Tasks, Costs & Support | Purple Thread VA
A Beginner’s Guide to Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Calm support for smoother, more manageable days
Running a business can sometimes feel like holding everything together by a single thread. Emails, admin, client work, finances… it all adds up. Before you know it, your evenings and weekends are quietly sewn into your workday.
This is where hiring a Virtual Assistant can gently change the pace. But what can you actually ask a Virtual Assistant to do? Most VAs provide a range of administrative support, including email and diary management, travel booking, and financial admin. You can view my services here – Services . In reality, almost anything you do online can be outsourced—you just need to find the right fit for the task.
How to decide what to outsource
Knowing what to hand over isn’t always obvious. If you aren’t sure where to start, try this simple process:
- Track your week: Jot down every task you carry out—especially those that creep into your evenings and weekends.
- Think beyond the week: Add in those bi-weekly, monthly, or annual tasks that get squeezed in at the last minute. Think of it like Christmas; we know it arrives every year, but we don’t always plan well for it.
- Take it all in: Look at your full list. Are you surprised by how much you have taken on? Take a moment to acknowledge how much you’ve been holding together. You’ve been doing it all—but you don’t have to keep doing it alone.
- Sort your tasks: Divide a page into two columns: Tasks I Enjoy and Tasks I Don’t Enjoy. Be honest—if a task doesn’t bring you pleasure, put it in the ‘Don’t Enjoy’ column.
- Focus on what drains you: Gently turn your attention to the ‘Don’t Enjoy’ list. These are your first threads to loosen. Start with the tasks that weigh most heavily. Over time, you can delegate more and build the right support around you.
How to find the right virtual assistant
Once you know what you’d like help with, find a VA who fits your way of working. You could:
- Post your opportunity on recruitment websites.
- Ask within social media groups dedicated to VAs.
- Search platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook.
Take your time. Notice how they communicate and whether their tone feels like a match. The right VA isn’t just about skills—it’s about finding someone you feel confident in and who makes your life easier.
Do you need a job description?
Generally, you only need a formal job description if you are advertising on large recruitment sites. Working with a VA is different; most have a simple onboarding process, including a contract and a form to gather the information they need, designed to keep things straightforward.
How much does it cost?
Typically, Virtual Assistants charge between £35–£45 per hour. While lower rates exist, you often get what you pay for.
At first glance, it might feel like an investment, but VAs are often more cost-effective than employees. They cover their own insurance and taxes, and you aren’t responsible for sick pay or holidays—you pay only for the hours they work for you. Consider what your time is worth: if a VA frees up 2 hours a week, that’s 8 hours a month. How much could you earn from client work in that extra time? Find out more about my pricing structure here – Virtual Assistant Pricing.
Getting started
You’ll usually begin with an initial, no-commitment conversation. This is your chance to discuss systems, password sharing, communication preferences, and turnaround times. A good Virtual Assistant will guide you through this, making everything feel clear and secure from the start.
You’re ready
Once your Virtual Assistant has what they need, you can step back. You are in safe hands. You can return to the parts of your business you enjoy, spend more time with family, or simply allow yourself a little breathing space. A calmer, more supported way of working—carefully stitched together to suit you.
Ready to lighten the load?
If you’re starting to feel the pull of too many tasks and not enough time, you don’t have to keep holding it all together alone. At Purple Thread VA, I offer calm, reliable support to help your days run more smoothly. Contact me here to get started.
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