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.
FAQs about becoming a Virtual Assistant
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.
Interview with Kent-based VA, Michelle Dowsett
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Michelle Dowsett from Discovery PA Solutions. Specialising in providing a bespoke personal service, Michelle lives with her family in Kent in the UK and set up her VA business in August 2018 so she could ditch her long commute and spend more time with her children.
Why the pandemic was a ‘little ships’ moment for Virtual Assistants
As I write this post in response to the global Coronavirus pandemic, I feel lucky that the VA industry is so robust. Virtual Assistants have numerous transferable skills; we can work with any type of business, in any location, in any timezone and in any currency. Virtual Assistance is a highly agile business model that withstands turbulent times.
How to future-proof your Virtual Assistant business
I’m sorry to tell you this, but some unpleasant and unexpected events are likely to take place during your freelance career. To help you anticipate what these events could be and to prevent them from impacting your business, I’ve created a disaster recovery exercise so you can implement steps and future-proof your business against every eventuality.
Time management tips for busy Virtual Assistants
After you set up your Virtual Assistant business, you may struggle to effectively manage your time. It’s actually quite tricky to complete the work of multiple clients as well as undertake your own business activities and family responsibilities. But don’t worry, I know a multitude of tricks to help you juggle the lot, without losing your sanity.
Why it’s always a great time to be a Virtual Assistant
Whenever the world experiences a period of economic and political uncertainty, people who work for themselves aren’t as worried about their options. In fact, historically, freelancers usually do quite well during these periods because they are more in control of the situation and can use their flexible business model to create opportunities for themselves.
Interview with techie Welsh VA, Amy Richards
This is a Virtual Assistant case study and interview with Amy Richards who trades under her own name of Amy Richards VA. With a background in the teaching profession, Amy now specialises in providing techie services to coaches and solopreneurs. She has been working as a VA since February 2015 and lives with her wife in Cardiff, Wales.
40 ways to market your Virtual Assistant business
Every Virtual Assistant needs to find clients, but unless you come from a marketing background, you’ve probably never promoted yourself before. In fact, the thought of marketing may even make you feel a bit anxious. People can only hire you if they know you exist, so here are 40 ways to market your VA business to get you started.
How to choose the right laptop for your Virtual Assistant business
One of the most popular questions asked by members of my VA Handbookers Facebook group is which laptop they should buy. Because I thought it would be easier to have a source to point people to when they asked this question, below is a comprehensive list of all the things you should consider when choosing a laptop for your VA business.