I know from experience that when you first discover VAs exist and you suspect you might want to become 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.
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, 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.
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.
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?
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, 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!
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.
“I think you’d be surprised if you knew how much time I spend thinking about Rome,” I said to my friend as I perched on a barstool in her kitchen, “I really do love it there. Italy is definitely my soul country and I think about it all the time”. So if I love Italy so much why have I just moved to Montenegro – a country I had never previously been to?
If you’re still in the setting-up phase of your Virtual Assistant business wouldn’t it be great to receive some personal advice from established VAs who have walked the path before you? I mean, imagine how helpful it would be to hear some words of wisdom, get some pointers and find out what the best course of action would be? Oh wait… there is!
When you decide that you’re going to become a Virtual Assistant and take over the Universe, one of the things you’ll need to do is tell the Government you’re no longer working for The Man but for many men (and women) instead. The information below is based on current UK tax laws so please check what your own government requires if you live outside of the UK.
If you’re anything like me, then you love learning new things. In fact, it may even be one of the reasons you decided to set up your own business. But whether you’re a Virtual Assistant looking to upskill or you simply want to know All The Things, you’re going to flip over this carefully curated collection of online courses I’ve put together for you.
Winter can be hard for freelancers. If you’re not careful you could slip on ice and break your wrist, spend months freezing your butt off or end up crying over a massive heating bill. But there’s no need to worry about staying safe and warm this winter because I have some fail-proof ways to get through it without falling foul to frostbite or fractures.
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Toks Coyle (née Adebanjo) from TAVA Services. Winner and runner-up of a number of VA awards, Toks lives with her husband in East Lothian, Scotland and set up her business in the Autumn of 2016 after struggling to find a career path she was truly passionate about.
