I'm a copywriter in Durban running a paid newsletter that's finally making real money. My accountant says I need a VA for admin and research, but I'm terrified of committing to a salary when my income swings 40% month to month. I've been using freelance platforms, but the quality is all over the place. How did you know when it was safe to hire, and how did you structure it so you didn't drown?
How do I make my first hire when the money is irregular?
What a useful answer should help achieve
A clear rule or signal for when to hire and how to structure the pay so it doesn't break the bank.
Already tried
Hired two freelancers off Upwork for short projects; both needed heavy rework.
Constraints and unknowns
Income varies too much for a fixed salary; no savings buffer.
Copywriter · paid newsletter · Exploring · This snapshot stays with the question when the author updates their profile.1 reply
Audience: Public. Replies follow this audience.
0Liam DoucetPodcast Host · Creator-Led BusinessesCanada·Exploring·2m ago
Hire for a specific task. Not a role. Put a number on the hours.
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