Mexico's "Last Coast", The Myth of Job Security + 3 Ways to Land Clients ? ?? VEA Open!

Hey friends, happy weekend!

Coming in once more from sunny Puerto Vallarta ??? I've got a lot of hot tips and career advice to share today, along with some insights into sustainable tourism and an interesting model from Mexico's "last coast". Let's dive in! ??

In today's newsletter...

?? The Virtual Excellence Academy Is Open for Enrollment!

?? Three Simple Ways to Land Clients Right Away!

?? Think Piece: The "Last Coast" of Mexico, Costalagre

?? Building Security: The Advantage of a Freelance or VA Career

?? The Virtual Excellence Academy Is Open for Enrollment!

If you've been around for a while, you'll have most likely heard about our highly-esteemed Virtual Assistant and Freelancer training, The Virtual Excellence Academy, as seen in...

It's the training and support community that informs the success and acts as a foundation for some of the most accomplished and in-demand VAs and freelancers out there. And right now:

??THE VIRTUAL EXCELLENCE ACADEMY IS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT!

There are 31 of 50 spots available in this cohort, as 19 incredible humans have already leaped into the next stage of their careers. This is for folks who are ready to dive in head-first and gain the skills, knowledge, support, and opportunities that will have them stand out and succeed in this career. Enrollment is open until next Friday ??

Okay, okay, okay, but what is it?!

In the Virtual Excellence Academy (VEA), expert trainers and I take you through the A-Z of building a successful VA or freelance business - all the while supported by an incredible community. I cover things like:

1. How to have impactful discovery calls and win over dreamy, aligned, clients
2. How to use all the every day, and many advanced, VA tools that will enable you to be confident in serving these clients
3. How to market your business sustainably so that you are not reliant on gig sites and you are fully in control of your direction
4. How to put a price on your services and get paid from anywhere in the world
5. How to overcome mindset blocks, like imposter syndrome, and the fear of failure, so that you can reach greater success and don’t burn out along the way

In addition to a robust, up-to-date learning library that keeps you on the pulse of what's happening in the freelance world, you also get endless exclusive job opportunities at no additional cost, live training, networking events, guest experts, fun challenges and initiatives to support your growth, weekly coworking, and self-care sessions. Our forever-support community is second to none and an integral part of the VEA experience. ??

As I was writing this, I took a peek to check my notifications and saw this, from our wonderful member Mishelle Hurst :

This is just a snippet of this comprehensive program. Consider it less of an online course and more of a pocket ace from which you will refer to and rely on for the entirety of your career. A forever network of abundant opportunity and collaboration. Your business go-to.

By joining the VEA you'll be elevating your reputation as a VA, arming yourself with the knowledge to provide excellent services and experiences, and putting yourself in front of dreamy high-value clients.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VIRTUAL EXCELLENCE ACADEMY AND ENROLL! ??

?? Three Simple Ways to Land Clients Right Away!

I ran a masterclass yesterday (shoutout if you were there!) where I gave away three simple strategies that you can implement right away to help you land awesome clients. These strategies work. And I'm going to give them to you to use now too.

They are:

1. Your Existing Network. Even if you've never worked as a VA before, your existing network matters. The people around you are the people most likely to support your business at the start and can often be a source of your first VA income.
2. Signpost method. You know you walk by a store and it'll have a sign saying 'open' or 'closed'? Well, this method is as simple as that. Go ahead and post on your LinkedIn, FB profile Instagram etc, and tell people you're open for business and accepting new clients for x,y,z. Super simple, most people never do it and it works!
3. Research & refine. Be prepared to change what you're doing to land clients if it's not working. You can research by literally asking people in your target audience what they need help with. After all, only they can tell us for sure. This can look like asking people why they've said no to working with you and implementing that feedback to get things right next time.

While this is merely a brief intro to these three methods, I talked about them in much more depth in the masterclass yesterday. So because you deserve to know how to fully implement them - here is the replay. It'll be available for a couple of days.

Click the class below to start watching immediately - bring a notepad, you'll need it!

WATCH THE REPLAY AND LEARN THE STRATEGIES HERE ??

?? Think Piece: The "Last Coast" of Mexico, Costalagre

As I transition from being a full-time digital nomad, a lifestyle of constantly moving from place to place, to having a home base for part of the year, my perspective on tourism is undergoing a profound transformation. I'm acutely aware of the realities of mass tourism, and I recognize the importance of gaining diverse insights into its outcomes. In our rapidly evolving world, there are often both advantages and disadvantages to consider, ranging from job creation to changes in pollution management, and much more. Amidst this complexity, one crucial aspect that unfortunately often gets overlooked is the impact of over-tourism on the only true home we all share, Mother Nature.

Nestled along the Pacific coast of western Mexico, from Puerto Vallarta in the north (my temporary home) to Manzanillo in the south, lies a hidden treasure known as Costalegre. It's a raw, pristine stretch of coastline that has managed to retain its natural beauty despite rampant tourism all around it. While places like this tend to act as a magnet for deep-pocketed developers and lavish resorts, Costalegre's unique charm remains intact. Up until very recently, you could still eat tacos under a thatched umbrella and not see a man-made structure for miles, but the secret is out.

This secluded coastal haven is uniquely owned and under the care of five dedicated local folks, who serve as its guardians. Together with local communities and government authorities, they've established a set of rules and guidelines to protect this natural gem. So while big-shot developers have their eyes and plans made for the "last coast" of Mexico, it won't be without hoops that they'll make a (hopefully discreet) mark here.

While I applaud these efforts, there's a shadow of concern. In a world where the demands of tourism often overshadow ethical considerations, I fear that good intentions might expire in next to no time, and let's be honest, reusable straws simply won't hit the mark. I fear that the siren call of mass development could compromise the very essence that makes Costalegre special. But who am I to have such fear? Is it because I now live within an hour's drive of this beauty that I feel so enraged at the thought of tainting these views? Surely it plays a part, but like I said, since slowing down, I am taking a more nuanced approach in my thinking about tourism. Costalegre is one such case I feel conflicted about. Just in the last few days alone, I have seen multiple travel news outlets cover it, and influencers populate their Instagram reels with images of this raw, untamed reserve. It only adds to the fear. Perhaps I'm jaded, as many are, and the integrity of the small number of stewards will remain steadfast.

As I take trips up and down the alluring Costalegre, I'll draw inspiration from these devoted stewards of nature, who have kept this place from the masses for decades. Their commitment to preserving this paradise serves as a remarkable example of responsible development. I would like to hope that with the imminent change that's coming, their vision remains, shielding this area from the worst of development while amplifying the best of it. And like any good business model, always aiming for steady and sustainable growth.??

Ps. After 16 years of full-time travel, I'd like to start writing more about destinations, sustainability, culture, and more in these "think piece" sections - yay or no? Hit reply and let me know.

?? Building Security: The Advantage of a Freelance or VA Career

You may have been there: the mere mention of working online as a freelancer and you're met with a chorus of well-meaning, but often misguided concern. The first concern is usually due to a perceived lack of security or stability compared to traditional employment.

In today's job market, folks are being laid off left, right, and center; there's little 'secure' about it. Suppose it's your only source of income! You may find yourself in a bind, and the sudden scarcity may cause you to accept any job available, even if far from ideal.

I'm no financial adviser, but I think we can all agree it's smart to diversify your income. And guess what? That's exactly what VAs and freelancers do. ??

If you get laid off from your job, your income too is let go.

Now, in time you'll have sufficiently secured multiple income streams if working as a freelancer, with three to five clients on long-term retainers (most freelancers serve on average 3-4.5 clients per month). While clients can come and go, it's very unlikely that every client will drop simultaneously. If you lose one, you may still have 2 to 4 others that will comfortably sustain you while you seek income replacement.

The key to building security and stability in digital self-employment is focusing first on sustainability. Here are my top tips for creating a sustainable income:

?? Long-term retainers over short-term gigs. Short gigs are fun, especially if they pay well, but if you want the security of a fairly set amount every month, having multiple long-term clients on retainer will be your best bet.

?? Understand your capacity. Knowing your genuine limits regarding work and the kind of rates or clients you're willing to accept is step one in preventing burnout.

? Set boundaries. This can be a tough one, but crucial. Have clear boundaries for yourself and your clients about your working conditions and what's acceptable.

?? Time allocation for top-tier work-life balance. This is a blend of capacity and boundaries, but transparent time allocation, be it by day or hour, will help you set expectations without sacrificing your lifestyle or life priorities.

?? Master the art of saying no. The VA market is not oversaturated; it's very much in the growth phase with a wealth of opportunities available - some will be a better fit than others. Prepare yourself to decline offers that don't align.

These are advantages that VAs and freelancers have that not many tend to focus on. Multiple income streams help you build security and allow you to be more discerning in the clients you work with and the work you do, leaning into what lights you up! See the example below of a winning retainer client setup ????

If Josy decides to close her business or doesn't need your help anymore, you're still earning $6000 a month - that's a good place to be in while you tap into the power of your network to source replacement (if you choose to at all - maybe you enjoy the extra time!).

This is the kind of setup we help you work toward in the VEA. This is what many of our members have been able to achieve and we are here ?? for ?? it ??!

?? THAT'S A WRAP!

Thanks for reading friends! Doors to the VEA are open for the next week, I'll be in touch again soon with more freelance fabulousness and sharing case studies from many of our VEA graduates, so you can be sure to make an educated and informed decision about this investment in your career.

Feel free to message me with any questions! ??

Hannah

P.S. Enrollment to the Virtual Excellence Academy is now open. There are 31 of 50 available spots to claim. When you join our full VA and Freelancer training program, you gain exclusive access to high-paying jobs, an engaged and empowering support community for years to come, and a robust, up-to-date learning library - all for a one-time flat fee. If you want to learn to build a profitable and fulfilling career of your own design, look no further.