“Age is just a number.”
This is true indeed for Liberty Baldovino, the person behind The Youthful Granny VA blog. Her blog name is an apt description of what she is: she is youthful, a granny to 3 grandkids, and a virtual assistant for 4 years.
Libay’s story is a very inspiring one. She learned how to use the computer when she was 42 and now at 51, she is earning more income as a fulltime VA. She is proof that millennials are not the only ones who are tech-savvy. Anyone who is eager to learn, regardless of age, can be a virtual assistant.
There is life after retirement, leaving the corporate world, or after becoming a senior citizen. It is possible to still earn and not just rely on SSS pension because in online work, there is no age limit.
In this podcast/Skype chat, Libay and I discussed:
- How Libay Started as a VA/freelancer
- Her 25 years of corporate/teaching career with journalism background before she became a fulltime freelancer
- How she built her profile and portfolio at Odesk/Upwork
- Struggles she experienced when she first started as a freelancer
- Advise to viewers/listeners who want to be a fulltime freelancer
- How she transitioned from being a writer to being a VA
- Quality and professionalism are key to raising your hourly rates
- How she takes care of her clients
- Monday evening is the best time to apply at Upwork
- Tips on how people in their 40s onwards can start to learn to be a freelancer
- Her typical day handling 5 clients
- Skills that a VA needs to learn and master
- Her vision for her blog The Youthful Granny VA
How non-millennials can start their journey as a virtual assistant:
- Learn how to use the computer.
- Make friends with Google.
- Learn Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
- Once you’re comfortable with your work, learn specific apps such as Hootsuite and Buffer app.
More tips:
- Keep a planner and list down all that you need to do to help you remember.
- You can spend more time with your family but remember that you are working. You should not be doing household chores.
- Take a lot of tests at Upwork.
- Practice non-stop learning. Sign up for courses, attend seminars and workshops.
Key Takeways
Never resign and be a full-time freelancer if you have no savings. You will have no established contracts in the first few years so you will need savings to tide you over until your contracts become stable.
Critical thinking is important for a VA and writer. You have to be proactive and be creative in finding ways to accomplish things.To keep long-term clients, deliver high quality results with a strong sense of professionalism.
There is no age limit for online work. Libay wants to inspire people her age through their children. There’s life after 50 and people can be financially independent through working online.
Quotes
“Never, ever resign until you have enough savings.”
“It all stems down to the quality of your work.”
“Under promise, over deliver.”
“Ang kalaban mo sarili mo, hindi ibang tao. Ikaw ang magpapagaling sa sarili mo at ikaw din ang magiging kalaban ng sarili mo.”
“If you want to have clients to stay long with you, practice excellence in your work… Your clients deserve that.”
“Online work is for anyone and everyone who has the skills and is willing talagang mag work and dedicate their time.”
Links & Resources
- Facebook Page
- Hootsuite
- Buffer
- Libay’s email
- The Youthful Granny VA blog
- You can also watch the podcast interview at Freelance Blend TV
Watch out for Libay’s workshop: Win-Win Relationships with clients on August 6 at the Freelancer office. Details to follow.
Are You Ready to Become a Freelancer?
If you are really serious about becoming a freelancer, you should first start with the tools of the trade.
I will make your life easier by handing you more than 30 of the latest and greatest applications, software and websites that I, and even some of the most amazing freelancers, use on a day-to-day basis to become a more productive freedom entrepreneur.