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This is the definitive VA Handbook review.
The VA Handbook is a virtual assistant course created by Joanne Munro.
We’ve spent several hours examining the training materials and going through the private community.
(Have you taken this course? Add your rating!)
If you want to know…
Then you’ve come to the right place.
Hey, I’m Niall Doherty.
I quit my last 9-to-5 job back in 2010.
Since then, I’ve earned my living online in various ways. Over the last 4 years (through 2023) I’ve earned $842,000 from my laptop.
I’m on a mission to accurately rate and review all the best online business courses. My team and I are spending many hours investigating these courses and getting feedback from real students.
All that to say: we know a thing or two about such courses and making money online.
We’re on a mission to find the best virtual assistant course, based on our own extensive research plus feedback from real students.
The VA Handbook DIY course is decent but not the best we’ve seen…
The VA Handbook aims to help beginner virtual assistants make money online by clarifying best practices for being a successful VA.
A virtual assistant is a remote worker, or digital nomad, who provides skill-based client services.
For example, a VA could help a busy Facebook group owner moderate posts and comments to prevent spam. Or they could help a business coach manage their email inbox.
The course covers how to…
The VA Handbook appears to target people seeking time, location, and financial freedom and who excel at administrative tasks.
For example, a busy UK mom who works a 9-to-5 as a personal assistant and wants to spend more time with her family might be a great fit.
Here are some student quotes (from the sales page) on why they decided to join…
“I want to learn new skills and meet new people.”
“I want to be in charge of my own time and destiny.”
“I want to be paid at a rate that reflected my skills and worth.”
“I want the flexibility to do what I want when I want!”
“I want to be able to work around my young family.”
“I want to have a feeling of control and freedom.”
Yes.
Joanne appears to be well-regarded in the VA community.
She was named as one of the eight approved trainers on the Society of Virtual Assistants, a fairly popular website according to SimilarWeb…
Joanne also won an award for being the best VA training provider…
It’s worth noting the site that gave out the award isn’t particularly well-known, as far as I can tell. And I hadn’t heard of many of the other VA courses listed, despite having spent several months researching and reviewing VA courses.
Joanne cleared that up via email…
The VA Voice Award for Best VA Trainer was given by PA Assist. They are the organiser of the VA Conference and also run the annual PA Voice Awards.
Those awards were voted on by actual virtual assistants, so it’s definitely a good sign that Joanne’s students consider her an effective educator.
I also found no controversy or scam reports online related to her or VA Handbook.
It’s easy to find people who praise the VA Handbook. But I found few students reporting significant results from following the training. And it’s unclear how old the testimonials are.
Here are a few reviews from the sales page indicating that some students are getting results…
“It’s three years today since I bought your DIY course and how things have changed since then! Best decision ever. Started the course in the September, left full-time work in the December and now have 3 members of staff and a thriving VA business! I think I love you a little bit.”
“A huggggggeee!! Thank you, the DIY course is amazing!! Not only does it teach you the skills required but also changes your mindset (in the most amazing way). It is just what I needed. I am nearly 70% through it and I have signed two clients, it’s bloody great! So if you are thinking about purchasing it, DO IT!”
“Signed 2 new clients and have a call with another one next week. Now I have far too much work so have calls with potential associates all lined up and booked for next week too. Got loads of the DIY VA course completed – the marketing email templates 💯 work 😁. And I even managed a cheeky day off on Wednesday!”
That said, for a course with ~1000 customers, I would have expected to see more testimonials speaking to actual student results.
There are four pricing options for lifetime access to VA Handbook…
Additional costs are minimal and include…
There are no discounts for VA Handbook, except for events like Black Friday.
So you’ll likely need to pay in full to get access now.
Va Handbook offers a 14-day money-back guarantee if you’ve completed less than 20% of the material.
The official word for the sales page…
The only way you can decide if this course is for you is by being on the inside, not the outside. So if you sign up and decide it’s not for you, as long as you let me know within 14 days and you have completed less than 20% of the course, just ping me an email and I’ll give you a full refund.
This is a decent policy. Though I always prefer to see at least a 30-day no-questions-asked guarantee.
The VA Handbook is a text-based course.
(This is quite unusual; most of the VA courses we’ve reviewed are video-based.)
There are a few older over-the-shoulder videos scattered throughout, and more have been added since initially writing this review.
Joanne explained via email…
While the videos in the course are a little old, the course content is reviewed and updated each year and I don’t feel there is any need to re-record video content that is still relevant.
I prefer written content over videos. It’s easier for me to review and update (and so I don’t have to re-record stuff!). Also, the course was designed that way after polling my audience and using their feedback.
I counted 8 modules and 27 individual lessons.
Here’s what the training looks like once you login and open one of the lessons…
To go further in depth, many lessons link to free blog posts for more information…
There are a few over-the-shoulder screen recordings here and there.
For example…
I’d say the most valuable aspects of the program are the following…
Here’s a look at some of the bonuses you get…
I found these items to be thorough and thoughtfully put together. There’s clear value here.
From what I’ve gathered, students seem to really enjoy the Facebook group as well.
It’s fairly active…
And Joanne is in there regularly…
Each Friday, students are asked to provide a weekly update, and Joanne gives personal advice to each commenter.
Plus, Joanne now includes a free Social Media Marketing course to help you find clients across popular social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram/TikTok.
Since I initially reviewed this course, Joanne also added material on leveraging AI tools as a VA.
This includes prompts and strategies for using AI in your VA journey.
Some positive points for The VA Handbook DIY VA Course…
A few things about The VA Handbook DIY VA Course that might give you pause…
The VA Handbook has decent content, but it’s not obvious the content alone is worth the price of admission.
That said, you also get lifetime access to interact directly with Joanne Munro – via the private Facebook group – who is an experienced and well-regarded VA trainer.
So, I consider it to be a decent investment if you want to be a VA and learn specifically from Joanne.
But you might already be familiar with a lot of the material if you have prior experience working as a VA.
There are other VA courses that…
If you’re on the fence about The VA Handbook DIY course, remember that Joanne offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. So you can check it out risk-free.
We’re on a mission to find the best “make money online” course, based on real student feedback and our extensive research.
Here’s our top 5…
I purchased the VA Handbook course after I had reviewed multiple course creators and their aims and objectives.
I found this course to be the most comprehensive, with a lot of value provided within the training. There are other courses within the main program. Also, if you are unsure about signing up, you can check out the free blog posts complementing the education.
I started by reading all the blog posts, and then going back and re-reading some multiple times. I then looked at the course for its value and support.
Once you start doing the training, you realise how much Jo has put into the course. She has gone through everything step-by-step, making you realise you need to be in a business owner mindset. Therefore, she is teaching you things you probably wouldn’t think about and all the things you do need to be a great business owner!
You know what is amazing? Jo has been reading about AI (Artificial Intelligence), doing all the hard work, doing all the research, testing, etc. So the course has been updated and so has her groups with all things AI related. There is a revamped and updated module on her course!
Totally amazing, and you aren’t being asked to pay more for the updates!
Highly recommend joining and scaling up your VA business now.
I found the course I took really helpful in terms of how best to structure your services and packages so that potential clients can easily understand what you offer at a glance.
However, what I found the most useful was all the different ways to find clients.
Joanne laid it all out in an inspiring and motivating way.
Overall, I think the course by was great value for money and ultimately very helpful when I was building my VA business and trying to find new clients.
I’m 75% through the course and have absolutely loved every part of it. The layout of the course is fantastic and very user-friendly. Everything is there right in front of you, and you can navigate to any part with ease.
Jo Munro, the author, is clearly exceptionally experienced in what she does, and passionate about helping others do the same.
Being an admin queen for a long time, both in employment and self-employment, I thought I knew enough and could waltz easily into a VA role. I was very impressed when I stumbled upon Jo’s teachings online, and so I thought I’d buy the course anyway. I’m so glad I did. I have learned so much, and Jo has instilled a huge amount of confidence in me to have faith in my skills and abilities.
Every detail is covered to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to become a successful virtual assistant. Jo really holds your hand every step of the way. From diary planning, to creating a LinkedIn profile, website to SEO advice and finding your niche.
I highly recommend The VA Handbook DIY course.
I came from a full-time EA position, working for 35 years at one company. I did not expect to work elsewhere after I had been made redundant. Still, I was encouraged to look into becoming a Virtual Assistant.
I checked Jo Munro’s website and discovered the DIY VA course. Eventually, I decided to buy the course and have not been disappointed. I knew this was something that could really help me with my own VA business.
The course provides 9 lessons and advice on how to manage your VA business. Within the lessons, there are specific steps of what you should be doing to ensure that your VA business is relevant and legal. It covers topics like setting up your business, marketing, and social media coverage (LinkedIn).
I found the ‘Business name and branding’ section very helpful. When setting up my company, I became preoccupied with branding and logo. I wanted to be perfect, but having read Jo’s piece on this, I stopped that, and spoke to others who were better qualified to help me.
Over the last 12 months, the course has provided many valuable tips for me, from basic advice to legal information. For example, where to get company insurance.
Jo provided a link to an insurance company that gave me a discounted rate. That was really helpful, and I appreciate it. She also provides a selection of legal documentation approved by the legal profession, i.e., client contracts. These save you time looking elsewhere.
The best part of the VA Handbook is that you can take the course whenever you want to. It doesn’t have to be completed within a specific timeframe. Moreover, it has unlimited access – there is no expiry date! So, this course becomes your own constant reference manual.
The content of this course goes beyond what I expected. As a new VA, it gave me the guidance required to set up as self-employed with many extra hints and tips along the way.
I decided to do the training before launching my business, and I am glad I did. With the help from the VA Handbook, I got everything in place before taking on clients. This meant I was ready and not worrying about what I still had left to do as I started to get busy with clients.
The VA Handbook is a structured course and should be followed as instructed. I think this really helped rather than dipping in and out to avoid subjects you are least comfortable with.
The support from the private group is amazing. You can join in as much or as little as you like. However, it has to be said that everyone in the group is incredibly supportive, and I recommend joining in when you can.
The free downloads provided as part of the course are excellent. There are also many additional resources, free and paid, available.
The course gave me the confidence and squashed any imposter syndrome in becoming a VA. Without a doubt, I would recommend this to anyone seriously thinking of working as a virtual assistant. Jo Munro has got your back!
This reviewer has a business relationship with the course creator or a competitor. Not included in overall ratings. Learn more.
Jo’s DIY VA course is an incredible tool for anyone looking to start or progress their virtual assistant business. The resources and training provided are immensely thorough. Jo really does cover every topic you could ever imagine.
The course has also helped me get all necessary contracts and T&C’s in place, and prepare a marketing strategy for my business. The ongoing community support via the support group has also been incredibly helpful.
Upon completing the training, Jo even took the time to offer me some invaluable tips to help me improve my website. I could not be more grateful.
Jo is an incredible trainer for aspiring VA’s. I would highly recommend her courses and training.
I love that The VA Handbook DIY VA course is done at your own pace. The learning path is great, and there are hundreds of blogs and extra training guides to get you from start to finish.
The amazing community that comes with being a student of this course is priceless. Everyone is really supportive and always willing to help.
The course content and help offered alongside is the best you can hope for.
Jo’s DIY VA course is very enjoyable. It’s just what I needed to take me through all the essential steps required to set myself up as a Virtual Assistant. Even though a small amount of the training is common sense to me, there was a lot that I didn’t know or hadn’t thought of, so it’s well worth the investment.
The information is logically laid out in understandable and clear sections. Each section is crossed off when you complete it, so you know where you’ve got to in the course if you have to leave it for any time. There’s a little welcome, tongue-in-cheek humour that helps break things up a bit.
There’s a great community linked to this course and an absolute ton of information available to everyone. A lot of it is free, both from the group and Jo’s website, blogs and newsletters, which I have found immensely useful.
Finding Joanne Munro’s VA Handbook DIY course and community after leaving exhausting work in the non-profit sector was the best landing place I could imagine.
My enthusiasm for work had diminished, and I felt lost about moving forward. I searched for a better way to sustain myself throughout my remaining work-life.
I found the VA Handbooker’s Facebook group. I was amazed at the generous resources Joanne Munro makes available there and the fantastic and supportive community she has created.
Once I realized there was a training attached to the group, I had no doubt that it would be just what I needed to get established in this field. Aside from the ease of navigation and wealth of knowledge on every aspect of VA business and work, the course comes with great perks.
Some of these include free and discounted access to the paid resources offered by VA Handbook and organizational tools to download and use in your day-to-day business.
The exercises are also designed to create meaningful resources and action plans that you use to build your VA business before even finishing the course.
I’m not sure I was prepared for how much I would learn and how quickly it would get me on my way to gaining clients. It gave me the confidence to reach out to a potential client right away for a months long project that has now led to consistent work. This is much more satisfying and aligned with how I want to live.
Of the many trainings I’ve taken in my professional life, the VA Handbook has been the most applicable and easiest to implement.
The best part is that it comes with another online group of class graduates. These fellow students are into the work and support one another, which is very important – working from home can be isolating! Also, Joanne is regularly in the group to encourage and connect us with new and updated resources daily.
I’m really grateful to have found the VA Handbook!
This course is hands down the best I have done. Joanne is firm in encouraging you to do your business your way. The documents are kept updated, and are straightforward.
Everything was simple, without the “fluff” of other similar courses. Jo does not push you to use specific programs that cost additional $$$. This training was just what I needed, and the group support was grand.
I purchased the VA Handbook DIY in 2020 during the pandemic. I am still in business today. I rarely need to market myself since my network has easily referred me.
I looked into a similar course to Joanne’s, and it was filled with affiliate links and a complicated process of starting a VA business. Jo’s training is perfect – I have nothing to add to it. I have referred two others who have set up their businesses, too.
I have completed Jo’s course in my own time.
The support has been exceptional, the Facebook group is full of knowledgeable people who are always there to offer help and support, and you never feel daft asking any questions. You can contact Jo or her team anytime and will get the support you need to finish the course.
The course is easy to follow, and you learn so much. We also receive informative newsletters and are supplied with up to date information.
There are free training sessions which are brilliant. You can also buy relevant training and documents under one roof.
I have just given up full-time employment to start my own virtual assistant business. I am so pleased and grateful to Jo and her team for helping me get to where I am today!
I really enjoyed The VA Handbook DIY. Even if you already have a little experience in VA work, this course cements your knowledge and teaches valuable insights into working as a VA.
It covers a lot of bases, such as marketing, business, financial, and takes you step-by-step through the process. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking into taking the next step for becoming a VA.
I’ve loved doing The VA Handbook course. It’s given me the tools and therefore the confidence to start my VA business.
The course layout is really logical and comprehensive. It is also motivational, and covers all the worries and concerns you might have. The interviews with other VAs are really helpful, too, as they provide you with ideas and inspiration.
I started the training a while ago, but then had my baby and stopped for a bit. I picked it all back up after some time. I love that you can just go for it or take it at your own pace. I wouldn’t have been able to start my VA business without it!
Jo has really covered eveything, and she continues to renew it and add things. Best money I’ve ever spent!
I first came across this course when I discovered Joanne Munro’s ‘VA Handbook’ website, which to this day is the greatest free resource I’ve come across for VAs. As it was such a great source of valuable information, I went on to buy her course. I became part of the ‘VA Rockstars’, a select group with access to Jo’s DIY course.
I highly recommend the VA Handbook DIY course if you are truly willing to invest in yourself and your business. It was amazing to be part of a group of inspirational virtual assistants, get recommendations, and help others in a collaborative community with Jo at the helm. She guides, supports, and encourages us all to be as successful as we aspire!
The VA Handbook DIY course was brilliant. I had a good idea of what I needed to do, but it filled in all of the blanks. It also gave me the confidence I needed to get started easily and quickly.
The investment is worth it for the support alone! The community and job opportunities are amazing. They really help you find clients and provide you with the support when you need it.
I started the VA Handbook DIY a few years ago. Jo’s course was one that was recommended along with a few others, but when I looked, I decided to go with Jo’s training because it ticks all the boxes.
I’m glad I did because there is a really magnificent community and support base which is really important. There is always help if you need it since Jo also provides hands-on support – that is a great addition.
The course information is relevant and details each step you need to take to have a successful business.
I launched my VA business at the beginning of 2023. However, I soon discovered I needed more support to build a stronger foundation for my business.
A few months in, I purchased Jo’s DIY VA course. Thanks to the VA Handbookers Facebook community group, I knew it was a training I could trust.
Completing the course has helped me review my services and clearly decide what my niche was. I also felt more confident about the whole process.
The real value comes from the continuous support from Jo and the other VAs in the Rock Stars Group.
Jo supports me and the other VAs in getting into the business owner mindset, providing suggestions and advice. Her VA, Anna, has been a vast help as well.
Building a business and getting it off the ground is hard work, but having this support through the course has helped speed up the process.
I purchased The VA Handbook in 2017. Thanks to this course, I grew a successful Virtual Assistant business. This meant I could leave my job and still have the needed income.
My business changed dramatically due to Covid lockdown, so I decided to go through the course again when everything returned to normal.
The VA Handbook doesn’t just give you practical tips and advice to set up your business. It also provides you with the knowledge that helps boost your confidence. That is why it offers so much value for money.
Additionally, you receive lifetime access, so you can repeat the course as often as you like. Jo updates the training when required, which is an added bonus.
The community aspect of this course is also amazing. There I can get advice whenever I need it!
The VA Handbook DIY VA course was invaluable for my Virtual Assistance business. Not only did it help me set up my business, but it helped me maintain it.
The training covers how to set up as a VA, how to market, do audits, manage clients and more! I love the additional courses that come with it, such as the confidence course and the marketing course.
Jo is always there if you need any help or have any questions. The group community has also been amazing since having a network of VAs really helps. Thank you Jo!
The VA Handbook is a really great course that helps you get started and set-up in the VA world. It shows you what to do step by step and in what order. The community is magnificent and always helpful. Honestly, you won’t regret signing up.
I took my time to do the course – it was easy to navigate and simple enough to understand what’s required. Fast forward to today, I am now a full-time VA!
This course was essential in getting me started as a VA. It includes practical and mindset advice that allowed me to go from never having heard of VAs to being up and running in just a few months.
It requires time and effort to work through everything and implement the training. Jo is always available in the private Facebook group to answer questions, so it is a really supportive community.
This course enabled me to transition from employment to full-time freelance work. I now earn more working full-time as a VA than I was in any employed role.
Without the VA Handbook DIY, I’m not sure I would have achieved this, and if I had, it would have certainly taken me a lot longer.
A very straightforward and honest training on what it takes to be a VA. Jo knows her stuff and readily shares her wisdom and experience. If you get really stuck, Jo discusses the problems with you in person. You also receive support from the Facebook group.
I have recently started the VA Handbook DIY and have already experienced learnings I would not have thought of myself. The course has prompted me to reevaluate my LinkedIn contacts, really look at contract requirements with potential clients and explore proper marketing.