What if your entire life changed in an instant?
Imagine being hit head-on by a van at 70 mph—suddenly unable to work, watching everything you built slip away. No income. Forced to sell everything just to get by.
This is exactly what happened to one of my subscribers.
Let’s call her Ruth (I changed her name for privacy).
She had a successful career and a stable life—until one moment of tragedy left her with severe injuries, memory problems, and constant pain. Surgeries piled up, and with no way to work, she lost nearly everything.
But losing her career? That was the hardest part.
Despite everything, Ruth refuses to give up. She’s determined to rebuild, to create a new future for herself.
She’s exploring blogging and affiliate marketing as a way to fund her business ideas. But there’s a challenge—she’s not tech-savvy, she’s overwhelmed, and she needs help to make this work.
And she’s not alone.
Many aspiring affiliate marketers struggle with time management, tech barriers, and the pressure of doing everything alone—which often leads to burnout and slow progress.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to do it all yourself.
The solution? Delegation & Virtual Assistants (VAs). 😊
The Reality of Affiliate Marketing: It’s More Than Just Posting Links
Many beginners think affiliate marketing is passive, but it requires:
- Website creation & management
- Content creation (blogs, social media, emails)
- Marketing & engagement (social media, SEO, ads)
- Tech & admin work
One of the biggest mistakes new affiliate marketers make is trying to do everything themselves. They wear too many hats—content creator, website designer, social media manager, email marketer, and tech troubleshooter—all while juggling a job and personal life (sounds like someone I know…🤔). This leads to burnout, slow progress, and frustration.
The key to success? Focusing on income-producing activities and outsourcing everything else. OK, do what I tell you to do, not what I do. 🙄
As you may know, success has many keys so if you lose one, don’t worry, you can use another one. Just ask me. 😁
What Are Income-Producing Activities?
These are the tasks that directly contribute to making money in your business. In affiliate marketing, that means:
✅ Creating valuable content (blog posts, emails, videos, social media posts)
✅ Building and nurturing your email list (email marketing is where the money is)
✅ Driving traffic (SEO, paid ads, social media engagement)
✅ Making offers and promoting products (affiliate promotions, bonuses, exclusive deals)
✅ Engaging with your audience (answering questions, building relationships)
These tasks directly impact your income, and your focus should be on them as much as possible.
NOTE: I’ve learned also to distribute these tasks inside 4 core areas of focus: Generate Traffic, Lead Capture, Follow-Up, and Make Offers. Read my post here for more details.
Why Delegation Boosts Your Success
Delegation boosts your success because it:
- Frees up your time for what actually grows your business.
- Eliminates tech overwhelm—you don’t need to be an expert at everything.
- Accelerates your progress—instead of spending weeks learning to build a website, have a pro do it in a day.
- Reduces stress and burnout—because running an online business should give you freedom, not frustration.
By focusing on income-generating activities and outsourcing the rest, you work smarter, not harder.
What Tasks Should You Delegate?
Everything that doesn’t require your personal touch and slows you down:
✅ Website & Tech:
- Setting up a WordPress website;
- Managing plugins, security, and updates;
- Landing page creation;
I did my website entirely by myself and believe me, I’m still maintaining and working on it. This was a big learning activity when I started and I would have saved a lot of time by delegating this task to a knowledgeable person and my website would have looked more professional. This was nevertheless a good skill to develop because, as a blogger, I find it helpful now to be able to handle little things here and there like doing maintenance without having to delegate every time.
✅ Content Management:
- Formatting and posting blog articles; in my case I prefer to keep the control on this for now
- Editing and scheduling social media posts
- Repurposing content for different platforms; a nice to have
✅ Marketing & Engagement:
- Social media management (posting, responding, engagement); if someone could do that for me on social medias, well, this would help so much!😀
- Email marketing setup (writing & scheduling emails); this also is under my control, it is fine like this for now as this is a skill I want to develop.
- Researching new affiliate products; my online community friends give me good ideas actually😁. Take examples from the genuine experience of others!
✅ Admin Tasks (for more advanced marketers):
- Managing schedules, appointments, and outreach;
- Responding to customer inquiries
Tip: Do what you can afford to do, or what your budget and time allows you to do. In a best scenario, try only to focus on what moves the needle in your business. Outsource everything else!
How to Find a Reputable & Affordable Virtual Assistant
Now that you understand the power of delegation, the next step is finding the right Virtual Assistant (VA) for your needs. But with so many platforms, agencies, and referral options out there, where do you start?
Here’s a breakdown of three main ways to find and hire a reputable, budget-friendly VA—and what makes each option unique.
1. VA Platforms – The Do-It-Yourself Approach
Best for: Those who want full control over hiring, prefer to browse multiple candidates, and have a limited budget.
Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and OnlineJobs.ph allow you to search for VAs, compare prices, read reviews, and negotiate directly with freelancers.
🔹 Fiverr – Best for one-off tasks or small projects (e.g., logo design, social media graphics, video editing).
🔹 Upwork – Ideal for longer-term VA work and specialized skills like blog management or email marketing.
🔹 OnlineJobs.ph – Focuses on highly skilled and affordable VAs from the Philippines, where rates are lower than in Western countries.
Why choose a platform?
- You set the budget and terms.
- A wide range of freelancers with different skill levels and prices.
- No middleman fees from an agency.
Downsides:
- Requires more time to vet candidates.
- You handle hiring, contracts, and payments.
2. VA Agencies – Hands-Off, Professional Matching
Best for: Business owners who want a pre-vetted VA with less hassle.
If you don’t want to spend hours searching for the perfect VA, VA agencies like Virtual Staff Finder, The Virtual Hub, and Belay Solutions offer pre-screened assistants who match your needs.
🔹 Virtual Staff Finder – Specializes in long-term, full-time Filipino VAs with a strong work ethic.
🔹 The Virtual Hub – Focuses on marketing and administrative support, great for affiliate marketers.
🔹 Belay Solutions – Based in the U.S., providing highly professional VAs (but at a higher price point).
I want also to give a special mention to a business I recently discovered—CEO Sidekicks, a small but mighty virtual assistant agency that’s doing some really great work.
Their whole mission? Helping entrepreneurs like you stop being the business, and start owning it. They do this by matching you with skilled VAs who can take care of the tasks that slow you down—so you can focus on growing your business, not getting buried in it.
What I really love about them is their heart. They’re super active on social media, always sharing helpful tips on delegation, systems, and business growth—and they’re deeply committed to supporting the Filipino community, which is where many of their amazing VAs come from. You can tell they care.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to do everything yourself, or you’ve wished you could just clone yourself, this might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Check them out, learn more, and if it feels right, book a discovery call with their team.
Why choose an agency?
- Saves time—they do the vetting, training, and onboarding for you.
- Higher reliability—VAs are usually under contract with the agency.
- Some agencies provide ongoing support and replacement guarantees if a VA doesn’t work out.
Downsides:
- Higher cost than hiring directly.
- Less flexibility—some agencies require a minimum commitment (e.g., 10 hours per week).
3. Referrals & Networking – Trust-Based Hiring
Best for: Those who want a VA with a proven track record and reliable recommendations.
Sometimes the best way to find a VA is simply by asking your network! Many entrepreneurs already work with VAs and can recommend someone who’s trustworthy and skilled.
Where to find referrals?
- Facebook groups for entrepreneurs, bloggers, and affiliate marketers.
- Mastermind groups or paid memberships like Dean Holland’s community.
- Asking fellow marketers—if they have a great VA, they might know someone else who’s available.
Why choose a referral?
- Less risk—someone you trust has already worked with the VA.
- Faster hiring—you skip the long vetting process.
- Stronger relationship—a recommended VA is often more invested in keeping a good reputation.
Downsides:
- Limited availability—good VAs get booked fast.
- May not be the perfect skill match for your exact needs.
Choosing What’s Best for You
- On a tight budget? Try Fiverr, OnlineJobs.ph, or Upwork.
- Want a hassle-free experience? Go with an agency like Virtual Staff Finder or CEO-Sidekicks.
- Prefer someone already trusted? Ask for referrals in entrepreneur communities.
By choosing the right method, you’ll find a skilled and affordable VA who can help take your business to the next level! 🚀
How to Work with a VA Effectively
Finding the right Virtual Assistant (VA) is only the first step—ensuring a smooth working relationship is just as important. Delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks; it’s about creating a system where your VA can work efficiently without constant oversight. Here’s how to set your VA (and yourself) up for success.
1. Clearly Define Tasks & Expectations
VAs thrive on clear instructions. Before assigning a task, ask yourself:
- What exact outcome do I expect?
- What tools or access will they need?
- Are there any deadlines or quality standards?
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google Docs or Notion to create simple, step-by-step task guides. This helps ensure consistency and reduces back-and-forth questions.
2. Use the Right Communication & Task Management Tools
Good communication is key when working remotely. Instead of endless emails, use organized tools to streamline work.
🔹 Project Management: Trello, Asana, or ClickUp → Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.
🔹 Real-Time Chat: Slack or WhatsApp → Quick updates and team discussions.
🔹 File Sharing & Docs: Google Drive or Dropbox → Store shared content and files.
🔹 Video Instructions: Loom → Record short explainer videos to show your VA exactly what to do.
💡 Why This Matters? Without clear communication, tasks can get misinterpreted, leading to delays and mistakes. Using tools keeps everything structured and accessible.
3. Start Small & Build Trust
Don’t overwhelm your VA by dumping a huge workload on them right away. Instead:
✅ Start with small, simple tasks.
✅ Gradually increase responsibilities as they prove their reliability.
✅ Provide constructive feedback early on to correct mistakes and fine-tune their work.
💡 Example: If you’re hiring a VA to manage your blog, start with content formatting before moving on to SEO optimization or full post creation.
4. Set Up Recurring Check-Ins
Regular check-ins help keep both you and your VA aligned. Depending on your workflow, you can:
📅 Have a weekly Zoom call for planning and updates.
📅 Send a quick daily check-in via Slack or email.
📅 Use a shared progress tracker in Trello or Google Sheets.
💡 Why? Consistent check-ins prevent miscommunication, ensure productivity, and help your VA feel supported.
5. Provide Feedback & Recognize Good Work
Your VA is more than just a worker—they’re an important part of your business. Positive reinforcement boosts motivation and long-term commitment.
✅ Praise good work: A simple “Great job on this task!” goes a long way.
✅ Offer constructive feedback when needed, but keep it positive.
✅ Ask for their input—VAs often have valuable insights and suggestions.
💡 Remember: A happy VA is a productive VA!
6. Be Flexible & Respect Time Zones
Many VAs work remotely from different countries. Be mindful of:
⏰ Time differences—Set deadlines accordingly.
🌍 Cultural differences—Be patient with communication styles.
💰 Fair pay—VAs depend on this income, so ensure timely payments.
💡 Tip: If your VA is in a different time zone, use scheduled emails/posts so they can work while you sleep!
A Strong VA Relationship = More Freedom for You!
By taking the time to set up clear systems, communication, and trust, you’ll create a smooth, productive working relationship. Delegating effectively lets you focus on business growth, while your VA handles the tasks that slow you down.
Invest in your VA’s success, and they’ll help you achieve your own success in return! 🚀
Focus on What Matters & Grow Faster
Ruth’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to do everything yourself. The best affiliate marketers focus on growth, not busywork.
By outsourcing and delegating, you can free up time to focus on income-producing activities.
Are you ready to free up your time and scale faster? Click on my new banner below and start exploring VA options today!
Also, if not done yet, let’s stay in touch and subscribe to my newsletter. Always with your best interests at heart, I search the best products and services in the “make money online” niche to help you put money back in your pocket.
Speak soon,
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