132 Tasks for a Virtual Assistant: What to Outsource First

If you are overwhelmed, busy, or stuck doing low-value work, a virtual assistant can help.

This guide breaks down the most common and high-impact tasks for a virtual assistant, organized by category. You will learn what tasks to delegate first, what a VA can realistically handle, what not to outsource, and how to hire the right virtual assistant for your needs.

If you’re ready to hire a virtual assistant instead of just reading about it, you can hire a Filipino virtual assistant directly through RemoteWork.ph.

What Are Tasks for a Virtual Assistant?

Tasks for a virtual assistant are the day-to-day responsibilities that can be handled remotely to support a business, team, or individual. These tasks range from basic administrative work to customer support, marketing assistance, sales support, research, and even light technical work.

A virtual assistant, often called a VA, works remotely and focuses on execution. Instead of hiring a full-time employee for every role, businesses delegate specific tasks to a virtual assistant so they can focus on higher-level work.

The key idea is simple. If a task does not require you personally, it is likely something a virtual assistant can handle.

Check out our complete guide on hiring a virtual assistant in the Philippines without an agency.

Why Businesses Use Virtual Assistants to Handle These Tasks

Hiring a virtual assistant is not just about saving time. It is about using your time better.

Focus on High-Value Work

Most founders and business owners spend too much time in their inbox, calendar, or spreadsheets. Delegating common virtual assistant tasks frees up mental space so you can focus on growth, strategy, and decisions that actually move the business forward.

Reduce Costs Without Hiring Full-Time

Virtual assistants are flexible. You can hire part-time, full-time, or task-based support without the overhead of a traditional hire. This is especially helpful for small businesses and startups.

Scale Faster With Flexible Support

As your workload grows, so do your tasks. A virtual assistant allows you to scale support without committing to a full internal team too early.

Access Specialized Skills

Many virtual assistants specialize in areas like customer support, marketing, admin work, or tech support. You get help from someone who already knows the tools and workflows.

The Best Tasks to Delegate to a Virtual Assistant First

If you are new to hiring a VA, start small. The goal is quick wins.

If You Are a Solo Founder or Freelancer

These are usually the easiest and safest tasks to delegate first:

• Email management and inbox cleanup
• Calendar scheduling
• Online research
• Data entry
• Travel planning

If You Are Running a Small Team

Once you trust your VA, you can expand their responsibilities:

• Customer support
• CRM updates
• Invoicing support
• Recruitment coordination
• Reporting and documentation

If You Are Scaling a Business

At this stage, a virtual assistant becomes part of your operations:

• Lead generation
• Sales support
• Marketing coordination
• Website updates
• Process documentation

Administrative Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

Administrative work is the most common category of tasks for a virtual assistant. These tasks keep your business organized and running smoothly.

• Email management and inbox organization
• Calendar scheduling and meeting coordination
• Document formatting and file management
• Data entry and spreadsheet updates
• Expense tracking and receipt organization
• Report preparation
• Task and project tracking
• CRM data updates
• Internal documentation and SOP creation
• Creating meeting agendas and summaries
• Managing shared drives and folder structures
• Updating contact lists
• Preparing presentations or slide decks
• Following up on internal action items
• Basic proofreading of internal documents

Customer Service Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant can act as the first line of communication between your business and your customers.

• Email and ticket support
• Live chat management
• Responding to customer inquiries
• CRM ticket updates
• FAQ management
• Order tracking and status updates
• Refund and escalation coordination
• Customer feedback collection
• Responding to social media messages
• Managing support inboxes
• Tagging and categorizing support tickets
• Creating customer service reports

Social Media Management Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

Social media requires consistency more than creativity. That makes it a great fit for a VA.

• Content scheduling
• Caption writing
• Comment and message moderation
• Community engagement
• Hashtag research
• Social media analytics reporting
• Influencer outreach coordination
• Profile optimization across platforms
• Monitoring brand mentions
• Managing content calendars
• Responding to basic comments and questions
• Collecting user-generated content

Marketing Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant can support your marketing efforts without running the entire strategy.

• Email marketing setup and scheduling
• Lead list building
• Competitor research
• Content publishing coordination
• Campaign tracking
• Basic graphic design coordination
• Marketing analytics reporting
• Affiliate and partnership outreach
• Formatting blog posts for publishing
• Uploading and organizing marketing assets
• Managing email subscriber lists
• Updating marketing documentation

Sales Support Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

Sales support tasks help your revenue team stay focused on closing.

• Lead qualification
• CRM management
• Sales call scheduling
• Follow-up email coordination
• Proposal and quote preparation
• Pipeline tracking
• Data enrichment
• Updating deal stages in CRM
• Managing sales inboxes
• Creating sales reports
• Preparing outreach lists
• Logging sales activity notes

Recruitment and HR Support Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

Hiring and people operations involve many repeatable steps that a VA can handle.

• Job posting management
• Resume screening
• Interview scheduling
• Candidate communication
• Applicant tracking system updates
• Onboarding documentation
• Training coordination
• Reference check coordination
• Updating employee records
• Sending offer letters and contracts
• Collecting onboarding paperwork

Data Entry and Research Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

These tasks are time-consuming but critical for decision-making.

• Market research
• Product research
• Competitor analysis
• Data cleaning and validation
• Survey data processing
• Contact list building
• Online research projects
• Collecting pricing information
• Researching tools and software
• Summarizing research findings
• Updating databases

Website and Technical Support Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

While advanced development should stay with specialists, many website tasks are VA-friendly.

• Website content updates
• CMS management
• Plugin and theme updates
• Website performance monitoring
• Basic troubleshooting
• Backup management
• Analytics setup and reporting
• Uploading blog posts
• Updating website images
• Checking broken links
• Managing contact forms

SEO Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

Many virtual assistants specialize in SEO support, especially when it comes to execution and ongoing maintenance. While strategy is usually handled by business owners or SEO leads, a virtual assistant can manage many of the time-consuming tasks that keep SEO efforts moving forward.

Common SEO tasks for a virtual assistant include:

• Keyword research support
• Updating on-page SEO elements like titles and meta descriptions
• Formatting blog posts for SEO
• Internal linking updates
• Uploading and optimizing blog content in a CMS
• Image optimization and alt text updates
• Monitoring search rankings
• Tracking SEO performance in tools like Google Search Console
• Identifying broken links
• Competitor SEO research
• Local SEO listing updates
• SEO reporting and documentation

f you’re looking for deeper SEO support beyond task execution, this guide on hiring an SEO expert in the Philippines explains when it makes sense to bring in a specialist.

eCommerce and Operations Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

For online stores and product businesses, virtual assistants can handle many operational tasks.

• Product listing management
• Inventory tracking
• Order processing
• Customer review moderation
• Pricing updates
• Vendor coordination
• Returns and refund coordination
• Updating product descriptions
• Managing product images
• Monitoring out-of-stock items
• Coordinating shipping updates
• Responding to order-related inquiries

Personal and Executive Assistant Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are not only for businesses. Many executives use VAs for personal support.

• Travel booking and itinerary planning
• Personal calendar management
• Appointment scheduling
• Email correspondence
• Online purchasing assistance
• Personal research and errands
• Managing reminders and follow-ups
• Booking reservations
• Coordinating personal events
• Managing personal documents
• Tracking subscriptions and renewals
• Organizing personal inboxes

Tasks You Should Not Delegate to a Virtual Assistant

Not everything should be outsourced. These tasks should stay with you or senior leadership.

• Final business strategy decisions
• Legal and compliance decisions
• Sensitive financial approvals
• High-level negotiations

A virtual assistant supports decision-makers. They should not replace them.

What Skills to Look for When Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Different tasks require different skill sets.

Administrative and Executive Support Skills

Look for organization, attention to detail, communication skills, and experience with tools like Google Workspace or project management software.

Marketing and Creative Skills

Look for familiarity with social platforms, email tools, basic design tools, and content coordination.

Technical and Website Skills

Look for CMS experience, basic troubleshooting ability, and comfort working with analytics tools.

How Much Does It Cost to Outsource Tasks for a Virtual Assistant?

The cost of outsourcing tasks for a virtual assistant depends on a few key factors, including location, experience level, and the type of work being done.

Rates are not one-size-fits-all. A junior virtual assistant handling basic administrative or data entry tasks will typically cost less than a senior virtual assistant managing customer support teams, marketing workflows, or sales operations. Job title and experience matter just as much as the task itself.

Many businesses choose Filipino virtual assistants because they offer a strong balance of communication skills, reliability, and affordability. For basic tasks, rates can start at a few dollars per hour, while more specialized or senior roles command higher pay.

If you want a full breakdown by role, experience level, and task type, this complete guide to virtual assistant rates in the Philippines explains what to expect and how to budget properly.

At the end of the day, the goal is not to find the cheapest option. It’s to find the right person who can reliably handle the tasks you want to outsource.

How to Hire the Right Virtual Assistant for These Tasks

Hiring the right virtual assistant is much easier when you focus on tasks first, not titles. Once you know what you want to outsource, the rest of the process becomes far more straightforward.

This approach helps you avoid overhiring, underhiring, or choosing someone who is not a good fit for the work.

Start With the Tasks, Not the Job Title

Before you post a job or browse profiles, write down the exact tasks for a virtual assistant you want help with. Be specific and practical.

For example, instead of saying you need a “general VA,” list responsibilities like inbox management, customer support replies, CRM updates, or research. This clarity makes it easier to identify candidates who already have experience with the work you need done.

Clear tasks also reduce training time and set better expectations from day one.

Match the Task Complexity to the Right Experience Level

Not all tasks require the same level of experience.

Junior virtual assistants are often a great fit for structured, repeatable work like data entry, scheduling, or basic admin support. More complex responsibilities, such as customer support management, marketing coordination, or sales support, usually benefit from a more experienced virtual assistant.

Matching task difficulty to experience level helps control costs while still getting reliable results.

Choose a Hiring Platform Built for Direct, Long-Term Work

Where you hire matters just as much as who you hire.

RemoteWork.ph allows you to hire Filipino virtual assistants directly, without agency markups or middlemen. You can communicate directly with candidates, review their experience, and build long-term working relationships instead of constantly rehiring for short-term gigs.

This setup works especially well when you are outsourcing ongoing tasks rather than one-off projects.

Set Up Payment the Right Way From the Start

Once you have chosen the right virtual assistant, the final step is setting up a clear and fair payment process.

This guide on how to pay your virtual assistant in the Philippines explains common payment methods, schedules, and best practices so both sides know what to expect. Getting this right early helps build trust and avoids issues later.

Focus on Clarity and Communication

Successful outsourcing is less about perfection and more about communication.

Clear instructions, documented tasks, and regular check-ins go a long way in making sure your virtual assistant succeeds. When expectations are clear, tasks get done faster and with fewer revisions.

Why RemoteWork.ph Is the Best Place to Hire a Virtual Assistant for These Tasks

Once you know which tasks for a virtual assistant you want to outsource, the next step is finding the right person to do them. This is where many businesses get stuck.

Agencies are expensive. Freelance platforms can feel crowded and unpredictable. And hiring blindly often leads to mismatches.

RemoteWork.ph was built to solve exactly this problem.

Hire Virtual Assistants Directly, Without Middlemen

RemoteWork.ph lets you hire virtual assistants directly, without agency markups, commissions, or salary skimming. You work one-on-one with your virtual assistant and pay them directly, which keeps costs lower and relationships simpler.

This matters, especially when you are outsourcing long-term tasks like admin support, customer service, marketing assistance, or sales support.

Access Skilled Filipino Virtual Assistants

The Philippines is one of the strongest talent pools for virtual assistants. Filipino VAs are known for strong English communication, reliability, and experience supporting international businesses.

On RemoteWork.ph, you can browse active, updated profiles of Filipino virtual assistants who already specialize in many of the tasks listed in this guide. That means less training and faster results.

Built for Long-Term Hires, Not One-Off Gigs

Many platforms are designed for short-term gigs. RemoteWork.ph is designed for long-term working relationships.

If you are looking to outsource ongoing tasks for a virtual assistant, such as inbox management, customer support, CRM updates, or marketing coordination, hiring someone long-term usually delivers better results and more consistency.

Clear Pricing and No Hidden Fees

You do not pay commissions on salaries. You do not pay per hire. And you are not locked into contracts.

You choose who to hire, how much to pay, and how you work together.

A Better Experience for Both Employers and Virtual Assistants

When virtual assistants keep 100% of their pay, they are more motivated and more likely to stay long term. That stability benefits both sides.

RemoteWork.ph is built to support fair, direct hiring, which leads to better matches and better outcomes.

If you are ready to outsource the tasks listed in this guide, RemoteWork.ph makes it easy to find and hire the right virtual assistant without unnecessary complexity.

FAQs About Tasks for a Virtual Assistant

What tasks should I give a virtual assistant first?

Start with repetitive, low-risk tasks like email management, scheduling, and data entry.

Can one virtual assistant handle multiple roles?

Yes, many virtual assistants are generalists. Just be clear about priorities and workload.

Are virtual assistants full-time or part-time?

Both. You can hire hourly, part-time, or full-time depending on your needs.

How do I know which tasks to outsource?

If a task is repeatable, documented, and does not require your personal judgment, it is a good candidate.

Key Takeaways

• Tasks for a virtual assistant cover admin, customer support, marketing, sales, research, and more
• Start by delegating simple tasks and expand over time
• A well-matched virtual assistant can save time, reduce stress, and help your business grow
• Focus on clarity, not volume, when assigning tasks
• Hiring the right VA is about fit, not just cost

If you delegate the right tasks, a virtual assistant does not just help you work less. They help you work better.