Alrighty friends!

Let’s go through all the tools and tech I use as a Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager.

I’ll be updating this post pretty frequently, so it’ll stay an up-to-date masterlist.

Last updated: 8/4/2021

Disclosure: Items marked with * contain an affiliate link! I receive a small commission if you visit a link and buy something I listed here. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust and genuinely use in my biz!

THE LIST:

Hardware:

• Apple iMac
• Keyboard
• iPad Pro + Apple Pencil
• iPhone 12
• Apple Airpods
• Phone stand (from our Etsy!)
• iPad Stand (from our Etsy!)
• Bullet journal
• DX Racer desk chair (my specific one isn’t sold anymore)
• Fountain Pen (literally the best purchase I ever made)
• Pen (I got mine in Japan)
• Markers (I got mine in Japan)
• Pencil case (I cannot find a link to buy; I bought this in Tokyu Hands in Tokyo!)

Software:

• Canva* – graphic design, social media posts
• Final Cut Pro – video + audio editing
• Google Suite – file storage, online docs, forms etc
• Rev.com – subtitles + transcription
• Repurpose.io – publish podcast clips + episodes
• Asana – task manager
• Slack – business groups chats
• Lastpass – password manager + sharer
• Bitdefender – antivirus (particularly good for Macs)
• Quicktime – screen recording
• Tailwindapp – social media scheduling app
• PayPal – send + receive payments/invoices
• Kajabi – eCourses, mailing lists, website, funnels
• ActiveCampaign – mailing lists
• Teachable – eCourses
• WordPress* – website builder, blogs, online shops
• Hover – buy domain names
• Squarespace – website design
• Wix – website design

Books:

• DotCom Secrets – Russell Brunson
• Phrases That Sell – Edward W. Werz and Sally Germain
• More Words That Sell – Rick Bayan
• My Shining Year Workbooks – Leonie Dawson

eCourses, LECTURES + CONFERENCES:

• Unpacking White Feminism – Rachel Cargle
• Plan Your Next Launch (12 Month Launch Map Maker) – Anne Samoilov
• 40 Days to Create and Sell Your eCourse – Leonie Dawson*
• Money, Manifesting + Multiple Streams of Income – Leonie Dawson*
• Mindset to Diamond – Jacinta Ojwang
• Plan Your Heart-Centered Biz in 5 Days – Mona Lisa Ondevilla
• Bullet Journal Gang – Katie Chappell

When I first started my VA business back in March 2018, I did not have all of the above.

I started with a 2012 Macbook Pro, Canva and iMovie.

By the time I landed my third client around September 2018, I was still using a Macbook Pro, Canva and iMovie, but also learnt how to use Infusionsoft (I think it’s called Keap now? Either way I honestly do not like it and do not recommend) and WordPress (I love WordPress).

At the beginning of 2019 my old faithful; the 5 year old Macbook Pro which had seen me through a Bachelors Degree, half a Masters and hundreds of hours of Youtube officially became unusable.

So I saved up and upgraded to my iMac. This also meant not more working from bed; a modern day tragedy but alas, healthier.

Throughout 2019 the pace really picked up and I started adding more and more tools to my toolkit.

I supported a client’s launch on Teachable, I started doing more and more complicated editing which required me to upgrade to Final Cut Pro, another client transitioned to Kajabi (no! more! Infusionsoft! 🙏🏼), the start of a client’s podcast meant I was now using rev.com, repurpose.io and Buzzsprout.

The point I’m trying to make is:

If you are thinking about starting up your own VA business, you do not need all the bells and whistles.

Like my God, not only did I have nothing when I started, I had also been in serious car accident 4 months prior that I was (and still am) trying to recover from (an accident left me permanently disabled) and I had just had serious knee surgery 2 WEEKS prior to starting.

I just knew that I had good organisational skills, even better communication skills and an eye for creativity and graphic design. So I launched my business based on my strengths, and then just learnt along the way.

I made a commitment to myself and my clients that I would continue to learn and educate myself.

Anything I don’t know how to do, I research. I google for answers, Youtube tutorials, join FB masterminds, and basically just ask lots and lots of questions until I can figure it out.

So if you’re wanting to be a VA but think you don’t have the “skills” or the “tech”, I say to you:

Focus on one thing. One thing you know you’re already decent at. It might be copywriting, graphic design, customer service; it doesn’t matter. Market yourself and that one thing, and from there you can grow.

The real tragedy would be not getting started at all.

💜
Zita

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