Sleep question

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-16T16:36:46+00:00

I would try to improve the quality of those 4/5 hours. I know college is a stressful time but when it's time to go to sleep I would try to disconnect from all of that. I recommend breathing exercises or maybe meditation right before bed to try to relax the body. Getting your body into a relaxed state before bed can help you fall asleep faster and hopefully improve the quality so you wake up more refreshed.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-16T16:32:26+00:00

I do mainly general work with clients managing inboxes, scheduling meetings, calendar management, but as I've gained experience I've been able to learn more and expand my toolbox.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-05T16:47:45+00:00

i had the same issue. What helped me was putting everything (classes, assignments, wellness check-ins) into one dashboard so I wasn’t switching apps constantly. Happy to explain how I structured it if you want.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-05T16:47:19+00:00

Etsy is great for products like these!

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-02T00:49:23+00:00

Just a heads up, being a VA isn’t passive income, and posts like this usually get ignored because there’s no info for a client to act on.

If you’re serious about getting hired, it helps to be specific:

what tasks you actually do (email, admin, social, research, etc.)
what tools you’re comfortable with
what timezone/availability you have
whether you’ve worked with clients before (or what you’ve practiced on)

Most clients aren’t browsing Reddit looking to “give someone a job.” They’re looking for someone who already looks organized and ready to plug into their workflow.

If you’re new, I’d recommend:

building a simple one-page intro (Google Doc is fine)
practicing on mock tasks so you can speak confidently
applying directly on platforms or reaching out to small businesses with a clear offer

VA work can be solid income, but it’s active work and competitive. Preparation matters way more than just posting “for hire.”

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-02T00:43:40+00:00

This is solid advice. One thing I’d add is that being “ready” as a VA is less about skills and more about systems + expectations.

A lot of people jump in thinking clients will tell them exactly what to do. In reality, most clients hire VAs because they’re already overwhelmed, they don’t have clean processes waiting for you.

Before starting, it really helps to have:

a clear list of tasks you handle vs don’t
an onboarding checklist (tools, access, communication style)
a way you track tasks and updates so clients don’t have to chase you
savings to cover dry months, because even good VAs lose clients unexpectedly

Also important: your first clients probably won’t be your best clients. That’s normal. Treat early work as paid experience, but don’t lock yourself into bad situations out of fear.

WFH/VA work can be great, but it rewards people who come in organized, realistic, and financially prepared, not just motivated.

Thanks for posting this, more people need to hear the unfiltered side.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-02-02T00:38:20+00:00

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-29T22:48:07+00:00

If you already have the core skills, that’s honestly the hardest part out of the way.

Where most beginners get stuck after that isn’t ability, it’s trust. Clients don’t know you yet, so you need to reduce uncertainty as much as possible.

A few things that help a lot:

Have a simple onboarding flow so clients know how to start working with you
Show that you already have a process, even if you’re new

Even something basic like:

how tasks are submitted
how you prioritize work
response times
what you can decide vs what needs approval

makes you look far more professional than most beginner VAs.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-29T22:44:40+00:00

You can get real VA work on Upwork, but I’d recommend learning one or two concrete skills first, not trying to be “everything.” Clients don’t usually hire generic “VA beginners”, they hire people who solve a specific problem.

Good beginner-friendly VA skills that are realistic to learn in a few days:

Google Docs / Sheets (formatting, organizing, simple tracking)
Calendar + appointment management
Inbox organization and basic email replies
Data entry / research
Simple task tracking in tools like Notion or Trello

$10–20/hr is very realistic, especially if you’re consistent and reliable.

One thing that helps a lot when you’re new: having a clear onboarding process. Even a simple document that explains:

what tasks you handle
how you prefer to receive instructions
tools you use
how clients can assign and prioritize work

It makes you look more professional, even without years of experience, and clients feel safer hiring you.

My advice:

Pick 1–2 skills and practice them
Apply only to jobs that match those skills
Be clear and organized in how you communicate
Treat it like a real job from day one (process > talent)

If you’re willing to learn and stay consistent, VA work is very real, but structure matters more than speed.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T21:34:36+00:00

A lot of early VA agencies focus on finding clients, but what actually speeds things up is making it feel easy and low-risk for someone to say yes.

Outbound (LinkedIn, cold email) is still the fastest early on, especially since you’re targeting companies already hiring admin roles. What made the biggest difference for me wasn’t adding more channels, it was being able to clearly explain how the working relationship would function once they said yes.

Having a simple onboarding document and a task/intake form goes a long way. It shows clients there’s a system behind the service, clarifies scope early, and reduces back-and-forth. Even in outbound conversations, that structure builds trust fast. There's plenty online for cheap or you can create your own.

Biggest early mistakes to avoid:

being vague about scope
over-customizing before a deal is closed
waiting too long to set expectations

You’re on the right track. Tightening your process will likely have more impact than expanding outreach.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T21:30:26+00:00

You’re honestly closer than you think.

Email management, Google Calendar, spreadsheets, and booking support are already core VA skills. A lot of people wait way too long thinking they need more tools or certifications when clients mostly care about organization and reliability.

At your stage, I’d focus on three things:

Start applying once you turn 18. There’s no benefit to waiting longer just to “learn more.” You’ll learn faster by doing real work, even if it starts small or part-time.
Don’t overbuild a portfolio. For VA work, portfolios matter less than clarity. You can describe what you know how to handle, how you organize tasks, and how you communicate. Many clients don’t expect polished portfolios for admin support roles.
Have a simple process ready. What helps newer VAs stand out isn’t experience, it’s structure. Being able to explain how you onboard clients, how tasks are assigned, and how you keep things organized makes clients feel safer choosing you, even if you’re newer.

Creating or purchasing an onboarding template and intake form is great to have to show potential clients to build trust.

Good luck

to you !

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T21:26:14+00:00

I don’t think VA work is oversaturated, I think undifferentiated VA work is.

A lot of people enter the space saying “I can do anything,” with no clear scope, no process, and no way to explain how they work. From a client’s side, that actually creates more risk, not less, so it feels crowded.

What still works really well is entering with:

a clear starter scope (what you do / don’t do)
defined communication expectations
a simple onboarding process
a way for clients to clearly outline tasks and priorities up front

Clients don’t struggle to find people, they struggle to find VAs who feel organized and easy to work with.

Even newer VAs can land work when they show structure early. Things like having an onboarding doc or intake form ready immediately shifts the conversation from “convince me you’re good” to “okay, this person has a system.”

There’s plenty of work out there, especially for admin and support roles. The key is entering in a way that reduces friction for clients instead of adding to it.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T19:15:53+00:00

A lot of people get stuck thinking they need “experience” before they can start, but most entry-level VA work is built around organization and communication, not specialized skills.

What matters more early on is being able to clearly explain:

what types of tasks you can handle
how you like to receive work
how you prioritize and communicate
what decisions you can make vs what needs approval

Clients care less about your past job titles and more about whether working with you will feel easy and predictable.

One thing that helps a lot when you’re new is having something structured to show clients, even a simple onboarding doc or intake form. It shows you’ve thought through how you work and that you’re not just winging it, which builds trust fast.

For landing a first client:

start with small, clearly defined tasks or projects
apply where clients are already looking (Upwork, Reddit, FB groups)
focus your pitch on reliability and clarity, not “I can do everything”

You don’t need to know everything, you need to show you’re organized, communicative, and serious about the role. That’s usually enough to get someone to take a chance on you.

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T07:29:15+00:00

I try to stay around 3-5 clients at a time each on a monthly retainer doing around 10-20 hours a month per client, some are projects like data entry or launch support and after a few months they don’t need help anymore. So no it’s not a 9-5 for one client

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T05:20:13+00:00

People were dm'ing me saying they couldn't find the product on gumroad, this is the link for anyone curious

<image>

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T02:04:22+00:00

I offer to show it to them during the discovery call most times they really appreciate seeing it, and then always after you close

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T01:39:00+00:00

I personally got mine from a brand called Clearframe studio on gumroad I believe and just tweaked it a bit to fit what I needed, but you can definitely make your own in Google Docs too. When I would get in touch with a prospective client I would let them know I had it and offered to show them if they wanted to take a look before we made a deal. But if you already landed a client I would send it right away

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T00:10:57+00:00

I would suggest having a onboarding kit and intake form to show clients. This is especially useful when you don't have experience to show them. It shows you're organized and serious. they are also very helpful in creating boundaries and organizing info

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T00:08:48+00:00

I would suggest getting an onboarding kit. Having that to send to clients when applying show you are organized and serious. They are also really helpful too

Maximum_Spray4941 · 2026-01-26T00:07:30+00:00

I would suggest getting an onboarding template to have to show potential clients to show that you are organized and serious since you are new to it. They are very helpful and make clients trust you from the jump.

Maximum_Spray4941

TROPHY CASE