Using Virtual Assistants in online selling 

I’ve had 3 great uses for Virtual assistants recently. They are examples from the Amazing FBA podcast. But they could equally apply, with a little strategic thinking, to any online business. That certainly includes Amazon selling/e-commerce.

Virtual Assistant 1: Daniel (American)  who edits the podcast

Strategic reason for use:

driving traffic, in this case influencer marketing as an influencer.

Example tasks for Amazon sellers:

Paying someone to create a guest article. You could then offer it to multiple blog owners. You can even pay blog owners to put an article on your article. I've been offered this recently as a blog owner for example.

Paying someone to reach out to influencers like bloggers, podcasters, instagrammers, Youtubers etc.

Lessons learned:

It’s about cost per completed task rather than cost per hour

Virtual Assistant 2: helping create (digital) product

Strategic reason for use:

Creating a great product and consumer experience, driving reviews thus conversions and more sales

Example tasks for Amazon sellers:

Paying your supplier to  create wonderful products

Creating extra value with digital downloads eg ebooks

Lessons learned:

$5 an hour DOES matter IF you’ve found a really competent person!

Outsourcing forces you to explain things.

That explanation can be turned into a file of some kind, and create an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). You can make it into a google doc or Google Sheet.

Or you can turn it into a Trello task or even a whole Trello board (Asana is another popular alternative). That can then be reused if you do the same task again, or for future virtual assistants.

Virtual Assistant 3: Joanna  - Poland - designing PDF download

Strategic reasons for using designer

Driving consumer satisfaction when using product. This drives reviews, which in turn drives better conversions.

Example tasks  for Amazon sellers:

Creating great packaging

Creating great infographics for your listing, driving conversions

Lessons learned:

DIY design looks amateurish, so it’s not going to create a strong brand impression (thus weaker pricing).

Great design is part of high value perception. This is part of getting a higher price and the start of brand loyalty too.

Expensive upfront in terms of hourly rate can still be justified IF it leads over time to higher value perception. Higher prices often mean more profit too.

In a crowded marketplace, great visual elements are CRITICAL

Top of show links mentioned:

"Build" - Free PDF Guide 10 Steps to Build a Private Label Business

Private Label Process course (£100/$130 reduction for those with over £500/$600 month e-commerce turnover)

Watch my discussion of Virtual Assistants for Amazon sellers