The online business world is flooded with Virtual Assistants (VAs), Social Media Managers (SMMs), and Online Business Managers (OBMs). If you blink too long, another one pops up on your Instagram feed, promising to help you streamline your business or take tasks off your plate. But let’s be real—why is it that so many business owners still feel like their virtual assistant isn’t working out? Why are they constantly saying their hires “weren’t a good fit” or “didn’t take initiative”? And on the flip side, why are so many freelancers struggling to keep high-quality clients, raise their rates, and actually build sustainable businesses?
Because both sides are doing it wrong.
If your virtual assistant isn’t working out, the problem might not be them—it might be your onboarding, systems, and expectations. And if you’re a freelancer wondering why you can’t retain long-term clients, you might be missing key steps in client management and experience.
If you’re a business owner or a freelancer, keep reading—this blog is about to save you from another round of hiring (or working with) the wrong people.
The Problem: Everyone’s Focused on the Hire, Not the Experience
Here’s the thing: Hiring a VA, SMM, or OBM isn’t just about offloading tasks. And offering these services isn’t just about completing a checklist.
It’s about building an ecosystem where the business actually runs better with the person in the role.
But right now, most freelancers are treating client work like a transaction instead of an experience. And most clients are treating their hires like disposable task-rabbits instead of collaborators in their business growth.
This is why things go left:
If You’re a Freelancer, Ask Yourself:
1. Are you creating an experience from the first discovery call to offboarding, or are you just checking off tasks?
2. Are you anticipating client needs, or are you waiting for instructions like an order-taker?
3. Are you communicating why your work matters, or are you just delivering files and hoping for the best?
4. Are you helping clients see the bigger picture, or are you only focused on your lane?
The freelancers who keep high-paying, long-term clients aren’t just good at what they do. They make their clients’ lives easier, more seamless, and more profitable.
If you’re struggling to stand out in a sea of service providers, it’s not because there are “too many” freelancers. It’s because you haven’t positioned yourself as someone a business can’t afford to lose.
If You’re a Business Owner, Ask Yourself:
1. Are you bringing on hires with clear expectations and proper onboarding, or are you expecting them to read your mind?
2. Are you treating them like partners in your business, or just people to tick tasks off your to-do list?
3. Are you giving them the context they need to succeed, or are you dropping random tasks on them and hoping for magic?
4. Are you building relationships with your team, or are you just paying invoices and moving on?
If you keep hiring people and saying, “They just didn’t work out,” it’s time to ask: Are you actually setting them up for success?
The best business owners attract and retain top-tier talent because they treat their team like a crucial part of the brand’s success.
If you’re cycling through freelancers every few months, the problem isn’t just them—it might be you.
The Shift: From Transactional to Transformational
For freelancers: Stop thinking of yourself as a task-doer and start thinking of yourself as a strategic partner.
For business owners: Stop treating hires like one-time expenses and start treating them like long-term investments.
The freelancers who make real money and the business owners who scale sustainably are the ones who get this.
So the next time you hire someone—or the next time you take on a new client—ask yourself: Am I creating an experience that makes this partnership actually work?
Because if you aren’t, you’re going to be right back where you started—hiring (or searching for clients) all over again.
Next Steps: How to Actually Fix This
If you’re a freelancer or business owner who’s tired of wasting time and money on the wrong hires or clients, let’s change that.
A. Freelancers – Want to position yourself as a high-value partner and not just another VA or OBM? Let’s build a brand that makes clients want to keep you around.
B. Business Owners – Ready to build a team that actually works? I help businesses create streamlined, seamless experiences that keep their hires engaged, effective, and profitable.
Let’s make this make sense. Book a consultation or shoot me a message, and let’s talk about how we can elevate your business from hiring chaos to team clarity.
Because doing things differently is what gets you the results everyone else is still chasing.
