Business coaches spend too much time on admin tasks. They should be coaching instead. A good virtual assistant handles the busy work. This frees you to focus on clients and grow your revenue.
This guide shows you how to hire and work with a VA. You will learn what tasks to give them. You will see what it costs. And you will know when to expect results.
Key Takeaways
- VAs free up 20 to 30 hours each week for coaches
- Most coaches see ROI in 4 to 6 months
- A 90 day plan helps you bring on a VA the right way
- Start with email, calendar, and client onboarding
- Entry level VAs cost $15 to $25 per hour
Last Updated: January 8, 2026
Table of Contents
The Role of VAs in Business Coaching
A virtual assistant for business coaches is a remote helper. They handle admin, marketing, and client support. VAs free up 20 to 30 hours each week. This lets you focus on coaching and programs.
The ICF says coaching keeps growing fast. Coaches who use VAs see big gains in time and money. Most get positive ROI in the first year.
Time Without VA Support
Where Does Your Time Go Now?
Most coaches split their time like this:
- Admin tasks: 25%
- Marketing and content: 20%
- Sales work: 15%
- Business planning: 10%
- Client coaching: 30%
The Problem: Only 30% of time makes you money. The rest is busy work. VA support for coaching changes this a lot.
Think about it. If you work 50 hours a week, only 15 of those hours bring in cash. The other 35 hours are spent on tasks anyone could do. That is a big waste of your skills.
Learn more about time management for coaches.
What Clients Want Today
Harvard Business Review research shows clients expect a lot. They want:
- Replies within 24 hours
- Pro messages every time
- Smooth scheduling
- Progress tracking
- Clear records of results
This is hard to do alone. VAs help you meet these standards. They use good systems and client management tools.
Core Admin Tasks
Client Management
Database Work:
- Keep client info neat and current
- Update contact records
- Track all messages sent and received
- Note progress and key milestones
This work is not hard. But it takes time. A VA can do it in the background.
Scheduling:
- Manage calendars on many platforms (see our scheduling guide)
- Book and confirm sessions
- Handle reschedules and cancels
- Deal with time zones
Scheduling alone can eat up 5 hours a week. A VA with good tools cuts this to near zero for you.
Messages:
- Filter and sort emails by priority
- Reply to routine questions
- Run follow up sequences
- Send client notices and reminders
Email is a time sink. Most coaches check it too often. A VA can handle the bulk of it. You only see what needs your input.
Good client care through VA support helps you keep clients longer. See our client retention tips.
Marketing Support
Content Work
Creating content takes steady effort. VAs can handle much of it:
- Research topics your audience cares about
- Plan content calendars
- Write first drafts for you to review
- Prepare images and graphics
- Post across platforms
- Track what performs best
Steady content leads to more website visits. More visits mean more leads. More leads mean more clients.
See our guide on coaching automation for more ways to save time.
Digital Marketing
VAs help with many channels:
- Social media posts and replies
- Email campaign setup and sending
- Website updates and fixes
- SEO work like keywords and links
- Online review management
- Marketing reports
You do not need to be on social media all day. A VA can handle the posting. You just need to check in and engage when it matters.
Sales Support
Lead Management:
- Reply to first inquiries fast
- Schedule discovery calls
- Follow up with prospects who went quiet
- Track where each lead stands
Speed matters with leads. The faster you reply, the more likely they buy. A VA helps you respond in hours, not days.
Sales Admin:
- Create proposals and contracts
- Set up payments
- Send invoices on time
- Track revenue and pipeline
Good sales support means more clients convert. It comes from steady follow up and pro presentation. For more ideas, read our guide on scaling with VA support.
Cost and ROI
Service Types and Prices
What You Can Expect to Pay:
| Service Type | Rate Per Hour | Monthly (20 hrs/week) | What They Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Admin | $15-25 | $1,200-2,000 | Basic admin, scheduling, email |
| Coaching Specialist | $35-55 | $2,800-4,400 | Industry support, client work |
| Marketing Expert | $30-45 | $2,400-3,600 | Content, digital marketing |
| Tech Expert | $40-60 | $3,200-4,800 | Platforms, automation |
The right choice depends on your needs. Start basic. Add skills as you grow.
ROI Timeline
Direct Revenue Impact:
- More hours for paid coaching
- Better conversion from leads
- Clients stay longer
When You See Returns:
- Month 1-2: Training and setup time
- Month 3-4: You start to see gains
- Month 5-6: You break even or better
- Month 7+: Returns keep growing
Most coaches see positive ROI within a year. Some see it much sooner. The key is picking the right tasks to hand off first.
For automation strategies, see our guide. Learn about lead generation with VAs and ROI numbers.
How to Start
What to Look For
Experience Matters:
- Past work in coaching or consulting
- Knows industry terms
- Familiar with platforms you use
- Understands privacy needs
Tech Skills:
- Knows relevant platforms (see our tools guide)
- Good with communication tools
- Can solve tech problems
- Willing to learn new things
Communication:
- Writes clear messages
- Professional with clients
- Responds fast
- Fits your culture
Your 90 Day Plan
McKinsey research shows step by step works best. Our delegation guide has more:
Phase 1: Foundation (Days 1-30)
- Give system access and train on tools
- Set up how you will communicate
- Review process documents
- Assign first tasks and watch closely
This is the learning phase. Expect some mistakes. Give clear feedback.
Phase 2: Expansion (Days 31-60)
- Add more tasks
- Let them talk to clients directly
- Find ways to improve processes
- Set performance goals
By now they should know your style. Trust grows. Tasks increase.
Phase 3: Full Speed (Days 61-90)
- They own their tasks fully
- Refine processes together
- Review performance
- Plan for the long term
After 90 days, things should run smooth. You focus on coaching. They handle the rest.
Common Issues
Setup Challenges
Communication Gaps:
- Problem: You expect one thing, they do another
- Solution: Write down processes. Check in often.
- Prevention: Be very clear from day one
Quality Varies:
- Problem: Output is not consistent at first
- Solution: Give feedback fast. Set standards.
- Prevention: Good training and examples (see systems guide)
Tech Issues:
- Problem: They do not know your platforms
- Solution: Give structured training and support
- Prevention: Test tech skills before you hire
How to Measure Success
Track These Numbers:
- Tasks done on time
- How often errors happen
- How fast they respond
- Ideas to improve things
Business Impact:
- Hours you now spend coaching
- Client satisfaction scores
- Revenue per hour of your time
- Practice growth rate
For more metrics, see our executive coaching tools guide.
FAQ
How much does a VA for coaches cost?
Entry level VAs cost $15 to $25 per hour for basic admin. Coaching specialists cost $35 to $55 per hour. Experts run $40 to $60 per hour. Most coaches spend $2,000 to $4,000 each month for 20 to 30 hours of help. Think about value, not just cost.
What is the difference between a VA and an OBM?
VAs do specific tasks. They handle scheduling, email, and content. They work 15 to 30 hours a week. They cost $2,000 to $4,000 a month.
OBMs are strategic partners. They run operations. They manage other VAs. They cost $4,000 to $8,000+ a month. Get an OBM when you pass $200K per year.
What tasks should I hand off first?
Start with email management. Then add calendar and scheduling. Next comes client onboarding. These are high volume and easy to teach. Once those run well, add marketing and sales support.
When will I see ROI?
Setup takes 30 to 60 days. You see gains in months 2 and 3. You likely break even in months 4 to 6. After that, returns grow. The more you delegate, the more you can coach.
What should I look for when hiring?
Look for 2+ years in coaching or consulting. They should know platforms like CoachAccountable or Paperbell. They need to write well and speak professionally. They must understand client privacy and coaching ethics.
Conclusion
VA support helps coaches grow. When you delegate well, you gain time. You earn more. You feel more balanced.
Success takes good hiring. It takes step by step training. It takes clear communication. And it takes ongoing tuning.
Coaches who use VAs well pull ahead. They serve more clients. They stress less. They build bigger practices.
Ready to Scale Your Practice?
Coaches who delegate to VAs see real gains.
Your Next Steps:
- Track how you spend time this week
- Pick your top tasks to hand off
- Find a qualified VA to hire
- Use a 90 day plan to bring them on
Published by the Business Coach VAs Team.
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