Once you have decided to bring on a virtual assistant, the next question is how much. Full-time, part-time, or project-based each fit different situations, and choosing well saves money and frustration.
Part-time: the common starting point
For most founders, part-time support is the right first step. You hand off a defined set of recurring tasks, a handful of hours a week, and scale up as you build trust and find more to delegate. It is low-risk and matched to real, current need.
Full-time: when the work is constant
When you consistently have enough work to fill someone’s week, and especially when you want deep familiarity with your business, full-time support makes sense. It gives you a dedicated partner who holds context and grows with the role.
Project-based: for defined, finite work
Sometimes you do not need ongoing help, you need a specific thing done: a data cleanup, a migration, a launch. Project-based engagements fit work with a clear beginning and end, without an ongoing commitment.
Start where the work actually is
The mistake is choosing based on ambition rather than reality. Match the engagement to the work you genuinely have right now. You can always expand, and starting right-sized makes the relationship productive from day one.