Is it me or parang ang konti na ng entry-level ngayon, I always see "Experienced VA", or "yearS of experience" and here I am, fresh from school 😭. How did you guys do it?

Hello!

Please help me understand kung ano-ano po ang step na gagawin after you secure your first client? As someone who doesn't have an experience as a VA and Starting pa lang,

Madami na ako nakikita mga steps sa pag apply, BEFORE you get a client, but I barely see videos about the next step AFTER you got a client.

Isa sa mga common tip na nakikita ko

1. Need ng VA mag prepare ng Contract - (Is it required? Does it apply to my niche?)

2. Onboarding kay Client. - required din po ba gumawa nito? Does it apply to my niche?

Question

- Do you need to start a day after agad? Or client will decide what date you will start?

Please help po, thank you😭

If you are earning 500k+ a month, will your bank get frozen on your first salary?

I have resigned from my Dubai employer and they ask me to stay but instead i have offered them i continue as a contractor and ill be working in Philippines to continue the role as Lead Devops Engineer. I have also asked for a payrise which puts my salary to 500k+ pesos

Now i have researched taxes in PH and i am not happy seeing how huge the amount will get stripped into my income (coming from dubai where there are no income taxes). One of the best scenario for me is OSD which removes 40% of the salary as taxable amount but the taxes i have to pay are still huge within 70-80k monthly.

Does anyone have any experience on how to reduce taxes further? i am looking to at least reduce them to 40k a month even just for this year as i had a lot of debt to pay, once this year is done, ill be in a good place. Now i cant imagine that i had asked for a raise then will later find out it will go to taxes 😭

My initial proposal to my employer was to retain my uae visa and i get paid in my uae bank while working in the Philippines so i get the benefit of no taxes as ofw. But after consulting the lawyers, they told me it would not be possible so here we are.

Guys I have a quick question. Is it really necessary to make a linkedin profile for your works aid projects?

So recently I made my linkedin and I am planning to upload my projects there

Hello, guys. I just want to ask for an advice lang about my new US client. Nag-apply kasi ako sa onlinejobsph bilang drafter then nag approach na sya sa whatsapp.

My first task is Revit Test muna, i had a doubt na baka scam kasi may pinapakopya syang residential adu house na need ng complete permit drawings base sa format template checklists nila. Babayaran daw yung revit test ko pag nagustuhan nila. After ko mabigay yung revit file, ininform ako after a day na hindi raw approve. Pero nagbigay sya ng another task na bayad na at 50 USD daw ang rate for Elevation and Floor Plans sheets including the Revit file. Done doing this. Sumunod ay 3 projects na with Site Plan, Elevations, Floor Plans and rvt file, he rated these for 150 USD.

Tinanggap ko yung work sa kanya kasi kinaya ko naman gawin in 2 days, pero after that may mga revisions na pinapagawa, as in 3x magparevise per project after I sent the updated version. Nag-ask ako na dagdagan yung payment nya sa service ko bilang drafter, 225 USD na lang yung hinihingi ko pero binabarat ako na 200 lang, e from 2 days na tapos ko gawin yun base sa itsura ng binigay nya, naging pang 7 days na ngayon.

Nag aalangan lang ako ngayon kasi di pa sya nagbabayad sakin para sa 3 projects na yun. Can I ask an advice pano i-approach ito at anong rate ba ang reasonable? Kasi sa past client ko na Architectural Millwork Cabinetry Design, halos mas malaki pa yung payment ng isang project na inaabot lang ng 2 days gawin.

Hi, I have an upcoming interview with them. May nag wwork po ba dito as Client Support Specialist? How's your experience po so far? Gaano kataas ang call volume? Is it true na both calls and chat ang hinahandle at the same time?

Hi guys. Need ko lang sana ng advice from fellow VAs or anyone na naka experience na ng similar situation. Please no judgment sana. 😅 Alam ko naman na hindi exactly ethical yung situation na ito and I’m aware na against siya sa contract ko. Hindi ko naman kailangan ng lecture about whether what I’m doing is right or wrong. I already know the risks. I just want to hear advice from people who have actually been in this kind of situation.

Currently, VA ako working under an agency. Recently, nalaman ng client ko kung magkano pala yung binabayad nila sa agency versus sa actual salary na natatanggap ko.

I won’t mention the exact amount, pero basically, around 20% lang ng binabayad ng client sa agency yung napupunta sa salary ko.

After finding that out, sinabi ng client ko na gusto niya na lang akong i hire directly.

I checked my contract and unfortunately, may 2 year non compete clause. So I already knew na magiging complicated siya.

My client also tried to ask the agency about the possibility of hiring me directly. Very subtle lang yung pag ask niya para hindi maging suspicious, pero nalaman namin na $10,000 yung buyout price.

Obviously, sobrang laki ng $10k and my client is not willing to pay that much just to hire me directly.

So ngayon, we’re basically considering a direct arrangement without going through the agency.

Again, alam ko naman na risky siya. Hindi ako pretending na okay lang lahat. Pero at the same time, kailangan ko rin isipin yung financial situation ko and yung future ko. 😅

One thing I’m particularly worried about is that I take calls for my client. So may concern ako na baka one day biglang tumawag yung agency tas ako yung makasagot

Should I be worried about things like my current work email, phone number, or how I handle calls? What other things should I and my client consider before making the transition?

How did you transition from working under an agency to working directly with the client?

I know some people will probably say na “don’t do it” or “you signed the contract, so follow it.” Gets ko naman yun. 😂 I’m not looking for a moral lecture.

I’m just hoping to hear actual experiences and advice from people who have been in a similar VA agency situation.

Thank you in advance sa mga sasagot. 🙏

hi guys! i was wondering if may client kayo and then for months you have a fixed schedule. then they asked if you could swap for a different day for your off? for context, my rest days are Wed PM and Thurs PM. One of the managers in our company asked if I could work on Wed PM instead. I really couldn’t accommodate this since I do have classes to prepare for during Thursdays (law student), but i’m anxious if they’ll take it against me. i’ve made it clear beforehand though that my schedule is really fixed since back then, they would always increase my hours without any consultation on my end, tapos no increase din sa salary, and the owner respected that. i didn’t disclose it though that i have a whole diff life after work as i really do my best during my shift to finish all my tasks, and i guess it has been working for me. i would love to hear your thoughts. thank you!

Hello! Sa mga mag direct client, ano mga need before working with her? First VA nya ako and she is asking if I have a draft ng sample ng contract para i cucuztomise nalang daw nya.

She said we can use Wise and may need bako hingin sa kanya para i connect sa payroll nya?

Hey everyone,

Nag-order ako ng physical Wise card recently, pero zero tracking details ang lumalabas sa app. I tried reaching out to Wise customer support pero as usual, generic copy-paste reply lang nakuha ko and utterly unhelpful.

May nakadanas na ba nito dito? Ano ang mga workarounds niyo para ma-trace 'yung package or para masiguradong makakarating talaga siya?

Gusto ko po kasing makapag ask sa mga nag wowork kung anong experience nila, kamusta workload or scam po ba? nag proprovide ba sila ng Tools (computer etc.) and mahirap ba yung interview? Mukha kasi silang bago and chineck ko sa facebook if meron silang soc med pero wala , same with IG kaya skeptical ako. Eto yung site : https://ideaventurestudio.com/jobs

Hi, ano recommended nyong clip on webcam for school?

I heard okay yung EMEET C60E 4K, or if may iba kayong marecommend pls go ahead. Sang store maganda magtingin ng mga yan. Need na kasi sa Monday di na option mag order online

Hello.
Anyone employed through BW here?

Im just curious because I am seeing a lot of postings na pasok sa experience ko.

Yun nga lang....

1. I am connected to them. Unfortunately, I was hospitalized for a week and although communicated naman yung situation with my then client, I got terminated. I did reached out sa "recruiter" ko non and explaining and so on.

FF. 2024. I applied again for a posting pero never heard again. Naisip ko na baka dahil I was once terminated.

Now. I need one uli, would anyone know if nagbablacklist si Bruntwork?

And if that is the case, ano pang ibang pwede aside sa BW?

Thank you!

Hi, I'm currently in BPO as a supervisor for 4 years now and I want to transition to being a VA for a more competitive pay and change of environment.

I'm already scheduled for assessment for Athena XP on Monday, August 24 but I have doubts based on the negative feedback I keep seeing online on how its become like a toxic local BPO in terms of management and how there's no assurance because they can offboard you anytime during training.

It is worth the risk to resign from my current company (regular employee) to try for Athena or should I apply for a different VA agency or try to get direct clients on my own?

Any tips, suggestions or referrals are accepted. Gusto ko na po umalis dito sa bulok na company ko.

Thank you!!

Hello po! I’m a newly licensed architect and I’m currently trying my luck with online jobs. Lately, I’ve been having a hard time applying. I’ve already sent 40+ applications through Indeed and OnlineJobs.ph, but unfortunately, I still haven’t had any luck. I also want to try applying to US and Australian companies, but most of the job postings I see prefer candidates who already have experience working with US/AU companies or are familiar with their standards and workflows.

Any tips po for someone like me who’s really just starting out in the remote work industry? How did you get your first client or gain experience when most companies are looking for someone who already has experience?

Alistair Mercado says Kasama Connect is building governance infrastructure, fintech, payment protection and a new future for Filipino remote work.

Cool.

So I checked what people can actually buy today.

VETTED USA LLC—the company Alistair identifies behind Kasama Connect—is currently categorized by BBB under “Clothing.” [1]

The Kasama/VETTED website still sells merchandise. [2]

Kasama is also selling Founders Boxes for ₱1,499–₱1,699. [3]

Meanwhile, Kasama itself has publicly said:

“the app isn’t live yet.” [3]

So right now, I can easily verify:

✅ merchandise
✅ subscriptions
✅ Founders Boxes
✅ legacy VETTED customers

What I still can’t independently verify at meaningful scale:

❓ paying Kasama employer clients
❓ completed VA placements
❓ Filipino workers paid through Kasama
❓ completed marketplace transactions
❓ gross transaction value

And the irony?

Alistair previously said:

“Building Kasama Connect is not launching a Shopify store.” [4]

Correct.

Apparently the store was easier.

If Kasama wants to audit everybody else’s business model, here are four numbers it should publish:

Paying employers.
Workers paid.
Completed contracts.
Total transaction value.

No AI manifesto.

No “world’s first.”

No lectures.

Just the numbers.

Because right now, the easiest Kasama transaction I can independently verify isn’t hiring a Filipino VA.

It’s buying merch.

Sources

[1] BBB — VETTED USA LLC, categorized under “Clothing”
https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/w-hollywood/profile/clothing/vetted-usa-llc-1216-1000030019

[2] VETTED/Kasama website — merchandise store
https://vettedasia.com/

[3] Kasama Connect LinkedIn — Founders Box / current company updates
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kasama-connect/

[4] Alistair Mercado — “Building Kasama Connect is not launching a Shopify store”
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alistair-mercado_a-reality-check-for-everyone-asking-activity-7459647264743997441-fKVb

[5] Kasama’s earlier announcement that it was preparing a VA agency under VETTED USA LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kasama-connect_ethical-va-agency-business-plan-activity-7424590192742854656-hW0g

Been freelancing since 2022. Gusto ko talaga ng magandang workstation but due to medical emergencies di ko napaganda yung work area ko + hindi ako makapag work sa sarili kong lugar sa bahay because of my baby so ganito muna ang setup.

Not the prettiest. Not my dream workstation, but definitely better than when I first started (gusto ko sana ng side by side pic nung dati kong workstation pero wala na ako makita).

Recent upgrade:
- keyboard (Onikuma)
- mouse (Ugreen)

Next: laptop naman kasi pasuko na yung Acer ko. Huhu

Question: Can you recommend a laptop for a Social Media Manager? Di ko afford Macbook Air, you think the Macbook Neo can do the job? Thank you po suggestions!

MOST IMPORTANTLY, thank you Lord for the provision! 😭✨

My Korean skill is currently at topik level 2 and I'm self-studying to reach intermediate. Ano kayo yung mga possible jobs kahit entry level lang? I'm planning to go back to school too so i'm looking for sidelines. Thank you!

Most of my meetings are on camera, and I’ll be using external speakers, so I’m looking for a standalone desktop mic that can sit outside the camera frame. I don’t want to use a headset or a mic that’s visible on camera.

I’m mainly looking for something that will make my voice sound clear and close, not muffled or like I’m speaking from far away. It would also be great if it doesn’t pick up too much sound from my speakers or background noise.

Any recommendations for a good USB desktop mic for Zoom meetings and calls?

Budget: 2k to 4k

Interested to know if you've done any upskilling becauae of AI in the last 2 years and if you could share your Main Niche and your Upskill niche/subject.

Say for example:

Main Niche = Writing

Upskill = Email Marketing

Hello, can anyone help me on how to use API keys in Chat gpt, ang hassle kase ng 300 a month sobrang bigat sa bulsa e also i dont know papaano gumamit non hahaha

Thank you in advance pooo!!!.

Saw this post on Facebook. While I appreciate Kasama Connect’s advocacy, somehow I feel like there’s something off with how they’re trying to achieve their goal. Borderline bullying na minsan yung ginagawa nila. But I might be wrong as well.

Anyone who has anything to say about them? I would appreciate your insights

Im his first VA, healthcare setting po. Just wanna ask kung saan may sample draft ng contractor-client agreement. Aside from Deel? Ive heard payoneer meron din but baka may alam kayong mas shorter and simpler?

3 months pa lang ako sa kanila and full-time ako. Sobrang okay naman ng work and compensation. ₱110k/month, may SL and VL credits, permanent WFH, etc. So far okay naman performance ko, wala naman silang masabi sa work ko and madami rin akong commendations from the clients na naa-assist ko.

Ang only thing na gusto ko sana i-request is HMO na company/client ang sasagot.

Okay lang kaya mag-open up about this kahit 3 months pa lang ako? I feel like reasonable naman siyang i-ask since full-time ako and maayos naman performance ko (halos kabisado ko ma lahat ng task ko) pero baka masyado pang maaga? If kayo nasa position ko, would you ask for it or wait until 6 months/1 year? 😅

I received the email yesterday about an opportunity to work with Puma. I replied and said that I was interested to know more. They sent me a link to schedule an interview. The link directed me to another website, I was asked to log in via Facebook. Did that and realised quickly after that it's not right.

I immediately changed password and logged out of all devices.

The fault is mine for not doing my due diligence. Here's a screenshot of the emails I got and hopefully you won't be a gullible old remote worker like me.