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What are the best types of SOPs to give to a new virtual assistant?
March 6, 2026·2 min read·SOPs by Role and Use Case
The best SOPs for a new virtual assistant cover daily repetitive tasks with clear inputs and outputs — email management, data entry, order processing, scheduling, and report generation. Start with tasks that have a fixed process (no judgment calls), visual steps with screenshots, and a clear definition of "done." Give the VA 3-5 SOPs on day one and add more after the first week.
What SOPs should you give first?
| Priority | Task | Why It Works for VA Handoff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Email inbox management | Clear rules: archive, forward, respond with template |
| 2 | Data entry (CRM, spreadsheets) | Fixed fields, fixed format, no judgment needed |
| 3 | Order processing | Step-by-step in the order management system |
| 4 | Calendar management | Clear booking rules and scheduling preferences |
| 5 | Report generation | Pull data, paste into template, format, send |
What makes a good VA SOP?
| Element | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | "Click the 'New Contact' button in the top-right corner" | "Add the contact to the CRM" |
| Screenshots | Every step has an annotated screenshot | Text-only descriptions |
| Decision points | "If the email is from a customer, forward to support@" | "Handle emails appropriately" |
| Definition of done | "The task is complete when the spreadsheet row turns green" | No completion criteria |
| Error handling | "If you see an error, take a screenshot and message me on Slack" | No error instructions |
How do you create VA SOPs quickly?
Record each task using Glyde as you perform it normally. The auto-generated screenshots and step descriptions create the foundation. Add decision points and error handling during the 3-5 minute review. Share the guides in a shared Notion workspace — your VA playbook is ready in an afternoon.
This answer is part of our guide to SOPs by role and use case.