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Good morning Reader,

I hope you are well and enjoying this gorgeous sunny weather.

There's a lot to cover in this issue, so I'm going to just jump right into it!

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🌱 For Aspiring And New VAs: AI has its limits

Trying to use ChatGPT to set up a VA business? You won’t get far.

AI has information, but it doesn’t have experience.

It can’t warn you about red-flag clients, help you avoid rookie mistakes, or tell you what to do when things go pear-shaped.

If you're full of information but are desperate for transformation, you don't need more data; you need direction.

Over the past 11 years, I’ve helped well over 1000 people launch their own VA businesses, many of whom now run agencies.

If you're ready to stop researching and start doing, my DIY VA course goes on sale at 7am tomorrow for International VA Day.

You can get £200 off - but only until 10pm UK time.

You do receive lifetime access, though, so you could always take advantage of the offer, but start the course when you're ready.

(The discount is for one-time payments and does not apply to instalment plans.)

🌳 For Established VAs: Ask for referrals

I recently ran a LinkedIn poll asking VAs where they get their clients. As you can see, referrals won by a clear margin, with networking close behind.

Neither of these is surprising. Word of mouth (aka just talking to people!) has always been, and will always be, how people get work.

If referrals are already working for you, then simply ask for more.

Most clients are happy to recommend you; they just need a nudge. Here’s a quick template you can tweak and send:

💥 For Everyone:

From now on, I’m only approving job posts in the VA Handbookers Facebook group that pay at least £25 per hour.

My six-monthly polls show that most VAs charge £30 per hour, and that figure is quickly rising to £35.

If you can’t afford to pay an associate £25, you’re not charging your clients enough.

Of course, lead VAs are free to offer their associates whatever rate they like. Associates, however, do not need to accept that rate.

Also, charging by the hour has its limits. As AI speeds up how we work, hourly billing means the faster you complete tasks, the less you earn.

That’s why it makes more sense to charge per task, either as a fixed project rate or with a task-based retainer rather than a time-based one.

Here’s a quick explainer on how retainers actually work.​

☕ Espresso AI

In yesterday's edition of Espresso AI, I showed you how to create a personalised writing style guide, shared a prompt for handling research tasks like a pro and creating detailed, client-ready tables, provided two carousel makers, and shared how one clever VA is using AI to turn consultations into proposals - with zero typing.

You've missed this issue, obviously, but if you subscribe now, you won't miss the next one. You'll also receive a copy of the first edition straight away.

💫 In Case You Missed It: Freelancer contract update and price rise

A new AI clause has been added to the Freelancer Contract covering transparency, permission, responsibility, data safety, and disclosure.

If you’ve already bought the contract, check your inbox for the updated version from SendOwl.

Didn’t get it? Use this link to re-download, or hit reply and give me the email address you used to buy the product.

Also, all of my legal docs will increase in price on June 3rd (the first increase since their release in 2018) due to rising platform costs.

All of my legal contracts are fully brandable, editable, and come with free updates and support, which you don't get with anyone else's.

Okay, that's it from me. Have a lovely week!

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PS: Just signed up and missed an issue? Read previous Coffee Break newsletters here.​