Episodit
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As your VA biz evolves, a 'set and forget' approach can lead to complacency - and nothing good comes from that!
We know how easy it is to get caught up in day-to-day client work, but ignoring vital elements like your website copy, contracts, socials, systems and processes will only make it harder to catch up later.
The solution?
Regularly reviewing your business fundamentals typically requires only minor tweaks. But let things gather dust too long, and those tweaks can turn into major overhauls.
Remember folks: keeping up is always easier than catching up!
In this episode youâll learn:
The reasons why nothing in biz is set and forget â as much as we wished otherwise.The triggers reminding you something you set and forgot needs revisiting and revising.The list of things in your VA biz to review, tweak and update regularly.Why the transition from Freelancer to Agency Owner puts a spotlight on your-out-of-date messaging, tools, pricing and more.Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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A question weâre getting asked a lot right now is how the current uncertain economic climate is affecting the VA industry and whether or not that should influence someoneâs decision to launch their business - or stick at their 9-5.
Weâre not here to bullsh*t you or beat around the bush. There are virtual assistants who are thriving, and others who are barely surviving.
Want to know exactly what the VAs who are thriving are doing? Then hit play, cos weâre spilling all the not-so-secret trade secrets.
In this episode youâll learn:
What you need to do to have a thriving VA business in an uncertain economic climate.Why confirmation bias could be the end of your business.How to avoid the feast and famine cycle.Why referrals only get you so far.Book your private Coaching Call here.
Find out more about Launch in 30 Days here.
Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
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Puuttuva jakso?
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In this eye-opening episode, Sam dives deep into her personal journey through perimenopause, revealing why itâs so much more than just the infamous hot flushes.
Grab your tissues and get ready to have your misconceptions challenged around this often-misunderstood phase of life.
With honesty and vulnerability, Sam bravely addresses the mental health challenges that can accompany perimenopause and dispels the myths surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Our hope is that this episode provides clarity and support to women in their 40s who are facing similar struggles.
Join us for a conversation that aims to empower, enlighten and educate, breaking the silence around perimenopause for those who may be suffering in silence.
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns or treatment options.
Trigger Warning: This episode briefly touches on topics related to suicidal thoughts, which may be sensitive to some listeners.
In this episode youâll learn:
The perimenopause symptoms that will surprise you.The defining moment when Sam realised she needed help.How one documentary saved Samâs marriage, and her life.Why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not the villain itâs been made out to be.Resources:
The 34 Symptoms of Perimenopause by Happy Healthy YouMust watch/listen to Diary of A CEO Podcast Interview with Dr Mandy Pelz (Fasting, Hormones, Cycles, Perimenopause)Sex, Myths And The Menopause documentary (Davina McCall)Sex, Mind And The Menopause documentary (Davina McCall)Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Freelance Event & Sponsorship Manager Tania DeJonge from Virtually There took home the biggest crown of the night at this yearâs Thankyou Payroll New Zealand Virtual Assistant Awards, but that's not all!
As well as her deserving win of VA of The Year, Tania is also in the possession of Top Performing VA Freelancer AND Best VA Speciality or Niche for 2024!!
Has it all sunk in yet? Not on your life! Tania is well and truly still in a 'pinch me now, this can't be real' phase of her success.
But that didnât stop one of the most loved VAs in Aotearoa from sitting down with us just days after her big wins to share her inspiring 9 year (and counting!) business journey, the gold nuggies she has for other VAs who are experiencing the same struggles sheâs overcome, and why community and connection are so important in the VA space.
#itsavibe!
In this episode youâll learn:
The niche that changed EVERYTHING!The structured business planning system that helped Tania become an award-winning VA.The reasons Tania kept entering the NZ VA Awards despite never getting past finalist status for 3 years straight.Why Tania moved from an embarrassing low casual hourly rate to fixed fee packages, and how it enabled her to reach $15k revenue months.The perimenopause/menopause symptoms that lost Tania clients and what she advises all VAs do in order to prevent the same happening to them.Connect with Tania from Virtually There here and see how she can help you create epic events that captivate and inspire:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
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Weâve carried out HUNDREDS of website reviews for virtual assistants over the years, helping them to improve their online presence.
And because of all those hours spent scrolling, reviewing and providing feedback we know first-hand the #1 most common mistake VAs are making time and time again when DIYing their site.
Today weâre sharing with you the simple tweak you can make to your website copy guaranteed to ensure you're not losing leads online.
In this episode youâll learn:
The #1 mistake VAs make on their website and how to fix it fast!Build your website in a day! Check out The Essential Website Template (plus tutorials!) for Virtual Assistants here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Little did Sam know when setting her 2024 Word of The Year as âhealthyâ just how drastically that would change her life both personally and professionally.
Sam isnât sharing her journey to shame you into making similar changes in your life or to tell you her way is the only way â âcos itâs not!
Sam is opening up about her journey to getting healthy in all the ways in the hope it will help (maybe even inspire) other women in their 40âs who are having similar struggles.
There is so much overwhelming âwellnessâ noise online that it can do more harm than good, so if this episode helps cut though the stress of not knowing where to start, then we reckon itâs worth opening up so vulnerably.
Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns or treatment options.
Trigger Warning: This episode very lightly touches on topics relating to eating disorders which may be sensitive to some listeners.
In this episode youâll learn:
How Sam lost 35kgs in 9 months without setting foot in the gym or breaking a sweat.Why gut health matters.The life-style changes Sam has made in 2024 to work towards a healthy body, mind, business and family.The downsides of dramatic growth and how to overcome the guilt of being âselfishâ when investing in yourself.The resources and products mentioned in this podcast:
Love Ya Guts Foundation Box (Culvic Humic Concentrate, Organic Bentonite Clay, Methyl Sulfonyl Methane, Liver Detox Tea, Collagen)
Magnesium Oil Spray, Salt Lab
Must watch/listen to Diary of A CEO Podcast Interview with Dr Mandy Pelz (Fasting, Hormones, Cycles, Perimenopause)
Live Cultured Goodness, Wildly
Turmeric Supplements
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
(Although it wasn't mentioned specifically in the podcast, we want to make it very clear that throughout this journey Sam has been seeing her GP regularly for observation and testing ensuring the lifestyle changes she has made were safe ones for her personally.)
Sam + Jo xo
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Yeah, we know. The most annoying thing you can say to an overthinker is for them to stop overthinking đ
Lucky for our overthinking listeners, weâre not just telling you to stop overthinking, weâre telling you WHY your overthinking has made you overlook the very obvious solution to your service offering woes.
Youâre welcome đ
In this episode youâll learn:
The reasons EA services are are fabulous and in-demand niche for the right VAs.The types of virtual assistants who shouldnât call themselves a virtual EA.The benefits for going all in on your virtual EA services.Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Agency owners and sub-contractors. This oneâs for BOTH of you!
This is your friendly reminder that no matter the VA pathway youâre on, itâs likely you can be doing better.
We know you both have your unique frustrations with one another, and boy do we feel for you when the shit hits the fan or youâve simply reached the end of your rope after being let down and disappointed one too many times.
We get it. It's not easy. In fact some days/weeks are so far from easy you may have one foot out the door already. But you've come this far - too far to give up now!
Sam has a unique insight into the issues that often take place between the two of you due to her ring-side seat as Founder of the Virtual Assistant Network of NZ.
To help save Samâs sanity (and your own!) letâs all take a moment to understand both sides. Letâs step into one anotherâs shoes so next time something doesnât go the way you expect you can understand why, learn from it, and do better next time around.
Or even better, pre-empt it!
In this episode youâll learn:
The most common complaints agency owners have about potential team members.The most common complaints potential team members have about agency owners.The things both sides can be doing better so everyoneâs happy!What aspiring sub-contractors can do to ensure they're making a great first impression on the VANNZ Sub-Contractor/Employee Directory.Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Before stepping foot into the VA space we need for everyone to understand the difference between billable and non-billable work.
Just cos you may be available to work X number of hours a week, doesnât mean all of those hours will be spent supporting clients. Anyone that tells you otherwise is delulu.
The reality is, in order to make this VA gig a profitable, successful one where youâre not working more hours than you were in your 9-5 and you're earning more than minimum wage, you can't be spending 100% of your available working hours on billable client work.
It's time to take your head out of the clouds when it comes to your available working hours and how they will be spent so you're accurate when forecasting your future revenue.
In this episode youâll learn:
The percentage of your time youâll need to spend on non-billable work as a Freelancer and Agency Owner.The non billable tasks you need to make a priority.Why your non billable hours increase even more as an Agency Owner.Why working ON your business is equally as important as working IN your business.How to ensure youâre pricing profitably, working at capacity and avoiding the dreaded Feast and Famine Cycle.Get the Ultimate Pricing Calculator for Virtual Assistants here.
Download the Pre-Scale Checklists here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Warning: This episode will make you cringe as hard as you will laugh.
You loved Part 1 so much we decided to record Part 2, this time focussing on the untold, after-dark stories from Julyâs VA retreat in Bali.
Nothing (and we mean NOTHING) was left on the table.
These are all the stories from Bali you didnât know you needed to hear, and stories you probably donât need to hear, but weâre over-sharers, so youâre welcome!
In this episode youâll hear all about:
The meaning behind all the giant wooden đThe dude that picked a fight with a wild monkey.The âDaddyâ travel strategy that works.The drug dealer who saved the day.The cute AF dog that Sam kept dribbling on (yup, you read that right).Plus sooooo much more!Join us at our next lux Retreat for VA business owners here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Welcome to our un-planned, unexpected, live debrief of the 2024 VA Retreat in Bali!
The reason we decided hit record on this very honest, behind the curtain convo?
Well, it turns out this (our regular weekly podcast recording session) was our first opportunity to sit down together since returning home from beautiful Bali, and we thought it would be fun to share the highs (and lows!) of taking 11 VA biz owners along with us for a life-changing retreat experience full of self-discovery and business breakthroughs.
In this episode youâll learn:
How Jo's control freak tendencies almost derailed Bali.How we got the balance right between business and woo-woo.All the reasons we're doing it again in 2025.What we definitely won't be doing again in 2025!Who's having a baby and who needs to shower differently.How you too can lose 4kgs physically and emotionally.Join us at our next lux retreat for VA business owners here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Would you love to have an ongoing, steady stream of leads knocking at your door â all from online networking?
Well, youâd better stop breaking our #1 online networking rule then!
If youâve been guilty of dropping links and running instead of building meaningful relationships and showcasing why youâre the right VA for a potential client, then keep listening âŠ
And if youâre a VA who DMs potential clients without permission or an invitation ⊠watch out âcos Samâs about to slap you sideways!
In this episode youâll learn:
The online networking lead generation strategy that works!Why your unwelcome, spammy DMs are the equivalent of an unsolicited d**k pic.Why dropping links and running is lazy and losing you leads.The biggest mistake you're making with your personal Facebook profile if online networking is part of your lead generation strategy.Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Youâve got problems! Weâve got answers - quick-fire style!
Thereâs no pussy footing around in this episode virtual assistants! Coz whose got time for fluff and beating around the bush? Not you thatâs for sure!
In this episode youâll learn what to do if:
Youâve got clients, but not making money.Clients are saying they canât afford you.Leads are ghosting you.You canât get work out of clients.Youâre only attracting iddy-biddy clients.You have late paying clients.You donât know what to set your prices at.Youâre not getting any leads from social media.Youâre working way more hours than you were in your 9-5.Youâre struggling to find reliable team members.You keep losing clients.Youâre not getting any work from the VANNZ Sub-Contractor/Employee Directory.Your lack of confidence is holding you back from launching your VA biz.Your lead is questioning your contract.You canât find any clients.Take the Whatâs Your VA Pathway Quiz here.
Get the Ultimate Pricing Calculator for Virtual Assistants here.
Buy the Virtual Assistant Service Agreement Template here.
Join us inside Launch in 30 Days here.
Download the Pre-Scale Checklists here.
Join us inside the Scale It Mastermind here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Ask anyone what's the first thing that comes to mind when they think of AI and itâs likely theyâll say âChatGPT!â.
Since its launch 2 years ago other competitors have come to the market, but thereâs no doubt ChatGPT is the most well-known of all the AI tools, and weâre certain itâs the one the majority of VAs are cutting their AI teeth on.
Like any new technology, it's taking users a while to get their heads around how to get the most out of it, so in this episode ChatGPT Queen, Jess Clark, joins us to share her biggest hacks to ensure VAs are training their AI tools to sound like THEM â instead of the 'generic robot on emoji steroids' content currently being pumped out đ€Šââïž.
In this episode youâll learn:
The biggest ChatGPT mistakes we see VAs making.Our crystal ball predictions for AI over the next 1 and 5 years.The anatomy of a great prompt.How to get content out of Chat GPT that sounds exactly like you.Jess's biggest Chat GPT hacks.How to use Chat GPT as your biz bestie and save 10+ hours a week.Join the $7 GPTea Party to learn how to create on-brand, sounds scarily like you business content.
Learn how to Build-A-Bot on Chat GPT in 30 minutes - zero tech skills needed. Build bots that work so you don't have to.
Follow Jess Clark on Instagram
Sam + Jo xo
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Youâre not an expert at everything â and no one expects you to be! We all have our zones of genius and we all need help occasionally to succeed in the things we donât know yet.
But even if intellectually we know this, we still discount â or outright ignore â great advice.
(And yeah, right now weâre specifically talking about our advice that youâre ignoring!)
So the question is why? Why are you ignoring our expert advice? âCos we may not know everything there is to know about everything, but what we do know inside out and back to front is the VA biz. This is OUR zone of genius.
Well, thereâs generally two reasons aspiring and established VAs ignore our advice (even those that pay for that advice!).
The first is that the more confident you are in life, the more you feel like youâve got your shit together, the more likely you are to ignore the advice of others. Yeah, it's an ego thing.
The second reason is fear. You HEAR the advice, you UNDERSTAND the advice, but the actions required to TAKE the advice are scary and hard and youâd rather self-sabotage your success than step out of your comfort zone.
But no matter the reason, if you're struggling with something in your VA business, chances are you simply can't afford to ignore us any longer.
In this episode youâll learn:
The most ignored pieces of advice VAs love to ignore, and the reasons why they shouldnât.Why we only want you to join us inside the next intake of Launch in 30 Days if youâre willing to listen to ALL of our advice!Join us inside the next intake of Launch in 30 Days here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Witnessing a virtual assistant's journey to going all-in on a niche or speciality is a truly beautiful thing, and weâve had ringside seats for Transcend Adminâs rise to VA fame.
VA biz owner Mandy Purdie has found not only her niche â but her calling, and sheâs reaping the benefits both personally and professionally that come from scaling New Zealandâs first (and only!) ADHD-friendly virtual assistant agency.
In this episode youâll learn:
Mandy's secret to an inbox flooded with referrals.How to increase your conversion rate through deeply understanding your ideal clients' concerns, worries and fears.How Mandy sustainably scaled to a team of 5 over 3 years.To find out more about ADHD-friendly virtual assistance, connect with Mandy here:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Are you an aspiring or established virtual assistant agency owner wanting to grow a team while remaining âaffordableâ?
Are you struggling to scale, unhappily working all the hours, unable to fully switch off while taking time off and sick and tired of juggling client work alongside recruiting and managing your team?
Are you reluctant to put up your prices because youâre worried leads will balk at your rates?
If this sounds familiar - you aren't alone!
Itâs cold hard truth time: For the majority of VA agency business owners, it's impossible to scale without premium pricing. And the longer you fight us on this, the longer you will continue to struggle.
In this episode youâll learn:
The team, client and financial issues youâll face as a VA agency owner if you donât have premium pricing.The only agency model that works with pricing that isnât considered âpremiumâ.How to work out a profitable premium rate.How to access the exact steps required to scale your agency successfully.Download the FREE Pre-Scale Checklist for Virtual Assistants here.
Buy the Ultimate Pricing Calculator for Virtual Assistants here.
Join us inside the Scale It Mastermind here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Itâs likely you became a VA âcos you were over the 9-5 grind.
You may have wanted to have more freedom and flexibility than a traditional corporate role allowed you.
Or perhaps your priorities changed since starting your family?
But letâs be honest, you also became a VA to earn a decent income from home!
Otherwise, why bother? đ€·ââïž
So why are there so many virtual assistants out there having to work MORE hours than a 9 â 5 in order to pay the bills?
Why are there so many virtual assistants earning less than minimum wage?!
In this episode youâll learn the 9 reasons why you arenât earning a minimum wage and how to turn things around so that you aren't working all the hours with nothing to show in your bank account.
Sam + Jo xo
Buy the Ultimate Pricing Calculator for Virtual Assistants here.
Join us inside the Scale It Mastermind here.
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Are you really a fully-fledged virtual assistant unless youâve received a âIâve been ghosted đ»" badge?
If being ghosted by a lead, client (or yes, even team member!) hasnât happened yet, in the words of Alexander Hamilton ⊠âJust you waitâ đ€Ș
Being ghosted can often trigger VAs into a spiral of self doubt. Itâs common for the VA to take it personally, question everything and make some massive assumptions.
Having been there, done that, and got the đ» badge more often than we'd like to admit, we can confidently tell you to stop second-guessing and blaming yourself, and start putting some very simple steps in place to prevent it from happening again.
Disclaimer: The ghost prevention strategies mentioned in this episode work 97% of the time. The remaining 3% canât be helped âcos they're Dicks ghosting you whose dick-ness can't be helpedđ.
Youâll learn:
The 5 most common reasons VAs get ghosted and the steps you can take to prevent it from happening.Why âQuick Winsâ and âNice To Dosâ need to be part of your client onboarding process.What to say in your discovery call that makes following them up post-Proposal soooooo much easier.Join us inside the next intake of Launch in 30 Days here.
Join us inside the Scale It Mastermind here.
Sam + Jo xo
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Itâs a cold hard fact that people do business with people, and this couldnât be any more true than inside the virtual assistant industry.
The quicker you can build the know, like and trust factor online the quicker youâll become fully booked with a steady stream of leads knocking at your door.
And the best strategy to achieve this fast is being the face of your business.
The worst strategy to achieve this is hiding behind your business name and logo.
But we get that this is easier said than done for a lot of virtual assistants more comfortable in behind the scenes roles.
This episode is for all the aspiring and established virtual assistants who'd rather make a thousand cold calls than show their face online.
Youâll learn:
The most common reasons youâre reluctant to be the face of your business.Why your lack of confidence on camera is holding your business back.The reframe you need to make in order to feel the fear and do it anyway!Sub-Contractor, Freelancer or Agency Owner?
Your perfect virtual assistant pathway is just minutes away! Take the quiz here.
Sam + Jo xo
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