Still not sure who to hire first? Start here.
If you’re feeling the weight of everything (admin, marketing, invoices, client comms) but don’t know exactly what kind of help to ask for, you’re not alone. Most small business owners hit this wall.
The good news is you don’t need to figure it all out before getting help. In fact, the best first step is hiring a generalist virtual assistant.
What’s a Generalist?
A generalist VA is someone who can pitch in across a range of tasks. Think of them as your all-rounder: inbox management, chasing overdue invoices, booking appointments, uploading social media content, and even tidying up your backend systems.
They’re not deeply specialised in one area but they are highly skilled in managing the day-to-day stuff that’s slowing you down.
And that’s exactly why they’re perfect for early-stage outsourcing.
Why Generalists Make the Smartest First Hire
When you're just starting to delegate, you often don’t have clear processes, perfect systems, or even a clear idea of what role you need filled.
A generalist meets you where you are.
They’re flexible, quick to onboard, and able to start light, then take on more as your confidence grows. If you try to jump straight into hiring a specialist (say, a bookkeeper or marketing manager), you’ll usually need to spend time prepping, documenting, and getting your business into shape first.
But a generalist? They do the prep. They are the tidy-up team.
They clean the slate while giving you space to grow.
It’s Cost-Effective and Way Less Stressful
Hiring three specialists to do a bit of everything is expensive and time-intensive. You're also left trying to juggle different people, processes, and expectations.
One generalist VA can do the lot - streamlining your support without blowing your budget.
And if you’re working with an agency like Strictly Savvy, they can scale with you. That same generalist might handle your admin now, but when you're ready for deeper expertise, the agency can bring in a bookkeeper, designer, or marketer as needed.
No need to start from scratch each time.
When to Bring in a Specialist
There is a time for specialists - once your generalist has helped you build some foundations.
Here are your cues:
You’ve outgrown what a generalist can offer in one area
You have clean systems and processes ready for someone to take over
You know exactly what you need and want an expert to own it
The generalist helps you get clear (and gets things tidy) so your investment in a specialist pays off fast.
Start Simple.
You don’t need a 12-month hiring plan or a team of experts to get your evenings back. You just need someone who can step in and take a few things off your plate, today.
If you’re overwhelmed, unclear, or stuck at that “I know I need help, but…” stage, a generalist VA is the best first move.
They won’t just support your business. They’ll help you figure out what comes next.
Need help figuring out where to start?
Book a free chat with us. We’ll help you work out what kind of support makes sense for your business, and make getting started feel easy.
