Which Work Should I Give Out First To A Virtual Assistant?

If you’re thinking about hiring a virtual assistant but don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions business owners ask is:

What should I outsource first?

The truth is, most entrepreneurs wait too long to delegate. By the time they decide to hire help, they’re already overwhelmed, behind schedule, and stuck doing tasks that don’t grow the business.

Here’s a simple guide to help you confidently choose your first tasks to outsource.

1. Start with repetitive administrative tasks

   
   

These are the easiest tasks to pass on because they follow a clear pattern.

Examples:

• Answering routine emails

• Managing your inbox

• Scheduling meetings

• Data entry

• Organizing files

• Preparing simple documents

These tasks don’t require your decision-making—but they consume a surprising amount of time.

2. Customer Support

If your business receives a lot of customer messages, inquiries, comments, or follow-ups, this is one of the best tasks to delegate first.

A VA can handle:

• Replying to general questions

• Updating customers about their orders

• Managing refunds and replacements

• Monitoring reviews

• Managing support tickets

This ensures a smooth customer experience without you spending hours answering messages.

3. E-commerce Operations (If You Run a Store)

For Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, or Faire sellers, a VA can take over:

• Product listings

• Keyword updates

• Inventory monitoring

• Order tracking

• Competitor research

• Store maintenance

These are essential but time-consuming tasks—perfect for outsourcing.

4. Social Media Scheduling

If your brand needs a consistent online presence but you’re too busy to post, let a VA schedule and publish content for you.

They can:

• Draft captions

• Schedule posts

• Organize content calendars

• Respond to comments/messages

• Update your profile or links

This helps your brand stay active without requiring your daily attention.

5. Research Tasks

Whether it's competitor research, supplier scouting, blog topic research, or list building, this is an easy win.

Research is essential.

But it shouldn’t take up your CEO time.

Start Small — Grow Later

You don’t need to outsource everything at once. Choose 3–5 tasks with clear instructions, pass them to your VA, and let your workload lighten instantly.

Want help identifying exactly what you can delegate?

👉 Book a free consultation, and we’ll map out a custom plan for you.

Our Promise-

At SMI Vault, you’re not just hiring a VA.

You’re gaining a managed support system that protects your time, energy, and business operations.

Welcome to the Vault.

We’ve got your back.