What Is a Virtual Assistant?
In today’s fast-paced business world, many entrepreneurs and small business owners are realising that they can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything themselves. That’s where Virtual Assistants (VAs) come in.
A Virtual Assistant is essentially an extra pair of hands for your business — working remotely, often on a freelance or contract basis, to take care of the tasks that eat up your time but don’t necessarily need you to do them.
What Does a Virtual Assistant Do?
The role of a VA is deliberately flexible. Some specialise in admin, while others focus on marketing, tech, or even industry-specific support. Common tasks include:
Managing emails and calendars
Handling customer enquiries
Data entry and database management
Social media scheduling and engagement
Bookkeeping or invoicing support
Research and reporting
Setting up and maintaining CRM systems like HighLevel
Essentially, if it can be done on a computer, chances are a Virtual Assistant can take it off your plate.
Why Businesses Use Virtual Assistants
Hiring a VA has become a popular move for small and medium-sized businesses for a few key reasons:
Cost-effective – You only pay for the time or projects you need, without the overheads of hiring a full-time employee.
Scalable – As your business grows, you can increase the hours or tasks you outsource.
Flexible – VAs often work across multiple time zones, meaning support can be available outside of your typical office hours.
Specialist skills – Many VAs bring expertise in software tools, automation, or industries that you might not have in-house.
The Rise of Specialist Virtual Assistants
The market for VAs has matured significantly. Today, many don’t just handle admin but offer specialist services:
Marketing VAs – managing campaigns, social media, email systems.
Tech VAs – setting up automations, CRMs, websites.
Executive VAs – providing high-level admin and project management.
Industry-specific VAs – for example, a VA who works only with coaches, accountants, or therapists.
This shift means business owners can now plug real skill gaps in their teams — without committing to full-time salaries.
How to Work with a VA Successfully
Like any working relationship, the key to success with a Virtual Assistant is clarity and communication.
Define the tasks and outcomes clearly.
Use tools like Slack, Trello, or HighLevel to manage workflows.
Start small — delegate a few tasks and build up as trust grows.
Treat them as part of your team, even if they’re remote.
Final Thoughts
A Virtual Assistant can be a game-changer, freeing you up to focus on the higher-value activities that actually grow your business. Whether you need admin support, marketing execution, or technical expertise, there’s likely a VA out there who specialises in exactly what you need.
And as more VAs become experts in systems like HighLevel, the line between “assistant” and “partner in growth” is becoming increasingly blurred.
If you’d like to learn how MarketerM8 helps VAs support their clients with HighLevel, check out our HighLevel Workshops
