The Sam + Jo VA Show

Warning! This episode is like being slapped in the face at the Countdown seafood counter with a freshly caught snapper. What is it that you’re pretending to do? What’s the one thing in your business that you’ve gotten so good at either avoiding or half assing that up until reading this, you’d even fooled yourself into thinking you were doing it?! We'll all got something. Yup, even us. Are you pret...

So, finding your own client base isn’t your jam? That’s cool! Sub-contracting to an established virtual assistant business looking to grow their team is a great route to take! But there are some common pitfalls we see sub-contractors in the VA space fall into time and time again. Pitfalls we want you to avoid to ensure you’re making a great first impression. We also share the shocking NO-NOs that...

Are you wondering why most of the leads you’re getting are asking you for discounts? Is it making you second guess your pricing? Or maybe it’s got you worried. Do all clients expect to pay low rates for their virtual support? In this episode you’ll learn: Why you’re attracting leads who want discounts and work done for free The language shift you need to make to STOP attracting these unwanted type...

Everyone’s talking about it! And whether you love it or hate it, Chat GPT isn’t going anywhere. In fact, the reality is, if you try to ignore it, you’re going to be left behind. Professionally our views and the ways we've approached this mind blowing AI tool are very different, but we’re both on the same page about one thing … the impact Chat GPT will have on the VA space. In this episode you’ll l...

Jo knows all of Sam’s triggers and it’s safe to say witnessing first hand VAs bumble their online networking is guaranteed to set her off. But Sam's rants aside, there are some very clear dos and do nots when it comes to successfully networking in online groups. Want to know if you’re causing Sam to either puff up like a proud mother hen or curl up in a ball of shame when it comes to how you’re sh...

Who remembers The Teddy Bears’ Picnic song from when they were kids? You know the one! It’s catchy as all get-out and makes you really want to go have a picnic with something cuddly. “If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise.” Except we’re going to swap that out for: “If you post a job ad on Seek today, you’re sure of a big surprise!” Surprise numero uno being the fact that...

Is recurring revenue on your radar? It should be! Our wish is for all virtual assistants to avoid getting trapped in the feast/famine cycle so many freelancers and small business owners find themselves in. One step in breaking your feast/famine cycle is - you guessed it! - making recurring revenue a priority. Recurring revenue creates predictable revenue and predictable capacity. And who doesn’t w...

You know that annoying friend/family member/colleague/neighbour/acquaintance who’s a chronic naysayer? The one that has no idea what the term ‘virtual assistant’ really means, doesn’t get why you need to be so active on social media, makes you second guess your goals ... and who’s negativity knocks your confidence and has you second guessing your decisions? It sometimes comes from a place of jealo...

From the outside looking in, everything may look peachy. But there’s a reason why 8 out of 10 virtual assistants head back to their 9-5 jobs within 2 years. And the truth of the matter is that the majority of VAs out there are surviving, not thriving. We’ve both been there, barely holding it together. Overworked, overwhelmed and ready to call it quits. But we switched things around … and you can t...

Are you asking for what you need? Whether it’s more clients, more hours, a referral, a piece of content you’re desperate to receive, or that overdue time-sheet from your slow-coach team member, unless you’re specific with what you need from your client/team member/partner/mentor … it’s likely you won’t get it. So starting asking for what you need! (The simplicity of this proven to work strategy is...

Not only is comparisonitis a real word (we checked!), it’s a word you want to avoid at all costs. Why? Because instead of creating a business by design - one which they love and attracts their ideal clients - the VAs we see stuck in a vicious cycle of comparing themselves unfavourably to others in the industry, unsurprisingly end up with a cookie-cutter business that gets lost in the crowd. And wh...

If you’re an on-the-fence sub-contractor with a foot in both camps (e.g. you want to work for other VA businesses AND grow your own client base) then we’re here to tell you that it’s time to pick a path and go all in. It’s time to decide whether you’re content to help grow someone else’s VA biz rather than your own. Because right now it’s likely that you’re either too time poor to find your own cl...

Does it feel like you're putting in the work - and checking all the boxes - but you're STILL not seeing the results in terms of clients knocking at your door? Or maybe leads aren’t the problem, but converting those leads to actual paying clients is? It sounds like you’re missing a vital piece from your own personal Finding Clients Puzzle. But don’t despair! In this episode we share with you the qu...

Did you know that pulling cards has become an integral part of our morning routine? Not only does it fill our woo-woo cup, it provides us with direction for the day ahead, and ensures we’re taking a moment to pause, breathe and reset to work with intention and purpose. So, if you’re in need of some direction, if you’re feeling unmotivated or if you're in a bit of a sticky situation, let us pull a...

If you’re an aspiring virtual assistant who feels like you need to have some sort of certification pronouncing you to be an officially trained VA you need to listen to this episode before you start handing over money left right and centre! We’re here to remind you that it’s VERY likely the skills and experience you already have under your belt are MORE than enough to go out and find yourself clien...

Guess what virtual assistants! Contrary to popular belief, our clients are NOT always right (shock horror!). If you’re always putting your clients’ work, financial needs, goals and success before your own, your misplaced loyalty means you’ll never truly feel fulfilled. So let’s create businesses that we love, which are financially healthy, with healthy boundaries in place, where there’s always tim...

In this highly anticipated episode, we chat all things ‘legal’ with Senior Lawyer Simmi Singh from iCLAW. Get set to throw everything you’ve ever heard about stuffy lawyers and their confusing lawyer speak out the window after listening to this episode on how to navigate the legal bits of your VA business. There’s was nothing left off the table …. even Sam’s infamous trademark enforcement ‘saga’ w...

The great thing about having a coach or mentor is learning from their mistakes so you don’t make the same ones! And boy do we have some doozies to share. So, listen carefully, take notes and get prepped to build a BETTER VA business FASTER – without making the same expensive mistakes we did. In this episode you’ll learn: The biggest mistakes we’ve made in business. The pricing strategy we wish we’...

Are you an aspiring virtual assistant who is right this minute feeling overwhelmed, stressed out and unsure as to what you should be focusing on first in order to launch your biz and land your first client? Kick start your VA dreams by learning the very simple, specific and practical steps that we would take if starting our own VA businesses from scratch today. All without the need for a website,...

In this episode we’re busting all the myths out there about VAs, what it’s like being one and what it’s like working with us! ‘Cos we don’t know about you, but we’re mightily sick of all the assumptions and misinformation out there about the wonderful world of virtual assistants ... some of which are even coming from those inside the industry (sigh). Just starting out on your VA journey? The 7 Ste...

So many of us enter the VA space not knowing the importance of focusing on the fundamentals of running a business - the business basics that are imperative to get right in order to create a healthy, profitable business. We’re unaware of just how important these fundamentals are because more often than not we’ve come from corporate roles where it’s been someone else’s responsibility to worry about...

Are you a freelance/solo virtual assistant who’s doubting your chosen path? Do you compare yourself to VA business owners with teams … only to find yourself lacking? Does it feel like you’re never going to be successful/credible/earn enough by keeping your freelance status and NOT growing a team? Then boy-oh-boy, THIS episode is for you! Just starting out on your VA journey? The 7 Step Start Up Fo...

We love a good quote .. whether it’s being shared to motivate, inspire or teach. But unfortunately there are quite a few well-known ones doing the rounds that can do more harm than good. In this episode we share the top 10 quotes we love to hate, and why they could be causing damage to your VA business. Just starting out on your VA journey? The 7 Step Start Up Formula to Setting Up Your Virtual As...

Have you lost your motivation to get shit done in (or on) your business? Do you wish you could bring back those feelings of enthusiasm and excitement when thinking about the day, week, month or year ahead? Sounds like you’ve lost your mojo … so let’s get it back! There are oodles of reasons you’re currently feeling unmotivated. It could be anything from having taken time off for sickness or leave,...

Recently at the school gates Sam was approached by a lovely woman who said “Excuse me, are you the VA lady?” She had been following us for a while, had come across the podcast, recognised Sam and wanted to share just how much value and knowledge she’d received from listening in. Now as surreal as these moments are for both of us, and without trying to sound like we’ve got big heads, we actually ge...