What Tasks Should You Delegate First?
- zack80707
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
Running a business comes with a never-ending list of responsibilities, making it easy to get caught up in the daily grind. You may find yourself spending hours on tasks that, while necessary, pull you away from big-picture growth. The key to working smarter, not harder, is delegation.
Knowing what to hand off first can make all the difference. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, focus on the tasks that consume the most time but don’t require your expertise. Here’s a breakdown of the best places to start when delegating to a virtual assistant or team member.
1. Repetitive and Time-Consuming Tasks
There are only so many hours in a day, and spending them on tasks that don’t require your expertise is a fast track to burnout. The first things to delegate are the repetitive tasks that eat up your time, such as:
Email management – Sorting, responding to basic inquiries, and filtering important messages.
Data entry – Updating spreadsheets, CRM records, and tracking information.
Appointment scheduling – Coordinating meetings, setting reminders, and confirming client calls.
Invoicing and payment follow-ups – Generating invoices, tracking payments, and sending reminders.
2. Administrative Work That Distracts You From Growth
If your day is filled with administrative duties, you’re not focusing on revenue-generating activities. A virtual assistant can handle:
Document organization
Travel arrangements
Client onboarding paperwork
Research tasks
3. Social Media Management
You know the importance of an online presence, but let’s be honest—it can be overwhelming. A social media VA can:
Schedule and post content
Engage with comments and messages
Research trends and hashtags
Track analytics
This allows you to stay visible without getting sucked into hours of scrolling.
4. Customer Support and Follow-Ups
Excellent customer service builds loyalty, but responding to every inquiry yourself isn’t sustainable. A VA can handle:
Answering frequently asked questions
Processing basic support requests
Following up with leads and past clients
This keeps your customers happy while you focus on delivering top-notch services.
5. Content Creation and Marketing Support
Creating blogs, newsletters, and marketing materials takes time. If content is key to your business, but you’re struggling to keep up, delegate:
Blog writing and editing
Email marketing campaigns
Graphic design for social media posts
Website updates and maintenance
6. Personal Errands That Free Up Your Mental Space
Delegation doesn’t always have to be business-related. Sometimes, handing off personal tasks can help you reclaim your energy. Consider outsourcing:
Online shopping and gift purchasing
Booking doctor appointments
Household management tasks (if applicable)
Start Small, But Start Now
The biggest hurdle to delegation is the belief that it’s faster if I just do it myself. While that may be true in the short term, it’s not a sustainable way to grow your business. Start by handing off one or two tasks, provide clear instructions, and allow your VA to prove their value.
Delegation is a skill, and like any skill, it gets easier with practice. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll free up your time to focus on what you do best—leading and growing your business.
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