The Sam + Jo VA Show

There are a few crucial conversations you’ll need to have with a lead or client where email (or messages) just won’t cut it.

Often these are courageous conversations caused by an unhappy client, a mistake that’s been made or a miscommunication. But more commonly they are also your discovery calls and onboarding discussions.

It’s impossible to convey your value to a lead via email. It’s difficult to calm ruffled feathers via text. And there’s no way you’ll ever convince us you can build truly meaningful relationships hiding behind your keyboard.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The crucial conversations all VAs must have either on the phone or on a Zoom call.
• The fears that cause virtual assistants to hide behind their keyboards.
• Why so much can get lost in translation via email.
• Why picking up the phone is the professional move clients respect.

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

There’s a common misconception that the only reason we recommend time tracking is to benefit our clients.

We’ve met countless virtual assistants who have put off time tracking because they thought it would be clunky and take them too long to log everything.

And we’ve come across many more who think a client asking to see a breakdown of their hours is a red flag, micromanaging alert!

But let’s be really clear on three things straight off the bat:

1. All virtual assistants must be time tracking – no matter how they package up their services.
2. It’s not a red flag if a client asks for a breakdown of your time.
3. The only time we don’t advise you to provide a breakdown of your time is if you’re providing a fixed fee package.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The reasons it benefits you as a business owner to time track everything.
• The reasons why a client may be requesting break down of your hours.
• The assumptions and fears we have around time tracking.
• The level of detail you should be noting while time tracking.

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

If we had a dollar for every aspiring virtual assistant whose been told they need a website in order to get clients, we’d be planning an early retirement in the Maldives!

Look don’t get us wrong. Nothing gets our engines purring harder than a great converting website with clear messaging and a strong personal brand. This type of website can do wonders for an established virtual assistant’s credibility.

BUT … the cold hard truth of the matter is that 99% of the time this ^^^ is not the reality of a virtual assistant’s attempt at DIYing their website too soon in the game.

We’re here to ensure you’re not wasting your time, energy and money on something that will repel clients rather than attract.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why a website isn’t a silver bullets for clients finding you online.
• The ONLY virtual assistants that need a website early on.
• Why having a website too soon will only end in disappointment and frustration.
• How to get your website up and running quickly, affordably and without the stress

Sam + Jo xo 

PS: The Essential Website Template is now available for $199 NZD and is specifically designed for virtual assistants. Plus, with step-by-step tutorials included, you can finally put an end to your website woes and start showing your credibility as a business owner.

With so many online scams and get rich quick schemes around, it’s no wonder you might be wary of getting burned. In fact we respect those reaching out questioning the legitimacy of the virtual assistant industry - 'cos it's better to be safe than sorry!

But we’re here to assure you that the VA space is anything but a ponzi or pyramid scheme.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The differences between a dodgy get rich scam and starting a genuine online business.
• What to do if you’re unsure about an online business opportunity.
• Jo’s pet hate about how the term ‘affiliate marketing’ is being used.

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

Well, you can try! But it’s certainly not going to be easy finding clients under a cloud of secrecy and lies.

The way we see it, you have two options:

Be open, honest and have a courageous conversation that paves the way for you to truly succeed; or

Not do any of that, allow the secret to eat away at you from the inside, find it more difficult to find clients, AND run the very real risk that your boss may find out anyway … and THAT’S a conversation we know you’d rather avoid!

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The only things your boss cares about regarding your side hustle
• The language to use when telling your manager about your VA aspirations
• Why your fears around this conversation are usually unfounded
• Why honesty truly is the best policy

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

The perfect follow on from last week’s episode on why being a bloody great VA isn’t always rainbows and unicorns, in this episode we’re talking about the differences between being a bloody great VA and a bloody great VA business owner.

Because unfortunately not even the best VAs in the business are guaranteed to succeed long-term in the industry.

The actions required of a great VA business owner are relatively simple, but you may be surprised to hear the mindset shifts needed to close the gap between great VA and great VA business owner can be mammoth.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The differences between a great VA and a great VA business owner.
• What to focus on to ensure you don’t become a flash-in-the-pan virtual assistant.
• Why it’s imperative you take control.

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Download your FREE Pre-Scaling Checklist here.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

This episode is dedicated to all the crazy great virtual assistants out there.

The virtual assistants who are booked out with clients who RAVE about them.

The virtual assistants delivering incredible value to their clients.

The virtual assistants who bend over backwards to make their clients happy.

The virtual assistants who prioritise their clients' needs above their own.

The virtual assistants working all the hours, all the time.

The virtual assistants who care so f&#king much they end up stressed out, overwhelmed, burnt out and unhappy.

Do you see where we’re going with this?

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The signs you’re one of the best VAs in the business.
• Why there are major downsides to being a cracking hot, in demand virtual assistant.
• What you need to do to ensure you stay happy, healthy and profitable while still delivering great service.

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

No waitlist? No problem!

Implementing and managing a client waitlist is a breeze! A breeze that has countless benefits if you’re working at capacity and having to turn down leads.

There aren’t many things in business that have NO downsides whatsoever, but having a waitlist is one of them.

This no brainer strategy not only helps put an end to your feast and famine cycle, but it’s also really attractive to leads. Who wouldn’t want to work with a VA who is obviously in such high demand?!

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why waitlists dramatically improve your credibility.
• Why your assumptions about waitlists are likely to be unfounded.
• Why leads are willing to wait.
• How to communicate to leads about your waitlist.
• How to keep your waitlist warm

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Download your FREE Pre-Scaling Checklist here.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo 

Create a course or write an e-book they tell you!

Package up downloadables to sell they advise!

In theory these are potentially solid passive income options … but not for the majority of virtual assistants.

Passive income is being thrown around a lot lately as the answer to all your feast and famine woes.

A way to ensure that even in slow periods of business you’ll have a steady stream of income trickling into your bank account while you sleep.

A strategy to move you away from trading your hours for money.

But passive income is NEVER a silver bullet and we’re here to bust some myths, expose the realities of passive income, and talk through a few options that COULD work, some that WILL work and those you should AVOID like the plague.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The popular passive income pipe dreams that aren’t worth your time.
• The advice other VA coaches aren’t giving you.
• The two biggest passive income reframes that will have your earning more money, working less hours.

Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Download your FREE Pre-Scaling Checklist here.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo

If you’ve followed us for a while, you know that we love us some woo-woo, and this year we’ve truly opened our minds and hearts to even more spiritual practices that can be incorporated into our businesses.

We are so grateful to have recently stumbled across the most beautiful soul who we immediately connected with.

Numerologist Sandy Atkins has gently guided us the past few months on a journey of using numbers to explore our talents, strengths, weaknesses and has helped us immensely in uncovering our purpose and future potential.

And in this episode we're sharing how numerology can provide inspiration, insights and clarity in not only your personal life but also your business.

Listen in to get a sneak peek behind the woo-woo scenes of The VA Foundry.

Connect with the Sandy here to find out more about her numerology readings, workshops and more!

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Just starting out on your VA journey?

Launch your very own virtual assistant business in just 30 days with our step-by-step playbook! We'll guide you every step of the way, from setting up your business to securing (and onboarding) your first client.

Are you an established VA looking to scale?

Join the Scale It! Mastermind for established virtual assistants looking to level up their business. Make more money, get more clients and grow your team today!

Sam + Jo xo