The VA Academy
Welcome to the VA Academy. These 200 lectures help you get set up faster, find better clients, and skip the generally not-so-fun parts of scaling a new business. Course also comes with 60 minutes of 1:1 coaching with me.
There is over 15+ hours of video instruction, 50+ templates, scripts, and downloadables, plus dozens of hands-on activities and quizzes to ensure you're retaining the content.
Created for Virtual Assistants, by a Virtual Assistant.
I'm your instructor Erin, and I help VAs like you create profitable and sustainable businesses.
The course content is practical, easy to understand and implement, and has been personally tested. I've taught more than 35,000 people from all over the globe since 2018. As your instructor, I get to share all of my best tips and tools with you to help you niche down, find your dream clients and make a steady income beyond your wildest dreams.
When I started as a VA in 2012, I was right where you are. I had a strong background in administration and productivity thanks to my work in film and live entertainment, but I was unprepared for running my own business.
This course aims to help you get set up faster, find better clients, and skip the generally not-so-fun parts of scaling a new business.
Here's how the course is broken down.
First up is your blueprint to launch. We'll cover essentials like setting your rates, creating SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), insurance, websites, and much more. This is the foundation of your business. You'll make decisions about how to run your business, set working hours, name your business, and how you prefer to get paid.
Next, you'll learn how to land your first client(s). Now that the groundwork has been laid out, we can talk about how (and where) to find your first client. You will explore who your ideal client is, discover their challenges, find where they "hang out" online, and learn to pitch your dream clients through a variety of tried and true methods.
Once you've mastered how to pitch clients, it's time for your interview (commonly referred to as an "exploratory call." You'll explore some of the questions you should be asking potential clients, as well as the most common questions clients ask VAs. Of course, we'll talk about the best answers to those questions too.
Then, we'll cover the must-have skills every VA needs to know. Clients are eager to hire virtual assistants who bring a wide variety of strong skills to the table. You'll not only learn how to handle the 10 most common VA tasks, but you'll receive nearly two-dozen templates, scripts, pre-made spreadsheets, downloadable worksheets, and a delegation eBook. Phew!
Once you've masted skills like inbox management, expense reporting, lead generation, and travel management, we'll move onto the must-have tools. We'll go over 30+ tools to help you manage every aspect of your business: From financials to contracts, we'll cover everything you need to help your productivity skyrocket.
Next, we'll discuss the interview, contracts, and onboarding clients. Learn what a VA interview actually looks like, as well as how to lead the interview with confidence. You'll also learn how to send legally binding contracts, and how to onboard a client quickly - without making more work for your client.
Moving on, you'll learn how to grow your VA business sustainably. You’ll learn crucial skills to ensure long-term success, like the right way to prioritize your highest-earning tasks or clients, how to build your own VA network, and even how to fire a client without burning a bridge.
Finally, I'm including a bonus course that will help you double your income. The secret to making incredible income as a VA is "specialization." The riches are in the niches, and in this module, we'll identify a high-paying and in-demand skill that you can offer right away to bring in more income.
I hope you're just as excited as I am to get started. Soon, you'll be pitching (and landing clients) that are an ideal fit for the life that you want.
What are you waiting for? Let's get started ASAP.
How to Make the Most of This Course
Download your comprehensive launch guide!
✨ Section 1: Types of Virtual Assistants
The Types of VAs: Which Are You?
Why Do We Use the Term Virtual Assistant? Is There an Alternative?
✨ Section 2: Get Set Up With the Right Tools
Top 10 Tools to Get You Started Today!
🖋 Assignment: Set Your Tools Up.
✨ Section 3: Creating SOPs
Creating SOPs for Your Business
Planning for Emergencies
✨ Creating a Website
Do You Need a Website?
✨ Setting Rates
Set Your Rate in 4 Steps
Hourly Versus Flat Rates
Determine a Flat Rate with a Formula
✨ Getting Paid Online
Methods to Receive Payment
Tips to Get Paid On Time
✨ Insurance for VAs
Do You Need Insurance?
✨ Finances for VAs
Basic Accounting and Bookkeeping (US)
How to Reduce Expenses
How to Find a Great Accountant
All About Tax Entities (US)
✨ Naming Your Business
What's Your Business Name?
Is Your Business Name Taken (US-only)
✨ Common Mistakes as a New VA to Avoid
Avoiding Common Pitfalls as a VA
[Bonus] Freelance versus VA-Matching Firms
Turn A Limited Project Into Recurring Work
✅ Wrapping Up
Read This Before You Sign That Client
✨ Defining Your Ideal Client
Crafting Your Ideal Client Avatar
Example of Real World Client Avatars
Find Where Your Clients Hang Out
Exploring Client Challenges
Find Your Why
"Why" Inspiration From the Experts
✨ Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch
Define and Refine Your Pitch
How to Practice the Pitch
✨ Methods for Finding New Clients
Pitching Friends and Family
Pitching to Social Media Groups
Subcontracting With Other VAs
The Secret to Winning Clients
Utilizing Testimonials
Networking and Virtual Events
Referrals
Exercise: Find Your Authentic Voice
💻 Supplemental Learning: LinkedIn Headlines
Crafting a LinkedIn Headline That Attracts Clients
Preparing For Your Interview
✨ Start with the "Bridge Pitch"
Q1: Your Core Services
Q2: Hours of Operation
Q3: Handling Difficult Tasks
Q4: Preferred Method of Communication
Q5: Creating a Priority System
Q6: When a Client Doesn't Delegate Well
Q7: Handling Conflicts
Q8: Negotiating Rates
Q9: Should You Contradict Your Clients?
Q10: Closing the Deal
[Download] Welcome Email to Send Clients
✅ Wrapping Up
Hands-On Skills Training
✨ Keeping Data Safe
Data Security
🖋 Security Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Calendar Management
How to Request Calendar Access
Find a Time, Create an Event, and Send an Invitation (+ Template)
Emailing Others to Find a Time
When to Use Bcc
Calendar Tools, Color Coding, and Blocks
🖋 Calendar Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Inbox Management
4 Steps to Create a Clear System
How to Create Filters in Gmail
How to Bulk Delete Emails in Gmail
Understanding Inbox Zero
🖋 Inbox Management Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Expense Reporting
Expense Reporting
🖋 Expense Report Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Social Media Maintenance
Social Media Maintenance Introduction
Tracking with Google Sheets
Tracking with Airtable
Creating Graphics Online (+ Best Tools)
Scheduling Posts
New Social Media Scheduler: Later
2022 Twitter Content Planner
How to Measure Metrics
🖋 Social Media Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Research
How to Create Comparative Research (+ Template)
How to Create Informational Research (+ Template)
How to Create Data Research (+ Template)
🖋 Research Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Lead Generation
4 Ways to Find ANY Email - Fast and Free
How to Generate Leads for Clients (+ Checklist & Spreadsheet)
Saving Leads to CRMs
🖋 Lead Generation Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Travel Management
Travel Introduction (+ Checklist & Templates)
Booking Flights (+ Best Tools)
Booking Rental Cars (+ Best Tools)
What If You Can't Find a Rental Car?
Booking Hotels, Vacation Rentals + Best Tools
Emailing Itineraries, Templates, and Scripts
Inputting Travel Details Into Calendars
Tips to Make Travel Less Stressful
🖋 Travel Quiz
✨ Core Skill: Online Purchases
Making Online Purchases
✨ Core Skill: Event Planning
Event Planning
✨ Core Skill: Handling Unfamiliar Tasks
Places to Learn Online
✨ Core Skill: Back Office Skills
End-of-Week Reports (+ Script)
🖋 Back-Office Skills Quiz
✅ Wrapping Up
Why the Right Tools Matter
Who Pays For These Tools?
✨ Protect Yourself With A Contract (for Free)
Contract Creator
✨ Security
LastPass
NordVPN
✨ Time Tracking
Harvest
✨ Finances
Wave
PayPal (+ Services Update)
Keeper Tax for Easy Deductions (US only)
✨ Email Management
Edison Mail
Email-Signature
✨ Calendars
Doodle
World Time Buddy
✨ Voice / Communication
Google Voice
Zoom
Hidden Zoom Features
Globafy
✨ Social Media
Canva Scheduler
Crello
Mailchimp
Mailchimp Alternative: MailerLite
FREE PREVIEW✨ CRM & Project Management
Airtable as a CRM
Notion
Ora
Ora Walkthrough
✨ Self Care
Take A Break Eyecare
YouTube Meditations
✅ Wrapping Up
Keep Your Business IN Business
✨ How to Prioritize Revenue-Generating Tasks
Introduction to the 80:20 Rule
80:20 Rule Worksheet
How the 80:20 Rule Changed My VA Business
Multitasking Sucks for Your Business and Brain
Screen Share: How to Batch Schedule Tasks
✨ Building Your Own VA Network
Why We Build VA Networks
How to Build a VA Network
How to Share Client Info Securely
Bonus Networking Tips
When to Say "Yes" and When to Say "No" to a Client
How to Fire A Client
3 Steps to Fire a Client
✅ Wrapping Up
✨ Doubling Your Income
Exercise: Brainstorm Session
How to Research In-Demand Skills and Industries
Compare the Skills List with Your Research
Master Your New Skill Online with Online Learning Tools
How to Price Your New Service
How a Flat (Monthly) Rate Can DOUBLE Your Rate
Introducing Your Specialty Skill to CURRENT Clients (+ Script)
Introducing Your Specialty Skill to NEW Clients (+ Script)
✅ Wrapping Up
Download the Essential Business Forms
Download the course checklist.
Erin Booth
Online Career Course Refund Policy
Refunds for online courses are only given under the following circumstances: