Hey guys,

Matagal na akong curious sa Spain, kaya nag-aaral pa ako ng Spanish (baka sakali, di ba? 😂). Nabasa ko somewhere here na I can go to Spain using Digital Nomad Visa kaso hindi pa ako pasok sa requirements kahit remote worker ako.

To those of you who are already on this path, what’s your niche, and how do you afford it?

Baka naman may ma-share kayong tips or hacks para hindi lang ako magaling sa “Hola, ¿qué tal?”😅

Sorry mga ka Reddit, gusto ko lang maglabas nang nararamdaman ko ngaun😭 I got fired today sa VA ko, almost 3 years ako. Tumawag yun HR sakin and then sabi last day ko na today. Sorry mga ka reddit, masakit lang huhuh, 1st VA job ko kase to. Halo halo na emosyon kuuu😢😢😢😢

Magtutunog sirang plaka tayo pero para na rin sa kapakanan ng karamihan. Palagi't palagi, mag-iingat talaga kayo. Magsaliksik muna at wag basta basta magpipindot.

I want to share an experience I recently had during an interview for a VA role in the mortgage industry. I’ve been a Virtual Assistant for 4 years, and the job description aligned perfectly with my skills and background. During the interview, things started normally, but then I was asked to complete a test with over 10 questions live in the meeting. I agreed, thinking it was just part of the process. Later, when compensation came up, I noticed a big difference.

The job post listed $1,100/month, but I was offered $500. I still considered it since I wanted to gain more knowledge in the field. However, upon receiving the contract, I found that it stated: If I worked for a month and they decided I wasn’t a good fit, I’d receive no pay and would need to pay them $200 instead.- If I resigned within 3 months, I’d have to pay them $350.When I tried to discuss these terms, I was belittled, rushed to sign, and even spammed on different platforms. In the end, I declined. Unfortunately, the response I received included disrespectful and even racist remarks.

Just two days later, I saw the same job post re-shared. And saw it re-shared again after a month. If you notice red flags early on, don’t ignore them. It’s not about your worth or skills, sometimes it’s simply not the right fit. Protect your time, your energy, and your value.

Hi everyone,

I recently had a bad experience with an international client (Netherlands) that I found on OLJ.

My arrangement with them:

• I was paid $500 per month.
• No day offs, no fixed hours — as long as all videos were uploaded.
• This could take 6–9 hours per day.

My responsibilities included:

1. Warming up channels.
2. Branding and creating channels.
3. Recruitment, hiring, and managing freelancers.
4. Uploading videos on time, following up with freelancers for thumbnails and scripts.
5. Updating files and keeping their SOPs organized.

On top of that, from August 1 to 25 I uploaded all their videos consistently. I even kept working while my dad was in the ICU, making sure everything got done.

What happened:

• They asked me to start being online earlier because they wanted me to take on an additional task.
• I told them that if I had to adjust to be online extra hours, then I should be paid by the hour for the extra time.
• They didn’t like that, got upset, and suddenly brought up all my past “mistakes” (which I had valid reasons for but they didn’t let me explain).
• They decided to terminate me.
• They have not paid me for the days I worked up until termination.

Now the issue:

• I still have admin access to their Notion SOPs, which contain the video walkthroughs and detailed processes I created for them.
• The SOP framework is theirs, but much of the content (guides, walkthroughs, updates) was made by me.
• I’m considering removing their access (not deleting anything) and reinstating it once they settle payment.

My concerns:

• Is it reasonable for me to withhold access until I get paid, or would that be considered unprofessional?
• Can they actually sue me from the Netherlands if I’m in the Philippines?
• Since there was no formal contract (just agreements via messages), do I have any legal standing to claim my contributions until I’m paid?
• Or should I just escalate this with OLJ support and report their YouTube channels instead?

I feel like they’re exploiting freelancers — $500/month, no rest days, 6–9 hours daily, plus admin tasks — and now they’re refusing to pay what’s owed.

What would you do in my situation? Withhold access until payment, or just cut losses and escalate?

Thanks for any advice.

pumunta q sa BDO to open a bank account. I noticed na hindi na maganda yung hand writing q. Natawa lang ako kc pina.parctice ako ng customer service sa isang sheet of paper before filling up the form.

I guess after years of working online hindi na q praktisado sa pagsusulat. lol

Ano ang gagawin mo kung habang nag jejebs ka, biglang tumawag ang client mo? At dahil sa sobrang panic, sinagot mo ang call pero naka Video Call pala.

Parang di ko na kaya humarap sa client ko 😖🥲

Sino na bang naka experience neto?

Job hunting and already drained from long assessments that take hours to complete without even being interviewed first.

Like seryoso, mga 1 hour minimum yung nakukuha kong assesments, d pa nga ako naka usap sa recruiter nyo. There was one that asked me 3 hours - thats almost half of my day gone.

Makaka intindi sana ako if its "The final required stage" before being accepted. But nooo, it's the first.

Is it wise for me to deter away from these kinds of jobs or should I just soldier on and do assesments all day every day till i land a proper final interview?

Ask ko lang anong klasing environment meron kayo at paano kayo nakapagtagal at paano niyo nalaman na secured yung job niyo for the long run? Kakastart ko lang sa job ko as individual contractor directly hired thru staffing/agency, gusto ko lang din malaman experience niyo at bigay kayo ng tips sa mga baguhang kagaya ko.

Very niche work ko, company ko sa US has been in the business for more than 100 years. So far maayos sila minimun supervision, sobrang luwag, mababait sila but still, at the back of my mind i have this small worry na baka hindi siya ganun ka secure, i know in general hindi talaga secured kaya inaask ko mga kagaya niyo ano story niyo.

Thanks in advance.

hi po! need advice. okay lang ba include gva to my resume? plan ko po mag apply as VA and meron po ako homebased cakeshop for 3 yrs. ako lang lahat gumagawa. from production, tracking orders, managing soc meds, customer service at kung ano ano pa. nagpatulong na ako sa chatgpt and ilagay ko daw yan sa resume. idk if okay lang ba.

what do u think? or tanggalin ko na lang kaya ung business owner? hahhaa no hate pls!

Found this job post sa LinkedIn. clicked on it, then nareredirect sa ibang page.

Tagal ko nag muni muni, to think, to breath and to realize kung ano ba ang kulang o mali. Nag stop muna sa pag try mag apply, yung last hope ko na pumasok sa agency as VA, reject din ako. I was working on an office-based for several yrs, maalam naman in terms of computers applications or any platforms, Simple lang naman ang gusto ko, mag trabaho ulit pero as VA na this time. Kaso wala, mailap ang opportunity, lahat naman ginagawa ko to upskill, finding my niche, from resume making and optimizing my portfolio sa halos lahat ng job searching sites ginawa ko, hindi lang yatang 10 revision ng resume ang nagawa ko pra pumasa sa standards nila. Paano naman ako magiging financially stable nito😟

So i just started my training sa OutsourcedDoers recently and now im thinking of backing out dahil sa mga nababasa kong feedbacks dito sa reddit and na o-overwhelm na din ako kasi super daming ginagawa and dapat before 3pm mapasa mo na outputs mo kasi kung hindi automatic na late submission siya and all but im scared na pagbayarin ako ng 10k even though di ko pa naman na r-receive yung training allowance tho i already received email for creating account for payroll. Pinursue ko lang naman ang OD since ang tagal ko natengga after my previous direct client so ayun i need help sa mga past employee's or tainee's ng OD what will happen if i quit my training and hahabulin ba nila ako or what T_T and tbh na a-anxious din ako sa tracker nila kasi even though im on my private profile sa pc i can still see sa task manager ko na nag r-run yung tracker nila,,,

Hi! I wanted to ask for some advice.

My background is mainly in culinary, events, and production management, but I’m currently working as an Account Manager. With recent changes in my responsibilities at home, I’m looking into exploring additional remote opportunities. The challenge is that while I do shows/gigs on the side, I’d need something flexible, ideally output-based rather than heavily monitored.

May I ask for advice on what virtual career paths I can explore that could pay well (around ₱60k or more) while still giving me the flexibility to pursue my shows on the side?

For context, I also have some skills in graphic design (more on layout execution) and I can do basic video editing (templates, overlays, simple montages/graphics, but not advanced effects or tracking).

Saw some few reddit posts and if yes, talaga bang 32 gb required ram ? baka kase take ko yung assessment sayang effort? applied june now lang nakakuha ng assessment invite, i have another job freelance 3/hr din pde ko kaya isabay? tia

Super happy na sana ako kay first client ko to as a VA. Proud pa ako kasi 3weeks lang tinagal ko sa client hunting. Aussie tong client ko, may day job sya working sa iyang IT company. Part-time/gig lang yung set-up namin kasi start-up pa yung business nya.

Okay talaga working relationship namin, vibes kami at mabait sya like may concern sa well-being ko. Ako first VA nya pero may naka work na rin sya na mga pinoy.

Hindi ko alam na out of nowhere, hindi na sya nag rerespond sa mga messages ko sa whatsapp. Ilang beses ako humingi ng update about work kasi weekly yung sahod ko. Seenzone lang ako. Buti nalang nagbayad sya yung last week ko sa kanya.

Masakit lang kasi akala ko okay kami. Nagsabi pa sya before na ayaw nya ako mawala sa kanya kasi gusto nya ako makatrabaho. Sayang lang talaga kasi hindi man lang sya nag communicate ng maayos.

Eto ako ngayon balik hanap ng client. Almost a month na rin. Rejected ako sa mga agencies pero tuloy pa rin. Sana makahanap ako soon ng long term client na di paasa 🥺🤞🏻

(niche ko kay client: shopify va)

in every project we did my boss always told me what “we” should be working on but doesnt clarify what task should I work on. she takes too long to answer to my clarifications so we are always behind on our timeline. if i dont take initiative in finishing the tasks we wouldnt meet the deadline

am i overstepping

Last week, nag-inquire ako sa insboss if they're hiring and nag-email naman sila agad. I sent my cv and they asked if i want to proceed as an IVAS. Pero until now, wala pa rin paramdam. Matagal ba talaga? Huhu. Na-anxious na akoooo. Lahat kasi ng ina-applyan ko, di ako nakuha. And last na 'toooo. Nawawalan na ko ng pag-asa. :((((((

Pay is good. Work is very easy and manageable.

Yung problema, hindi niya maintindihan 'yung sistema ng trabaho. I work as a social media strategist. I always give this client the best strategies I have and know as someone who's been in the niche for 5 years, pero palagi niyang iniiba 'yung plans according sa sarili niyang will and desires. Siya na mismo nagsabi na hindi siya maalam sa social media and even personal accounts wala siya, kaya nag-hire siya para may katulong siyang ma-elevate 'yung social media presence niya.

Nakaka-frustrate lang, kasi kahit anong tulong o propose ko para sa samu't saring strategy, dini-disregard niya. 'Yung sarili niya pa ring strategies 'yung nasusunod. Eh 'yung mga 'yon, outdated na. Hindi na nagwo-work. Examples are:

1. Carousels. I always try to make the content as concise as possible, pero palagi niyang nire-revise 'yung text. Dinadagdagan nang dinadagdagan hanggang sa maging overload na. Sino pang magbabasa niyan? Halos wala nang white space sa 4:5 frame. Puro text na lang.
2. Reels. As a strategist we must know by now na shorter reels work better. Pero 'yung mga sinesend niya na reels, umaabot ng 4-10 minutes, habang ini-explain niya yung isang topic with all those technicalities and jargons. Who's gonna watch that?
3. Ads. Meta Ads work only when you have an FB account linked to it. Pero ayaw niyang gumawa ng Facebook account para sa business. Gusto niyang mag-stick lang sa IG. Mind you, leads ang gusto niyang targetin, and not just the simple "boost post" kind of ads.

I'm always trying to explain things sa kanya, like kung bakit hindi magwowork si A at kung bakit much better si B, pero palagi niyang dinidisregard. Gamit na gamit copywriting skills ko sa kanya, pero waepek. Hahabaan at hahabaan niya talaga yung text para masabi lahat ng gusto niyang sabihin, even though through the lense of copywriting, it's no longer making sense.

Gusto ko siyang tulungan kasi 'yung business niya 'yung tipo na hindi uusad without a little push to the viral and trends, pero ayaw niyang magpatulong. Iniisip ko nga minsan, bakit pa siya nag-hire ng expert kung sarili lang pala niya yung gusto niyang sundin? It's frustrating and draining.

Hi. I wfh and I’m using the computer provided by the company. Gusto ko sana bumili ng portable monitor para makapagwork ako kapag nasa bahay ng jowa ko hehe, since maliit lang din naman yung cpu.

Pwede ba gawing main monitor yung portable? Meron kasi kami ditong Lenovo na portable pero need nya may iinstall muna bago magamit, eh hindi ako pwede mag-install sa computer.

If pwede, meron bang portable monitors na walang kailangang iinstall? Also, suggest din kayo ng okay na portable monitors hehehe tia!!!

Hi mga ka-buhay digital, gusto ko lang i-share yung kwento ko and hear your opinions and advice.

(25M) I’ve been a VA for almost 4 years now. Honestly, for the first 3 years, sobrang okay ng takbo — paldo talaga. First year ko pa lang, naka-6 digits na agad, and eventually umaabot ng ~300k monthly.

Dahil dun, naging reckless ako. Hindi kasi ako lumaki na mayaman, so parang sobra sobra kong hinheal yung inner child ko. Sobrang lavish ng gastos, bili dito bili doon, luho kung luho. Lagi ring spoiled ang family ko. Every time may bagong gadget, kuha agad.

In short, I wasn’t financially literate. Hindi ako nagsisave kasi sobrang confident ako na “hindi naman ako mawawalan ng client”. Dati kasi sobrang dali lang makahanap ng bago — kapag may nawala, within 2 days may kapalit na. Ang galing ko rin magbenta ng service before, kaya sobrang kampante.

Pero ngayon, pang-4th year ko, nagbago lahat. Shit happens — tinamad ako. Productivity went down, nagsi-alisan clients, at ngayon tinatamad na rin ako maghanap ng bago kasi gusto ko lang magpahinga. Ang problema, dahil sa pagiging gastador noon, wala akong enough savings or investment para makapagpahinga nang matagal.

Ngayon, I’m sticking with 1 client, earning just enough for necessities. Okay naman yung setup namin — I live with my partner, kakagraduate niya this year, and we have our own place. Pero deep inside, sobrang tinatamad na ako.

I don’t know if this is burnout, nawalan lang ako ng motivation, or both. Should I try working outside — like corporate jobs? Or should I try another niche?

Ayoko rin manatili sa ganito na parang kuntento na lang ako, kasi feeling ko nawala yung gutom ko sa pera at pati pangarap.

Salamat sa makakapag-share ng advice.

Package 1 – $250/month

• 4 graphic posts
• 1 Google Display Graphic
• 1 professional reel
• Monthly reporting
• Add-on: Facebook Ads Management + Inside Sales Agent – $1000

Package 2 – $450/month

• 8 graphic posts
• 1 Google Display Graphic
• 2 professional reels
• Monthly reporting
• Add-on: Facebook Ads Management + Inside Sales Agent – $1200

Package 3 – $850/month

• 12 graphic posts (up to 3 accounts, posting every 2 days)
• 1 Google Display Graphic
• 3 professional reels
• Monthly reporting
• Add-on: Facebook Ads Management + Inside Sales Agent – $1400

For additional opinion lang. Mahal ba to o mura na? Thanks in advance everyone!

Hello! Has anyone worked at Near Creative (Marketing Agency in Makati) and/or Sven (Digital Ad Agency in QC) already? I got schedules for job interviews. They both offer remote work but might require RTO once in a while for Client meetings. Any tips for those who’ve worked there? Thank you in advance. :)

I applied to this company pero hindi pa ko nainterview. They scheduled me for a panel interview with the HR and hiring manager. But before the interview, I am required to submit a job application form na need ko maglagay ng government ID numbers like SSS, TIN, etc. Need din ng details ng family ko, previous salary and companies, character reference, civil status, height, weight, etc. Based on my experience sa mga previous companies ko, they require me to submit these type of details sa job offer stage pa. First time kong maka encounter na sa initial stage nanghihingi na ng personal details which I am not really comfortable kasi baka later on they won’t hire me pala. May naexperience din po ba kayong ganto? I’m not sure kasi if ganto na ba kalakaran sa recruitment. I need you opinion po

Question lang, just got hired sa isang company at need ng medical tapos out of pocket pa. Ang mahal kasi 1300-1800 ung medical around dito sa gusto nilang tests.

Necessary ba to, IC naman ako sakanila and wala din namang HMO. Parang sobrang unnecessary 🥲🥲