Virtual Assistant vs Strategist: Who Should You Hire?

As someone who’s passionate about helping small businesses thrive for years, we’ve dedicated my career to training people who serve the unique needs of entrepreneurs. Whether you’re hiring a service provider or you are the service provider, we’ve seen firsthand how the right support can make a huge difference in driving growth.

Through our experience with virtual assistants (VAs) and service providers, we’ve learned a lot about the tasks that business owners usually delegate. Some have well-established processes that need someone to execute them, while others are still figuring out their plans and need strategic guidance.

So, how do you know what kind of help you need? Let’s break it down.

Understanding Your Needs: What Does Your Business Require?

The first step in hiring a virtual assistant is understanding what exactly you need. The clearer you are on your needs, the easier it will be to find someone who’s a perfect fit.

But what if you’re not quite sure what you need?

That’s okay!

You can hire someone to help you figure it out. Generally, you have two options: Hire a Strategist, or an Implementer. But what’s the difference between the two?

A strategist is someone who helps you develop a game plan. They’ll take a deep dive into your business goals and map out how to achieve them. If you’re looking to create a sales funnel, improve your conversions, or grow your email list, a strategist will give you the roadmap you need.

Strategists are often worth their weight in gold because they bring specialized expertise and help you cut through the noise to focus on what truly moves the needle for your business.

Here are some signs you need a strategist:

• You don’t have a solid plan in place and need guidance on what to prioritize.

• You have goals but don’t know the best way to achieve them.

• You’re trying to build out from scratch, like a new product launch or content strategy, but feel overwhelmed by all the moving parts.

When to Hire an Implementer

If you already know what needs to be done but just need someone to execute the plan, then an implementer is what you’re looking for. These VAs are task-oriented and will handle things like social media posting, email campaigns, or setting up systems you've already defined. An implementer is ideal for business owners who have a solid plan in place but need help taking things off their plate.

Here's when to hire an implementer, or a VA:

• You have a clear plan or process but lack the time to execute it yourself.

• You need someone who’s efficient at getting tasks done and knows their way around various software and systems.

• You want to focus more on income-generating activities while someone else takes care of the day-to-day tasks.

When You Need a Strategist

Which One is Right for You?

To make the best choice for your business, consider your current situation:

• Do you need help figuring out how to reach your goals? Hire a strategist.

• Do you already have a plan in place and need someone to handle the tasks? Hire an implementer (or a Virtual Assistant)

Both roles are incredibly valuable but serve different purposes. Strategists usually come at a higher rate due to their expertise and experience, while implementers allow you to delegate tasks and free up your time.

In many cases, hiring someone who can handle both strategy and execution can be a game-changer. Some business owners prefer to work with someone who can create the plan and then take care of executing it, ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

If you’re not sure where to start or which type of support you need, I’d love to help. Let’s chat about your goals and figure out the best solution to move your business forward.

Should I Hire Both?