To relax and inspire: Attitude of Gratitude

To relax and inspire: Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude In the highly competitive world of business, is there a place for gratitude? Written by: Evelyn Langa from Global VA Support Its often said that the business world is characterised by quotes such as; “its survival of the fittest”, “it’s a dog...

read more
Reading to relax and to inspire:The Pilgrims Way

Reading to relax and to inspire:The Pilgrims Way

  The Pilgrims Way Member feature : by Petro Botha from MPB Virtual Assistants Cleaning out my bedside table drawer today, I came across my credential. This is the document needed to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage way. There are many routes to walk to...

read more
For everyone: 15 Life Lessons I Live by

For everyone: 15 Life Lessons I Live by

15 Life Lessons I Live by   Member Feature by Sunet van Antwerpen of Virtual 24-7 There are so many lessons we learn in our lifetime, however, like most, I have a few of my favorites that I wanted to share. Below are 15 life lessons I believe keep me going. Life...

read more
Businesses That are Set to Make Waves in 2025

Businesses That are Set to Make Waves in 2025

Businesses That are Set to Make Waves in 2022 The Unseen Shoppe The Unseen Shoppe is the business to look out for in 2022. The local hobby store is based in Westville, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and is managed by an amazing and knowledgeable person named Bradley. The Unseen...

read more
New Goals for Success in 2025

New Goals for Success in 2025

2022 will be a year of new beginnings and new goals for my personal life, travel agency, and virtual assistant company-Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. 2021 was a year of great misery for the travel industry as many travel businesses closed down due to lock-downs...

read more
Christmas-A Time for Hobbies and Family

Christmas-A Time for Hobbies and Family

This Christmas is the time to appreciate the small and big things that bring joy to you this season. One of the big things is spending time with your loved ones in the family and the small things would be enjoying the hobbies that you are passionate about. The main...

read more

Charities that Need Help from VAASA- Same Love Toti

As part of VAASA'S End of Year Blog Challenge, we would like you to read this blog below from Carl Coetzee of Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd has chosen a non-profit organisation called Same Love Toti. The Founder of Same Love...

read more
VAASA’S End of Year Blog Challenge

VAASA’S End of Year Blog Challenge

VAASA's End of Year Blog Challenge   For the month of December, we will post a blog each day from one of our Premium Members. They have loads of information and knowledge to share which you will find useful. Look out for these interesting blogs which could teach...

read more
New Ways of Client Communication

New Ways of Client Communication

New Ways of Client Communication! Member feature by : Carl Coetzee of Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. During the global pandemic of COVID-19, companies needed to change their ways of communicating with their clients, employees, and suppliers. Companies adopted...

read more
For clients: Outsource your Stress!

For clients: Outsource your Stress!

Outsource your Stress! Member feature by : Anna White of Westfield Accounting CC You want to take your business to the next level by focusing on growing the business, personnel training, developing another division, etc. You are now asking the question – should I...

read more
The Tales of a Travel Agent during COVID-19

The Tales of a Travel Agent during COVID-19

The Tales of a Travel Agent During COVID-19 Member feature by : Carl Coetzee of Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd. Amon Ra Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd is a travel agency based in Amanzimtoti Kwa Zulu Natal. The company was founded by Carl Coetzee in 2014 after many...

read more
Mindset Matters: Getting Inside the Head of Top Earners

Mindset Matters: Getting Inside the Head of Top Earners

Mindset Matters: Getting Inside the Head of Top Earners Member Feature : by Rose Chaplin of VCS More Time For YOU. When you think about the highest earning business people what comes to mind? Charisma, experience, and expertise are often at the top of the list, but...

read more
Beat Email Overwhelm and Improve Work Life Balance

Beat Email Overwhelm and Improve Work Life Balance

Beat Email Overwhelm and Improve Work Life Balance Member feature Erika Coetzee of The Office Cog We live in a time of instant gratification and responses.  Shopping can be done 24-hours with the click of a button.  Even banks now have the option of communicating with...

read more
Loving YOURSELF in order to be more PRODUCTIVE!

Loving YOURSELF in order to be more PRODUCTIVE!

Loving YOURSELF in order to be more PRODUCTIVE! Member feature : by Chantel Griffin of VA Connect     “Love and Productivity”   “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson   I love this...

read more
The Missing Element in Your Virtual Assistant Funnel

The Missing Element in Your Virtual Assistant Funnel

The Missing Element in Your Virtual Assistant Funnel – Rose Chaplin We have written previously about Sales Funnels. Now the first thing new online Virtual Assistants learn as online business owners is the power of the VA offer funnel. You’ll find WordPress plugins to...

read more
3 Surefire Ways to Create In-Demand Service Offerings

3 Surefire Ways to Create In-Demand Service Offerings

3 Surefire Ways to Create In-Demand Service Offerings If there’s one thing that holds promising entrepreneurs back from launching their business, it’s this - a lack of confidence in their service offerings. Sure, you think that skill is a great idea, but how do you...

read more
Build a Business, Not Another Job

Build a Business, Not Another Job

Build a Business, Not Another Job Many people dream of working for themselves, being their own boss, and having the freedom to only take on clients and projects they love. What they don’t realize, though, is that there is a huge difference between building a business...

read more
Mindset Tricks of Successful Entrepreneurs

Mindset Tricks of Successful Entrepreneurs

Mindset Tricks of Successful Entrepreneurs Want to know what sets the uber-successful apart from the “wannabe entrepreneurs”? It’s not money, or brilliant ideas, or even powerful friends. All of those things (and more) are nice to have, but they’re not a requirement...

read more
Beyond SMART: Goal Setting for Virtual Assistants

Beyond SMART: Goal Setting for Virtual Assistants

Beyond SMART: Goal Setting for Virtual Assistants If there’s one thing we know about goals, they have to be SMART, right? After all, that’s what we’ve been told for years. The only thing that matters is that your goals are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic...

read more
The Easiest Way to Simplify Your Life

The Easiest Way to Simplify Your Life

The Easiest Way to Simplify Your Life If you’ve clicked on this blog, you’ve probably figured out that life can be pretty complex. Keeping to responsibilities as well as finding time to do what you love just isn’t easy, or even possible for some. While that may be...

read more
How to Structure Your Day When You Work from Home

How to Structure Your Day When You Work from Home

How to Structure Your Day When You Work from Home Sometimes, working from home can be difficult. With family and other distractions, how could you get anything done? Undoubtedly, discipline is the key to succeeding as a work-from-home assistant. While you may have...

read more
Get More Work Out of Your Employees this Year!

Get More Work Out of Your Employees this Year!

Get More Work Out of Your Employees this Year! The average employee works 40 hours a week. Take away lunch breaks, secret naps and other little breaks, employees really only work for 30 hours. If you want to get the most out of people, you may need to motivate and...

read more
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?

How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost? How much of your workday is spent by making or answering phone calls, doing admin, collating research, performing data entry and more? If you spend too much time on admin-related tasks, you are not spending enough time on the...

read more
How an Online Timer Can Improve Your Workday

How an Online Timer Can Improve Your Workday

How an Online Timer Can Improve Your Workday In the virtual workplace, keeping track of billed time is important. It helps you stay on track with your tasks and shows you which tasks take more time than others. It’s a great way to measure resource allocation. When you...

read more
5 Ways VA’s Can Get Ahead these Holidays!

5 Ways VA’s Can Get Ahead these Holidays!

5 Ways VA’s Can Get Ahead these Holidays! Can you believe that we have reached the end of the year and that in just 25 days we will be saying hello to a brand new year? Cheers to fresh starts! But before you go on holiday and enjoy yourself, here are five ways you can...

read more
Say it With Confidence: How to Discuss Rates Like a Pro!

Say it With Confidence: How to Discuss Rates Like a Pro!

Say it With Confidence: How to Discuss Rates Like a Pro! Does the topic of money make your mouth dry and your hands sweat? Do you dread that point in a conversation when someone says, “So what do you charge?” You’re not alone. Most of us have difficulty talking about...

read more
How a Virtual Assistant Can Help You with Transcription

How a Virtual Assistant Can Help You with Transcription

How a Virtual Assistant Can Help You with Transcription Many companies hire transcribers to convert their audios or videos into written content. If you haven’t thought about transcribing your podcasts, videos and meetings, this blog will help you to understand why you...

read more
How to Become Good at Typing

How to Become Good at Typing

How to Become Good at Typing Most Virtual Assistants don’t consider their typing skills when they pursue a career in this field. We have found that even those who type for a living such as writers and bloggers don’t pay much attention to their Words Per Minute (WPM)...

read more
Build a Client Database with a VA!

Build a Client Database with a VA!

Build a Client Database with a VA! Big businesses have fancy CRM systems and other tools to build a database, but for most small businesses, they must create a database manually. Using a simple spreadsheet can be valuable in helping you have a constant supply of leads...

read more
Use a Virtual Assistant for Office Support

Use a Virtual Assistant for Office Support

Use a Virtual Assistant for Office Support Reliable, skilled and competent office support is important for business growth. A secretary can help you keep to your schedule and manage the front office, but what about the day-to-day support that you need? Things such as:...

read more

Sales Tips for Reluctant Sales People

Sales Tips for Reluctant Sales People Would it come as a surprise to you if I said we’re all sales people? It’s true. Every time you have a prospective client on a discovery call, you’re making a sales pitch. Every time you send an email or write a blog post with an...

read more
What VAASA Can Do for Your Business

What VAASA Can Do for Your Business

What VAASA Can Do for Your Business The concept of Virtual Assistants (VAs) in South Africa is still new. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are slowly learning how a Virtual Assistant can benefit their business. We believe that Virtual Assistants are the key to...

read more
Characteristics that Make up a Good Virtual Assistant

Characteristics that Make up a Good Virtual Assistant

Characteristics that Make up a Good Virtual Assistant So you think you want to be a Virtual Assistant, but do you have what it takes? Perhaps you’re a small business and you want to hire a Virtual Assistant; can you spot a good one from the rest? In this blog, we will...

read more
Join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant Member

Join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant Member

Join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant Member What makes a great leader, worker or even a great Virtual Assistant? We believe that it takes coaching and guidance from industry experts, coupled with your education and experience. Yet, working as a VA can sometimes feel like...

read more
Fear-Based Decisions Are Bad for Business!

Fear-Based Decisions Are Bad for Business!

Fear-Based Decisions Are Bad for Business! At one point, or another, every business owner will find him or herself in a worrying situation. Revenue is down. New clients are scarce. Profits are falling, and a peek at the financials is enough to bring on a full-fledged...

read more
The Benefits of Unplugging and How to Unplug

The Benefits of Unplugging and How to Unplug

The Benefits of Unplugging and How to Unplug Most of us can’t live without our wonderful gadgets. When most people leave their homes, they have their mobile phones in one hand and an iPad in the other. Conversations at dinner tables have become one-sided because...

read more
What is a Sales Funnel, Anyway? – More Time for YOU

What is a Sales Funnel, Anyway? – More Time for YOU

What is a Sales Funnel, Anyway? – More Time for YOU As a Virtual Assistant, a sales funnel can be one of the most important marketing tools you have. And yet many VA’s - both new and established - have no clear understanding of what a funnel is or how it works. As you...

read more
How to Spriiiing Up Your Office

How to Spriiiing Up Your Office

How to Spriiiing Up Your Office Spring is here, hello! For most of us, this season marks the time for flowers, happiness and oh yes, change. This is a time when most people ‘spring clean’ their homes – or life, and get rid of all the winter junk. But how about your...

read more
9 Super Impressive Cell-Phone Hacks

9 Super Impressive Cell-Phone Hacks

9 Super Impressive Cell-Phone Hacks Would you like to join VAASA as a Virtual Assistant? Click here! If you’re a Virtual Assistant, you’re probably doing a lot of work on your phone. Perhaps you’re on the road and use your phone to keep up to date with clients, or you...

read more
Need More Clients? Think Like a Farmer

Need More Clients? Think Like a Farmer

Need More Clients? Think Like a Farmer Think all a farmer has to do is wait until fall to harvest truckloads of delicious tomatoes or corn or squash? Think again! That farmer has worked hard all year long to prepare for that week or two of reward. He prepared the...

read more
How A Virtual Receptionist Can Change Your Business

How A Virtual Receptionist Can Change Your Business

How A Virtual Receptionist Can Change Your Business Customer service can be a great differentiator for many businesses, especially those in saturated industries. If you can respond to queries quickly and professionally, a customer is more likely to stick with you than...

read more
How Much Transparency Is Too Much?

How Much Transparency Is Too Much?

How Much Transparency Is Too Much? We’ve previously talked before about storytelling and authenticity, and how being your true self is your most powerful Virtual Assistant branding tactic. But just how open and honest should you be when it comes to sharing your VA...

read more

5 Ways to Keep Your Virtual Employees Happy

5 Ways to Keep Your Virtual Employees Happy Need a Virtual Assistant? Let’s chat! We all know that happy employees are the most productive. Unhappy employees are unmotivated, do the bare minimum and fail to comply with rules and regulations. Staff morale is easy to...

read more
Lessons Learned: What A Lost Client Really Tells You

Lessons Learned: What A Lost Client Really Tells You

Lessons Learned: What A Lost Client Really Tells You We’ve all lost clients. Sometimes it’s our fault. Sometimes it’s theirs. Sometimes it’s out of everyone’s control. But no matter the reason, there is something to be learned from a lost client. A system to review...

read more
How Virtual Assistants Can Get Leads on Instagram

How Virtual Assistants Can Get Leads on Instagram

How Virtual Assistants Can Get Leads on Instagram You’ve probably got a website and linked it to your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn account, but did you know that Instagram is one of the best platforms for business? Yep, if you’re not using Instagram for business,...

read more
How Well Do You Really Know Your Ideal Client?

How Well Do You Really Know Your Ideal Client?

How Well Do You Really Know Your Ideal Client? We’ve all done the exercise. It’s the first thing you’re taught when you first start your business: Create an ideal client avatar. This vision of your ideal client guides everything you do, including pricing (you can’t...

read more
Is Blogging Really Necessary for Your Business?

Is Blogging Really Necessary for Your Business?

Is Blogging Really Necessary for Your Business? Someone once told me that “blogging is dead” and that businesses should no longer consider blogging to get more leads. These days, everyone has a blog. There are over 152 million blogs online and research shows that...

read more
Virtual Assistants, You Are Your Brand!

Virtual Assistants, You Are Your Brand!

Virtual Assistants, You Are Your Brand! Virtual Assistants, here is a secret successful marketers know -  clients don’t buy a product. They buy you. Your personality.  Your experience.  The unique qualities only you possess. There was a time when “branding” meant a...

read more
5 Eye Exercises for People Who Stare at Screens All Day

5 Eye Exercises for People Who Stare at Screens All Day

5 Eye Exercises for People Who Stare at Screens All Day A Virtual Assistant who spends most of her time in front of a computer can develop eye problems such as dry eye, vision problems, fatigue and eye twitching. These conditions can be the cause of your work errors...

read more
The Best Ways to Manage Your Email Mailbox

The Best Ways to Manage Your Email Mailbox

The Best Ways to Manage Your Email Mailbox Although we like to think that we’re well organised, many of us do not have total control over our mailboxes. You must avoid losing control as once your mailbox has grown to over 100 new emails while you keep receiving new...

read more
The Art of the Discount: How to Never Lower Your Rates Again

The Art of the Discount: How to Never Lower Your Rates Again

The Art of the Discount: How to Never Lower Your Rates Again It’s happened to every VA at one time or another—probably more than once. You offer a proposal or contract, only to have your potential client respond with, “That sounds great, but I can’t afford it.” What...

read more
5 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated as an Entrepreneur

5 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated as an Entrepreneur

5 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated as an Entrepreneur Let’s face it, being an entrepreneur is hard work and can be daunting at times. For those who have never taken the entrepreneurial journey, they may not understand the work, sweat and tears that go into building a...

read more
Budgeting Tips for Virtual Assistants or Freelancers

Budgeting Tips for Virtual Assistants or Freelancers

Budgeting Tips for Virtual Assistants or Freelancers As a Virtual Assistant and Freelancer, you are managing your own income. This type of work sometimes entails certain periods where you’re busy and earning money, and others where you’re not making anything at all....

read more
Time Management Tips for Small Business

Time Management Tips for Small Business

Time Management Tips for Small Business Managing time in your business should be a high priority for you as a business owner. Because you want to maximise your profits, you should reduce time spent on non-income producing activities. Here are four tips to manage your...

read more
5 Chrome Productivity Apps for Virtual Assistants

5 Chrome Productivity Apps for Virtual Assistants

5 Chrome Productivity Apps for Virtual Assistants Working virtually comes with many perks such as managing your own schedule, being in charge of your income and achieving a work-life balance. But at times, it can lead to many distractions that if not paid attention...

read more
How to Identify Your IDEAL Client

How to Identify Your IDEAL Client

How to Identify Your IDEAL Client If there’s one mistake that new—and sometimes even established— Virtual Assistants make, it’s this: failing to develop a clear vision of her ideal client. Too often we think our particular virtual assistant service is “for everyone.”...

read more
How to Advertise Your Services as A Virtual Assistant

How to Advertise Your Services as A Virtual Assistant

How to Advertise Your Services as A Virtual Assistant There are plenty of Virtual Assistants worldwide and now that it’s becoming a more popular method of employment for entrepreneurs, a career in the field can be rewarding. One challenge Virtual Assistants may face...

read more
How Do You Pay Your Virtual Assistant?

How Do You Pay Your Virtual Assistant?

How Do You Pay Your Virtual Assistant? So, you’ve hired your first Virtual Assistant – well done! Now begins the work on how you will set her up to complete her work successfully. One of the things you need to set up is payment. How will you pay your Virtual...

read more
How to Balance Work and Home Life

How to Balance Work and Home Life

How to Balance Work and Home Life Entrepreneurs are known to be extremely hard on themselves. They overwork their minds and sometimes forget to take a break. When 24 entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders were asked why work/life balance matters to them and why...

read more
Four Tips to Make Sure You Hire the Best Virtual Assistant

Four Tips to Make Sure You Hire the Best Virtual Assistant

Four Tips to Make Sure You Hire the Best Virtual Assistant The first employee an entrepreneur should hire is a personal assistant in the form of a Virtual Assistant. Not a secretary, call centre agent or admin manager. Here’s why: Your business is still growing and...

read more
How to price your Virtual Assistant Services

How to price your Virtual Assistant Services

How to price your Virtual Assistant Services 1. Figure out your minimum hourly rate How much do you need to make a living?  Notice we said “make a living” and not just earn an income. You could charge R25.00 per hour and earn some income, but will that help you pay...

read more
How to easily overcome the challenges of working from home

How to easily overcome the challenges of working from home

How to easily overcome the challenges of working from home Working from home is such a fantastic opportunity not to mention liberating at the same time! It can be a challenge, but as entrepreneurs we know the rewards can be great. As working from home at times can be...

read more
Are you listening to your clients?

Are you listening to your clients?

Are you listening to your clients? Do you listen to your clients? Do you know and utilise the art of listening? We all believe that we listen to our clients, yet some of us pretend listen. Here are a few examples of pretend listening: Thinking about how you will...

read more

Why hiring a Virtual Assistant will benefit your startup

Why hiring a Virtual Assistant will benefit your Startup So you may have been wondering of late that you would like some help around the office, yet you just can’t seem to get to the point of hiring a full-time employee. “As entrepreneurs, time is our most valuable...

read more
How to find quality clients at a networking event?

How to find quality clients at a networking event?

How to find quality clients at a networking event? Effective Networking by Lori Padgett Choosing a Networking Group Visit as many networking events as possible. Make a mental note of the nature of the event. Are the attendees supportive to one another? Some networking...

read more
How to get your client to delegate tasks to you

How to get your client to delegate tasks to you

How to get your client to delegate tasks to you You’ve signed the new client and you are raring to get started, but you wait and wait for the tasks.  Hesitancy to give up control of tasks is definitely a sign that your client needs assistance. As the VA you can...

read more