Why Every Direct Seller Should Consider Hiring a Virtual Assistant (and How to Do It the Right Way)
Today, we’re diving into something truly underutilized in direct sales and social selling:
Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA).
If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed, burnt out, or spending hours on tasks that don’t actually grow your business… this is for you.
Let’s dig in.
Listen in to this episode of the podcast:
First Things First: What Is a Virtual Assistant?
You’d be shocked how many people hear “VA” and assume I’m talking about the state of Virginia. 😅
A virtual assistant (or VA) is someone you hire to help you with business tasks virtually—meaning they do not work in your home, do not need to be a traditional employee, and don’t require W-2 or payroll paperwork.
Think of a VA as your behind-the-scenes business partner.
They can help with:
- Graphics
- Scheduling posts
- Podcast or content uploading
- Messaging follow-ups
- Admin tasks
- Website updates
- Organization
- Email copy
- Customer service
- And so much more
You pay them per hour or per project depending on the arrangement.
And here’s the best part:
👉 You don’t have to do everything yourself.
Even though your brain might be screaming, “But I can do all these things!” — the real question is:
Should you?
My Mindset Shift: Why I Finally Hired My First VA
For a long time, I told myself:
- “I can do that myself.”
- “Why pay someone when I know how to make graphics?”
- “Uploading a podcast transcript only takes five minutes.”
- “It’s easier if I just do it.”
But here’s what I learned:
Just because you can do everything doesn’t mean you should.
In 2020, I joined a mastermind. My coach gently (okay… repeatedly) encouraged me to hire a VA.
I resisted for a while.
But the final straw?
I spent three hours—YES, THREE—trying to make a simple end-of-month recognition graphic for my team.
It should have taken 10 minutes.
I was frustrated, behind, and wasting precious time on something that wasn’t actually growing my business.
That’s the moment I realized…
👉 I could keep doing everything myself and burn out
OR
👉 I could get support and show up in my business the way only I can
So I hired my first VA.
And friend… I will never go back.
How I Found My Virtual Assistants
I’ve now worked with multiple VAs across my businesses, and here’s how I’ve found them:
1. Referrals
The first VA I hired was actually a member of my mastermind who trained other VAs. I already trusted her and knew her skill set.
2. Social Media
There are TONS of VAs who specialize in:
- Direct sales
- Network marketing
- Social media management
- Course creation
- Podcast support
If you post:
“I’m looking to hire a virtual assistant for a few hours per week. Any recommendations?”
you’ll likely get flooded with names.
3. VA Agencies or Marketplaces
Options include:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- Creative Market (for design-style projects)
These are great for one-time tasks or projects.
4. People Already in Your World
Sometimes your best VA is:
- A customer
- A team member
- A friend
- A local college student
- Someone already familiar with your products or brand
What a VA Contract & Setup Should Look Like
A professional VA will provide:
- A contract
- Confidentiality/NDA protections
- Clear expectations
- A payment schedule
- Rates and hourly details
You’ll want to share:
- Login info (only if you feel fully comfortable)
- A Google Doc outlining tasks, SOPs, and scripts
- Loom videos for how-to processes
This saves SO much time in the long-run.
What My VAs Actually Do for Me
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the tasks my VAs currently handle.
VA #1 (Megan) – General & Marketing Support
She helps with:
- Uploading podcast transcripts to my website
- Sending messages to new Facebook friends
- Sending welcome messages in my VIP group
- Scheduling posts
- Making audiograms for my podcast
- Posting across Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest
- Pinterest content creation
- Graphics for promotions, launches, courses
- One-off tasks for events or workshops
She works from a shared Google Doc and we communicate via Voxer.
Super streamlined, super simple.
VA #2 (Chandler) – Direct Sales Team & VIP Group Support
Chandler specializes in direct sales, which is GOLD.
She helps with:
- End-of-month recognition graphics
- Motivational Monday posts
- Team Sunday Spotlight posts
- Pulling monthly volume and team reports
- Scheduling Girls Night In content
- Scheduling my VIP group daily content
- Additional recognition or launch tasks
She also understands my exact company, which makes everything smoother because there’s no learning curve on rank names, incentives, back office lingo, etc.
What VAs Cost (And Why It’s Worth It)
My VAs have ranged from $18–$25/hour depending on their experience and package size.
I usually buy hours in bulk (like a 40-hour package) because it drops the hourly rate.
And remember:
👉 Your VA is a tax write-off.
(I am not a tax pro — but yes, it’s 100% a business expense.)
👉 Your time is your most valuable resource.
Think about what you could do with:
- 2 hours back each week
- 40 hours back each quarter
- 200 hours back each year
More connecting.
More selling.
More content creation.
More leadership.
More LIFE.
Should You Hire a VA?
Ask yourself:
- Do I feel overwhelmed?
- Do I procrastinate on certain tasks?
- Am I spending too much time on things that don’t produce income?
- Could someone else do this faster or better?
- Would freeing up time help my mental health or creativity?
- Is my business growing to the point where I need support?
Most direct sellers wait too long to hire help.
I want you to start sooner.
How to Find Your VA
Try these approaches:
- Post on your social media asking for recommendations
- Ask sidelines or uplines
- Search hashtags:
- #virtualassistant
- #directsalesVA
- #socialsellingassistant
- #onlinebusinessmanager
- #virtualassistant
- Look in business Facebook groups
- Ask in my Facebook group!
You can absolutely find someone amazing. I promise.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Hiring a VA has been one of the BEST investments I’ve ever made in my business.
Not because I’m incapable.
Not because I’m lazy.
But because my time is valuable — and so is yours.
You deserve support.
You deserve spaciousness.
You deserve to outsource the tasks that drain you so you can pour into the things that move your business forward.
If this blog helped you, share it with a teammate or friend who might be overwhelmed or ready for their next level.
And if you want more support, come join my free community on Facebook!
Or grab my Six Figure Social Selling Planner & Tracker:
📍http://www.LindsayDollinger.com
Your future VA is waiting for you — and so is the freed-up time you didn’t even realize you needed. 💛