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The most common question we're asked isn't "should I hire a VA?" — it's "what level of VA do I actually need?" Paying for more experience than the work requires wastes money; paying for less creates rework.
Start from the tasks, not the title
List the work you want off your plate, then group it:
- Routine and rule-based — data entry, inbox triage, scheduling, posting pre-written social content. This is Tier 1–2 territory.
- Skilled and tool-specific — CRM upkeep, bookkeeping, content creation, coordinating projects. That's Tier 3.
- Judgement and discretion — managing an executive's calendar, stakeholder communication, board papers. Tiers 4–5.
A rule of thumb
If a task has a written procedure (or could have one), a Tier 1–2 VA will handle it well. If the task involves representing you to other people, step up a tier.
Not sure?
That's normal — most clients sit between two tiers on paper. Tell us what's on your plate and we'll recommend one honestly: the right match matters more to us than the bigger fee, because mismatches come back as replacements.