Being a Virtual Assistant is awesome. I have a fantastic lifestyle and have worked in countries all around the world. But the life of a freelancer isn’t all unicorns and fairies, and it’s definitely not a “side hustle” or a way of making easy money. Let me tell you what’s actually involved in setting up and running a VA business so you can decide if it’s for you.
I know from experience that when you first discover Virtual Assistants exist and you suspect you might want to be one, you research the subject to death and then quickly become overwhelmed with information. So, here are the most frequently asked questions about becoming a Virtual Assistant to help you decide if it’s the right career for you.
Martha Kilner lives in NE London with her husband and three children. She started her Virtual Assistant business, Any Other Business, in January 2024 after facing redundancy twice in the education sector. A primary school teacher for 20 years, Martha now supports education-focused clients and has even appeared in Business Insider and on the BBC!
Holly Copsey lives with her partner and two children in Essex. She set up her Virtual Assistant business (now an award-winning agency), Virtually Priceless, in 2018 during a separation and while seven months pregnant with her second child. Holly now runs a team of over 30 Virtual Assistants from her stable yard offices, and goes horseriding between meetings!
Okay, grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee and maybe a large pack of biscuits because today, we’re diving into the wild, high-octane world of your legal responsibilities as a UK Virtual Assistant. The subject is as dull as ditchwater, but if you’re going to run your own VA business, you need to understand how to stay protected and compliant.
Monthly retainers are one of the most reliable pricing models. They provide a predictable income, ensure clients always have access to your time, streamline your workload, eliminate uncertainty and help create stable, long-term working relationships. In this post, I’ll cover how monthly retainers work, when to use them, and common mistakes to avoid.
Setting your Virtual Assistant rates can feel like a minefield. Charge too little, and you’ll go out of business, but charge too much without backing it up, and clients may not hire you. In this post, I outline the different types of pricing models you can choose from so you can set a rate that’s fair, competitive, sustainable and makes you a ton of money!
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Nikki Ince. Nikki is the owner of Willow Social, a Virtual Assistant company based in Essex. She initially only provided onsite admin support to local businesses but went fully virtual in 2013 and now provides social media support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. This is her VA story.
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with single Mum Rachel Rose. After her divorce ten years ago, Rachel left the UK to take a six-month travel sabbatical, but instead of returning, ended up moving to Ibiza, Spain, where she still lives with her 3.5-year-old son. Rachel has been running her Virtual Assistant business since June 2024.
I’ve written about how to say no to “well-meaning” saboteurs called naysayers, but what I haven’t done is give you examples of what they might say so you know what to say no to! Whether you’re on the receiving end of a negative comment or battling your own negative thoughts, it will help to have a good response ready.
New Virtual Assistants often ask if they need insurance and, if so, what type of cover they should get. As it’s vital that Virtual Assistants have insurance, I’ve put together a comprehensive summary of the different types of policies available to you to help you make an informed decision and ensure you don’t get sued or screwed!
