I’m Kerry-Ann, I’m from Northern Ireland and my VA business is Virtually Kerry-Ann. I work with podcast hosts, authors, and small businesses helping them manage their podcasts, and social media, and building an online community as an author.
Who or what inspired you to become a VA?
I first started as a book blogger and for 13+ years I helped manage different online marketing events for authors in between running my book blog.
In August 2023, I started Virtually Kerry-Ann and in that time I’ve worked with clients in Australia, California USA, England, Northern Ireland, and more!
I saw a demand between my author friends for virtual assistants, I knew I had the experience so filled in one application and I got it.
I wanted something more for myself and I knew I was capable if I believed in myself so I’ve worked the hardest I ever have this past year to really push myself and my business to strive.
Have you had any support starting up as a VA
I signed up for a local community-run program called “Go For It”. The business advisor I got helped me put a business plan together, make lists of everything that’s needed, and brainstorm different ideas. It was great to have something like this.
What has been your highlight since starting your business?
I earned £1000 in one month! It may have taken me 11 months to get there after starting my business but I am so freaking proud of myself for reaching that and extremely happy that all my hard work paid off.
What was your biggest challenge?
Telling people about my business! I can market and discuss my client's businesses every day in a crowded room but when it comes to networking and talking about mine? I have no idea where to begin.
I have a membership with Women in Business, a local group and they organise networking events both online and in person along with great workshops and learning events so I’m really thankful to have this as a place to go.
What advice would you offer other new or aspiring VAs?
Go for it! It can be long and sometimes lonely but meet other VAs online and chat with them. They’re not your ideal clients but they know how much work and time you’re putting in and can be great to bounce ideas off.
What tools/apps/software can’t you live without?
Oh gosh, Google Suite and Toggl! I love Google for everything, it’s been great so far as I can stop on my laptop and pick up exactly where I left off on my phone.
Toggl because it tracks everything for me and I can use it for timing my work for clients, my own time spent on my business and it generates invoices as well so everything I need is in one place.
What is next for you and your business?
I’m going to celebrate reaching my one-year business birthday and keep putting myself and my business out there.
I want to keep growing Virtually Kerry-Ann and I’m so excited about finding new ways to do that I have a few ideas… but I can’t reveal them right now! I did print business cards as when I’m out and explain what I do everyone asks me for a card and it’s surreal so I got some printed.
What is the ultimate goal for your business?
For my clients to reach their goals with my help and share Virtually Kerry-Ann with others who may need a VA so I can go into M&S and not worry about how much I’m spending on Percy Pigs!
I love it when a client emails me that my idea was amazing and it paid off, that they’re thankful for my help and would be lost without my input. I love reaching those milestones with them as they make me love my business so much more.
To grow my business bigger than the first year is my ultimate goal!
What three words would you use to describe yourself, and why
Bookish, talkative, and Helpful - I’m a book blogger and extremely talkative but very helpful.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I love spending time in bookstores or cafes, preferably one after the other. I’ll have a hot chocolate and just write away in a notebook as I love resting my eyes away from screens and it helps me plan out my social media content and blog content for the week, month and even season ahead.
This blog was prepared or accomplished by Kerry-Ann McDade, Virtually Kerry-Ann in their personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this blog are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kayleigh Johnstone or COZ PR.
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