How I Started My Freelance Career: My Story

After several years of working in Japan in the entertainment industry, I decided to try my luck in the corporate world back home. I’ve worked in a variety of firms where professional activities and administrative work are performed. However, after 13 years in the corporate sector, I decided to pursue a different career path. 

Japanese Girl 

I've been curious about virtual assistant since I first heard about it, but I've never had the courage to take the plunge before. I had read several testimonials from people who had worked from home and were all pleased with the outcome. Additionally, I would hear from other people and close friends how much they enjoyed working from home, and it seemed so simple and practical. Honestly, I've always liked the concept of working from home because I consider myself a homebody and an introvert. Although it would seem unusual given that all of my prior professions required providing customer service and constantly engaging with clients, you will do whatever it takes to overcome your anthropophobia and social anxiety disorders to be able to earn a living and support your family.

Taking The First Step

While still working full-time in 2019, I decided to take a few short online courses with Filipino Virtual Assistance to learn more about freelancing and become familiar with its tasks and responsibilities. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and e-Commerce piqued my curiosity. One of our training assignments was to submit job proposals to Upwork and OnlineJobs.ph job posts pertaining to the courses we were studying at the time. Since I am proficient in Japanese, I made a job proposal to a Japanese client to work as a product lister for her e-commerce store. Fortunately, I received a response from the client without having to go through the interview process. The Japanese client had already sent me a manual with detailed instructions on how to upload the product list to her e-commerce store, as well as guidelines for editing the product images. Upwork sent me a contract which marked the beginning of my job as a virtual assistant. It was merely part-time work with a low wage of $60 per month, but my main objective was to get experience and some additional income for a while. After a few months of working with my first client, I earned the “Rising Talent” badge from Upwork and I felt a sense of accomplishment. I spent almost a year working with my Japanese client until she decided to end our contract. 

I also have explored copywriting as a side hustle, writing content for the websites of flower shops across Europe. I was paid $30 for each webpage's content I created. After learning that the agency was being paid more than their virtual assistants who completed the entire task, I made the decision to quit.

Copywriter

The Covid-19 Pandemic Changed My Career Completely

It's been nearly two years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the entire world. The Covid-19 outbreak completely upended the lives of many people and had a major impact on the labor market. People felt impelled to leave work abruptly and devote their attention to themselves instead. Almost every company was impacted in some manner since many companies laid off workers as a result of the unanticipated reduction in revenue. Some businesses were compelled to shut down totally. Others were obliged to reduce their workforce. But for me, the biggest impact was that it forced me to change my career completely.

When the outbreak started, it seemed no matter if the location was open or not, nobody wanted to step foot inside.

Customers avoided eating out due to fear of getting sick.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, I worked as a Legal Secretary at Dialo & Sarmiento Law Office, which provides notarial services to passport applicants at the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs in Aseana Macapagal, Philippines. In March 2020, the national government has imposed a community quarantine in Metro Manila and the entire Central Luzon. Global travel restrictions and social distancing measures were put in place in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus. All businesses were compelled to cease operations. My family was devastated since we desperately needed money to survive. On the lighter side of things, I'm somewhat relieved since I won't have to travel to work and risk contracting the virus. I’m worried about my spouse and son more than anything else, both of whom have medical issues. I don't want to endanger their lives by bringing the virus home as I’m always in close contact with commuters and passport applicants. My spouse was diagnosed with vertigo and underwent arm surgery after slipping and breaking a bone in his left arm in 2019. While my son had a stroke in 2016, he is currently on his maintenance medications to control his cholesterol and prevent another stroke attack.

Since we all have to spend the entire day at home, I didn’t waste any time. I submitted countless job proposals to prospective clients on several freelancing websites. It was initially difficult because of the intense rivalry caused by the huge pool of potential freelancers around the world. It feels like I'm competing against a vast field of qualified individuals while I'm just starting out as a freelancer. Three months had gone, but I had not given up on submitting proposals to clients. I was consistently on the shortlist of candidates and was interviewed by various clients. But I was still unsuccessful. I told myself that freelancing was probably not for me and that if our company reopened in June, I would go to work regardless of the risks I would face. But prior to the reopening of business and companies in June 2020, I got hired by a Canadian client and then the rest is history…

Resigning From My Corporate Job

It is not always easy to resign from a job. You may have excelled at your previous job, but if that was the only thing holding you back, resigning may be exactly what you need to move forward with a fresh start. I have been with the company for almost 9 years and I have no complaints about my bosses because they are extremely nice and I've known them for a long time. Aside from Covid-19, my primary reasons for leaving my job are the daily ordeal of getting up early and battling traffic, as well as how the toxic nature of the workplace has gotten worse over the years.

As the quote goes, “It’s a difficult thing, but there are times when moving on with your life starts with a goodbye.” I resigned from the company as I opened a new door of opportunity and a new chapter in my life. I view myself leaving my old job as the beginning of a new adventure – not the end.

Remembering My Late Grandmother After Everything I've Been Through

In my current endeavors, my late grandmother is my greatest source of motivation and inspiration. She has encouraged me to be the best person I can be, to not only strive for but also to achieve my goals. When I was a child, I remember her incredible dedication, talent, abilities, and diligence in whatever she did. In order to make my grandmother a full-time housewife, my late grandfather, who was a jealous guy, forbade her from working at the office. Rather than being upset, my grandmother worked from home to put her skills to use and earn her own money. How? She had a sewing machine and could make trousers and outfits, crochet, cook great meals, and accept customers' orders. Her customers come to our house to place their orders and pay for her services. As a result of her abilities, she attracted a significant number of clients and made money. That's when I realized that, even back then, anyone could work and earn money from home.

My Late Grandmother, Lola Mildred Bernal

My Current Virtual Assistant Job

In 2021, I started working as a full-time freelancer for a German company through Upwork, and I'm loving my work so far. Working from home has given me the ability to work at my own pace, spend more time with my family, and save money on commuting. In addition, I have earned a "Top Rated" badge on Upwork, which I am very proud of. I believe that If you work exceptionally hard, you will succeed.

Opening a New Door of Opportunity: It's Now or Never

A great career change offers us many opportunities to learn new skills, build new networks, and advance our careers. In addition to learning something new, a good career transition is often accompanied by exciting changes in our lives. That fresh start gives us a chance to plan for the future and gives us the confidence we need to make big goals happen. A successful career transition might mean changing industries, starting over, or becoming an entrepreneur. Whatever the case, take advantage of what you have learned at your last job and use those experiences to help propel yourself forward.

You don't have to wait until you leave your current job to start making plans. Now is the perfect time to think about how you want to change your career path, and if you've already decided, then you're ready to go. Your new career will be waiting for you once you decide it's time to move forward!

VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE: A New Home-Based Career Option

Modern technology has made it possible to accomplish everything online, including shopping, paying bills, researching different topics, determining where to travel, interacting with loved ones abroad, finding long-lost relatives, viewing movies or videos, getting an education online, and more. However, the most important use of technology nowadays is the ability to apply for jobs online. The internet has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for stay-at-home parents, retirees, and individuals who are looking for a means to make money or find a full-time home-based job.

Virtual assistance is becoming increasingly popular among companies or employers looking for qualified or highly skilled individuals to help them manage various aspects of their business. Job seekers typically apply for virtual assistant opportunities on freelancing websites such as Upwork, OnlineJobs┃ph, Fiverr, and a variety of others. Jobseekers may use these websites for free to create their own profile, post their CVs, and then browse through job postings. Since companies may easily evaluate resumes of job hopefuls online, your CV should be prepared to impress a potential employer. A resume's objective isn't just to highlight your skills; it should also reflect your experience in a professional manner. Always remember to put yourself at the top of your list because once you get a few projects under your belt, those will lead to more opportunities!

In this blog post, we'll explore what virtual assistants do, the skills they need, and the benefits of this career option.

Virtual Assistant and Its Services Explained

According to Investopedia, a Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor who provides administrative services to clients while operating outside of the client's office. A virtual assistant typically operates from a home office but is able to access the necessary planning documents, such as shared calendars, remotely. People employed as virtual assistants typically have several years of secretarial or office management experience.

A virtual assistant can provide the following services, to name a few:

1. Email management. Email management is, without a doubt, one of the most difficult tasks for any business owner. Emails are only one of the many things to manage while operating a business. As a busy person, you may not have enough time to deal with all of your emails manually. Fortunately, a virtual assistant can help you automate this time-consuming activity and save you time and energy by managing all of your emails for you. Instead of going through each one, the virtual assistant will be able to scan spam folders, separate junk mail from legitimate messages, generate and send newsletters, update social media pages, and much more.

2. Customer Service. Building positive relationships with clients is the most essential issue for any small business owner. They want to establish a strong reputation and gain loyal customers by providing exceptional service and communicating effectively. As a result, they should always try to provide excellent customer service. This means that the organization must engage highly qualified professional virtual assistants who appreciate the value of customer service and happiness. A company that provides excellent customer service typically benefits from improved client satisfaction and repeat business.

3. Data Entry. Most people are unaware that, even though computers can perform data entry, humans are still required to fill out forms and enter information into databases. This profession necessitates patience and precision. The virtual assistant's responsibility is to ensure that their clients receive accurate work and to enter data from numerous sources into databases, spreadsheets, or other software tools. Computer keyboards, touch screens, and pen-based devices may be used by data entry professionals. Depending on the nature of the organization, they may work full-time or exclusively on specialized projects. In some circumstances, the same person may perform multiple sorts of data entry tasks.

4. Graphic Design. A graphic designer is responsible for designing graphics for a company’s marketing materials including logos, business cards, advertisements, brochures, direct mailers, websites, etc. A good graphic designer should have an excellent visual sense, a well-developed eye for detail, and the ability to think creatively with respect to layout, typefaces, color combinations, and design concepts. Graphic designers create images using computer and software programs. They may use traditional drawing tools, photoshop, illustrator, or any combination thereof.

5. Social Media Management. Social media accounts are a necessity if your client wants to make sure that their brand stays at the forefront of their target market. Even though they don’t require much time, a virtual assistant or a social media manager is someone who manages the social pages and responds to comments so your client isn’t missing out on anything. Managing social media platforms requires extensive knowledge of programming, software, and networking. A good SMM should have a strong understanding of digital marketing technology, be able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, and understand audience behavior. Additionally, they need to be proficient at using various tools including social media management programs, SEO and PPC, and use analytics to evaluate performance.

6. Copywriting. Whether you're writing a blog post or a basic website, having an effective copy will help you communicate exactly what you want to say without any ambiguity. Working with a writer that specializes in creating good content for small or large enterprises is the best option here. Words and phrases, captions, titles, descriptions, and even images are all part of their work. They may also develop advertising campaigns and brand strategies. A skilled copywriter should be able to write well and pay attention to detail. They understand how to use their voice in a variety of ways to successfully express messages.

Knowing your specialty, your abilities, and the services you will provide to your client or company are important if you want to work as a virtual assistant. If you have experience managing administrative responsibilities in the company, you may be a good fit for this career. You can read a lot about virtual assistants on the internet to gain additional knowledge about the responsibilities or services listed above. If you've discovered the right niche for you, master it.

Why Stressful Traffic Jam is More Painful than Stepping on a Lego

One of the primary reasons why some people prefer to work from home is traffic. Traffic congestion causes delays and problems for businesses and individuals. Many commuters spend hours commuting daily to their places of employment. They leave early in the morning and arrive home after dark. This makes getting to and from work stressful, especially during peak commute times. Other commuters are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. And many others never even get to work on time.

During the workweek, I typically rise as early as 3:30 a.m. to give myself enough time to get dressed, drink a cup of coffee, and catch the early bus. I've witnessed commuters battle their way to get onto a crowded bus at an early hour in order to get to work on time. Employees that commute to work every day deal with stress or are required to make significant sacrifices. Due to the overwhelming number of passengers, a commuter must become adept at standing inside a crowded bus and must exercise unending patience. And even if your work is about to start when you arrive at your workplace, you appear exhausted and as though you have been working all day.

Traffic Jam

What You Need to Know About the Benefits of Working From Home

Working from home is becoming more and more common among people all over the world due to its many advantages. Being able to manage your time well is one of the best aspects of working from home. As a result, you won't necessarily feel confined to spending all day in front of a computer. You won't need to get up early to get to work. Additionally, you won't be exposed to your coworkers' unpleasant habits and personality traits since you won't have to interact with them. When you work from home, you'll certainly find it easier to focus and concentrate on any task related to your job while being able to take breaks anytime.

Here are some of the top reasons why working from home is beneficial

1. Save Time and Spend Less. The most significant advantage of working from home is that it saves you a lot of time. Even if you can work from home and enjoy your life and family, the amount of time you spend commuting to and from work will be greatly reduced. Furthermore, you won't waste time traveling or dealing with irritating traffic, so you'll spend less altogether. When you work from the comfort of your own home, commuting expenditures are eliminated entirely.

2. Flexible Hours. If you wish to work remotely while still maintaining a social life, flexibility is an important factor to consider. By working when it makes sense for you rather than following strict office hours, you can maximize productivity throughout the day. Flexibility in scheduling is becoming increasingly common among workers around the world. As this trend continues, we expect to see additional benefits associated with remote work including increased employee satisfaction and reduced stress levels.

3. Freedom. When you work from home, it doesn't matter if you finish your project on time or early. You can take breaks whenever you please, even if it means taking a nap instead of going out for coffee. You can eat lunch whenever you feel hungry, and you can do whatever makes sense for you, whether it's exercising, reading, watching TV, or cleaning the house.

4. Improve Health. You'll be happier since you won't have to sit in front of a computer all day. Sitting at your desk for an extended period of time can cause back pain and potentially lead to chronic health problems. Not only that, but standing up every now and then can help avoid obesity.

5. Fewer Distractions. It's hard to focus on anything at work if you're constantly bombarded by coworkers who seem to be chatting nonstop. Your workplace may become less distracting if you work from home. In fact, you can enjoy having your cat on your lap as you work or listening to music that you enjoy.

6. You Can Make More Time for Yourself and Family. Many people complain about feeling pressured when they leave work. They claim they merely want to unwind. However, if you choose to work from home, you will have more free time to do what you enjoy while spending time with your family. Schedule breaks, go on walks, and stay in touch with the people you care about. Working from home may be a healthy and enjoyable experience if you plan ahead of time.

BUT... 

There are some disadvantages too, though. For instance, you usually won't earn enough to live comfortably off of just doing online jobs. Additionally, the competition is high, and getting clients can be challenging. So, before you commit to freelancing full-time, consider whether it's right for you and your lifestyle. And always remember to keep an eye out for scams — there are many people looking to get ahead through deception.

Here's a Piece of Advice

If you wish to pursue a job as a virtual assistant, viewing YouTube training videos, participating in free online tutorials, or enrolling in online courses will greatly assist you in developing your abilities or talents. Surge Freelancing Marketplace (formerly known as Filipino Virtual Assistance) is highly recommended because they offer outstanding online courses at very reasonable prices. There are also a lot of websites that offer affordable online courses for aspiring freelancers.

Knowledge is the best investment in this industry because it will boost your earnings and financial stability. You only need to develop your abilities and skills to take advantage of the many opportunities available in the freelance world.

My Final Thoughts 

You should never think that becoming a virtual assistant will all be easy. This may sound trite but it's true - many people get excited when they see someone else making a lot of money online, but they forget that they are not doing anything remotely similar and the reality is, it doesn't happen that way. It takes years of hard work and persistence to reach that goal. That said, you shouldn't give up too soon. Remember that your goals aren't always going to look like those of others. 

As Flavia Weedn puts it, “If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again.” Failure is definitely a part of any journey, but quitting is not something anyone wants to think about. No matter what happens, never ever give up on your goals and dreams. Always believe in yourself and work hard even though everything seems hopeless at times. This is what makes someone great.