving you years of hard work and mistakes.
As soon as you begin to draft your business plan, you should be on the lookout for members to add to your virtual support team. It’s a great idea to make a list of everyone you know who might be able to help you and your business thrive. Think about family members, old friends from college, even friends of friends who might help you gain the perspective your business needs. Remember, if you believe the person is mature, experienced, and has some relevant know-how, then they could be valuable to you.
The best part about working with a virtual team member is that it doesn’t matter if they move away. Using tools like Slack, Trello, Skype, and good old-fashioned email, you can connect with your entire team, no matter where in the world they’re located.
Decide On Your Team Members
So, what’s the relevant know-how and experience you should be looking for in your virtual team members?
The makeup of a virtual support team might differ a bit based on the industry, but almost every company can benefit from these experts: a designer, a copywriter, an ad specialist, a virtual assistant, and, without a doubt, an accountant.
A talented graphic designer will ensure that all of your branding is flawless, giving your business a truly professional look. Don’t underestimate the power of graphics in today’s online world. Graphics are what catches the eye to entice people to buy from your business. Adding a graphic designer to your team will help communicate your message and enhance the overall feel of your brand story.
Eye-catching graphics are essential, but so is the text that goes with them. An excellent copywriter will get people to click that ‘buy now’ button in record time, making them a major asset when it comes to writing sales copy pieces like your marketing emails and sales pages.
Facebook and Instagram are some of the best advertising platforms out there, and their ROI can go through the roof… if you know what you’re doing! An ad specialist is someone who can create marketing materials that position your calls-to-action in a way that gets you what you’re looking for: more clicks, more sign-ups, and more clients.
A virtual assistant is an asset to any great support team. Virtual assistants are there to lighten your load and take care of more mundane, daily tasks, so you’re free to grow and scale your business. Virtual assistants can help you in so many ways, from taking care of your website to keeping your systems up and running. They may even be able to help the rest of your team with light design, copy, and marketing work.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Good Accountant
No matter what size or type of business you run, you’ll need a professional accountant on your team. Why? Because it’s vital that you accurately track and report all the cash flowing in and out of your accounts that have to do with sales, expenses, and salaries.
Properly managing your books is provincial and federal law, but most importantly, it’s the only way to gain an accurate assessment of how your business is operating.
A professional accountant will be able to provide you with the information you need to make informed financial decisions to help your business succeed. In fact, one of the most common reasons companies fail is because they don’t have a professional accountant on their team.
Plus, the expense of hiring an accountant often pays for itself! A professional accountant will know the ins and outs of tax law, ensuring you’re maximizing your deductions, claiming all your credits, and ending the tax year with the biggest return possible.
Leverage Professional Networking
So, now that you know precisely who you should have on your virtual team, don’t limit yourself to local industry meetups or inviting people out to coffee. The whole world is your networking oyster, thanks to the power of the internet.
To attract the right people, make sure you have a stellar LinkedIn profile and active social media accounts, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Joining Facebook groups is a fantastic way to network and find the perfect virtual team members, while your LinkedIn and other social media profiles are the best way to make a good first impression on your potential hires.
Contact The Number Works
If you’re in the middle of assembling an unstoppable virtual support team and need a professional accountant in your corner, you’ll want to work with The Number Works. We’re a virtual accounting, and financial coaching firm that helps creative entrepreneurs tell their financial story.
We offer a wide range of services, including full cycle accounting, financial statement analysis, strategic planning, and taxes. In other words, we’re your one-stop shop for all your business’ accounting needs in Hamilton and the surrounding Southern Ontario area.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and discover if we’re the right fit to join forces and help your business succeed.