Whether you’re still in the process of setting up your VA business or have already started working with clients, managing your time can be a real challenge. Your schedule as a business owner will be very different from when you worked as an employee, so having an effective task-management system in place will make a huge difference.
Quick Win: How to detect and deal with plagiarism
Another great quick-win task to suggest to your clients is monitoring for plagiarism. This is actually something my own Virtual Assistant does for me every month as I like to know my content isn’t being used without my permission. Not only is this a great service to offer clients, but you can also check to see if your own website content is being stolen.
Interview with Birmingham-based VA Tom Lingard
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Tom Lingard. Based in Birmingham, Tom set up his VA business, The Remote Assistant, in August 2020 and specialises in creative projects. Outside of the office, Tom enjoys exploring the wonderful sights and scenes of the UK and also loves travelling around the world as a digital nomad.
Negotiation advice for Virtual Assistants
At some point, a client is going to ask to change a clause in your Virtual Assistant freelancer contract. This is perfectly normal and there is no need to panic. However, while a contract is just a starting point, knowing how to negotiate a clause and navigating the process can feel overwhelming – especially if you’re a new VA.
Can Virtual Assistants find work on Upwork?
What do we want? Fabulous, well-paying clients! When do we want them? Right this minue! Every freelancer needs to find work, but do popular outsourcing websites like Upwork, People Per Hour, 3desk, Fiverr, and Guru actually lead to well-paid work for Virtual Assistants? Read on to find out.
Interview with Canadian VA Anastasia Olson
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Anastasia Olson. Anastasia lives in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and set up her VA company offering business support services in 2016. This is the story of how she got started, who she works with and whether she would do anything differently if she had to start again.
Interview with award-winning VA Sarah Szekir-Papasavva
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Sarah Szekir-Papasavva. Sarah set up her award-winning business Apt Virtual Assistance (AptVA) in 2018 and provides small business owners with high-quality administrative and creative support. Originally from Brazil, Sarah currently lives in London with her husband and young daughter.
The platforms, apps and tools I pay for (and the ones I don’t)
Confused about all the different platforms, apps and tools that Virtual Assistants talk about online? Worried that if you don’t know what they are and how to use them then you can’t be a VA? Uncertain whether a platform should be used by you or one of your clients instead? Not sure if you should upgrade or stick with the free version?
How to work out your Virtual Assistant niche
Having a Virtual Assistant niche comes with numerous benefits, not least because you want to be the irreplaceable VA whose clients would pay anything rather than lose, rather than an average do-it-all VA who can be easily interchanged with a cheaper one. You definitely have an area of expertise in your repertoire, so let me help you work out what it is!
VA Interview with award-winning VA Joanne Manville
This is a VA case study and interview with Joanne Manville. Currently living in Devon with her husband and 4-year-old daughter, Joanne launched her business Joanne Manville Virtual Assistance in October 2015. Outside of the office, Joanne spends a lot of time walking on the moors and is also on the committee of the Exeter Districts Scouts.