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9 Non-Negotiables Ko Bilang VA/Freelancer

Ito yung mga bagay na tingin ko ay important para sa growth, work-life balance, at overall happiness ko bilang freelancer.
Last edited 25 seconds ago by Pinoy Stuttering VA
Lately, while talking to a friend, nag-share ako ng experiences ko as a virtual assistant and online freelancer. Napag-usapan namin yung mga non-negotiables na na-develop ko throughout my journey. Iba-iba kasi talaga ang experiences natin sa field na ito, at over time, nare-realize mo kung ano yung mga bagay na hindi mo na pwedeng i-compromise.
Naisip ko, why not i-list down ito at i-share sa lahat? Para ma-share din sa inyo yung other sides ng buhay freelancer na baka hindi pa masyadong napag-uusapan. Minsan kasi, ang nakikita lang natin yung mga magagandang aspect ng freelancing - yung flexibility, yung potential na kumita ng malaki. Pero may ibang side din 'to na importante nating pag-usapan.
Alam ko na sa simula, medyo clueless tayo sa mundo ng freelancing. Maraming bagay na natututo tayo along the way, at minsan, sa mismong pagkakamali natin. Kaya kung gusto niyong malaman yung mga bagay na hindi ko ikino-compromise sa work at sa paghahanap ng clients, basahin niyo 'to. Baka makatulong sa inyo, lalo na sa mga newbie, para ma-navigate niyo nang mas maayos yung journey niyo.

1. Mapanilip at kini-question ang working hours ko

Ito talaga ang number 1 sa non-negotiables ko at isa sa mga pet peeve ko as Virtual Assistant or online freelancer. Gets ko naman na as a client, gusto nilang malaman exactly ang work mo. Pero 'yung sobrang micromanage? Nako, pass talaga ako diyan!
Alam niyo 'yung feeling na parang every minute, kailangan mong i-justify? Nakakainis at nakaka stress diba? Lalo na kung involved ang "creative" aspects like writing, graphic design, at editing. Hello, creativity doesn't work on a fixed schedule!
During discovery calls, lagi akong honest at upfront sa working style ko. Lalo na sa mga tasks na kailangan mong "think outside the box". Kasi 'di ba, minsan 'yung best ideas mo, dumadating sa random moments - like habang naliligo ka, o kaya naman habang nanood ka.
Pero alam niyo 'yung nakaka-frustrate talaga? 'Yung mga tanong na:
Why did it take you this long to complete the task?
Is this all you've done in 30 minutes?"
Couldn't you finish this in just an hour?
Naiintindihan ko naman na minsan, kailangan ng clarification. Pero 'yung paulit-ulit na pagtatanong ng mga bagay na klaro na from the start? Para sa akin, medyo off na 'yan. Lagi naman akong transparent sa clients ko pagdating sa work ethics, reporting, at value na makukuha nila. Pero 'yung parang may doubt at feeling nila ginugulangan ko sila? Big NO for me 'yan.
Lalo na kung may time tracker na with screenshots pa!
Especially sa creative field, may mga bagay talaga na 'di mo pwedeng i-force. 'Di mo pwedeng pilitin ang sarili mo na maging creative on demand. Lalo na kung ikaw lahat ang gagawa - from brainstorming, researching, content creation, design, editing, etc. Tapos may certain number of deliverables pa? Grabe, pressure much?
Kaya nga mataas ang rates ko - dahil sa quality ng work ko. 'Di basta-basta ang creative process, at kailangan ng respeto at tiwala para ma-deliver ang best results.
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Kung may client na sobrang mapanilip sa oras mo, try mo i-educate sila. Pwede mong sabihin:

"I understand your concern about the time spent on tasks. However, my creative process involves various stages like research, brainstorming, and refinement, which may not always be visible in the final output. I assure you that every minute is spent ensuring high-quality work. Would you prefer if I provide a more detailed breakdown of my process?"
Remember, communication is key. Minsan, 'di lang alam ng client natin kung paano talaga gumagana ang creative work. Kaya importante na i-set natin ang expectations nila from the start.
At the end of the day, kung 'di pa rin nila ma-gets at patuloy na kine-question ang oras mo, baka it's time to reassess if this client is the right fit for you. Your time, skills, and peace of mind are valuable. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

2. Camera On while working

Let's face it. Bakit ba tayo nag-switch into VA/online freelancing, working from home? To break free tayo from traditional jobs o day jobs, 'di ba?
Sa kahit anong remote work - freelancing man yan, VA, o hybrid - trust talaga ang foundation ng industry na ito. Kaya medyo nakaka-lungkot lang kapag napupunta tayo sa mga client na may “trust issue”.
Oo, gets ko na minsan gusto ng clients na i-monitor ka. Gusto nilang i-check ka from time to time, o kaya naman gusto nilang naka-open ang camera mo during your shift para madali kang ma-contact or mag ask.
Yes, I totally get their point of view nila, pero personally, hindi ako maka-function nang maayos sa ganitong environment. Hindi ako maka-thrive talaga.
Well, we can’t deny na ung main reason nito ay "trust issue". While I completely understand and respect their preferences, situations etc. Lagi kong iniisip, kung may trust issue ka, bakit ka pa nag-hire ng remote workers? Kung gusto mong palaging i-check ang staff or contractors mo, bakit hindi ka na lang mag-hire ng onshore workers?
Tapos isipin mo: gamit ko yung sarili kong kwarto para sa work, sarili kong laptop para gawin yung tasks nila. Tapos ngayon para akong may CCTV sa sarili kong space? Ang awkward mag work nun, yung evey now and then, may naka tingin sayo.
Saka hello, privacy?
Siyempre, may mga exceptions din. Kung kailangan talagang mag-video call para sa meetings o presentations, okay lang 'yun. Pero 'yung buong shift naka-on ang camera? That's a big no-no for me.
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Kung may client na insistent sa camera-on policy, try mo i-explain ang situation mo in a professional manner. You can say something like:

"I understand the importance of accountability in remote work. However, having my camera on continuously during work hours can be distracting and affect my productivity. Instead, I propose regular check-ins via chats or email and detailed progress reports to keep you updated on my work. Would this alternative work for you?"
For me, ang magandang solusyon dito ay clear communication at regular updates. Kung updated naman lagi ang client sa progress ng work mo, at nagde-deliver ka ng quality output on time, bakit pa kailangan ng constant video monitoring?
Sa huli, it all boils down to mutual respect and trust. Kung hindi mo ma-feel 'yun sa client mo, baka hindi kayo mag fit in the long run. Kaya for me, this "camera on" requirement is definitely a non-negotiable.
Remember, your home office is still your personal space. It's okay to set boundaries and protect your privacy while still being a professional, reliable remote worker.

3. Disrespectful

Halos lahat naman tayo ayaw ma-disrespect, diba? Same here, isa 'to sa mga non-negotiables ko talaga. Ang dami kasing ways na pwedeng maging disrespectful ang isang client, like:
Yung walang respeto sa oras mo. Hello, weekend na or beyond working hours mo na, tapos gusto ka pa rin mag-work? As if naman 24/7 kang available, diba?
Yung maliit ang tingin sa'yo. Minsan feeling mo parang tingin nila sa'yo, robot ka na walang feelings. Tapos pag may konting mali ka lang, mura-murahin kana na akala mo nabili na kaluluwa mo.
I might be considered as lucky kasi sa loob ng 3 taon kong pagiging VA/Freelancer, never pa ako naka-encounter ng ganyang klaseng clients. Hoping na sana "wag naman" ever mangyari (fingers crossed).
Guys, always remember: tao din tayo, hindi tayo slaves. May buhay tayo outside work, may "me" time, at higit sa lahat, may mga pamilya din tayo na kailangan asikasuhin. Hindi pwedeng work lang nang work, diba?
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Kung may client na nagiging disrespectful, it's important to address it professionally. You can say something like:

"I value our professional relationship and the work we do together. However, I feel that [specific incident] was disrespectful. I believe we can communicate more effectively if we maintain a mutual respect for each other's time and efforts. Can we discuss how to improve our working relationship?"
Kaya as a VA/Freelancer, super important talaga na i-get to know mo muna yung client mo during interviews or discovery calls. Keep in mind na laging two-way street ang interview. Wag mahiyang magtanong at maging observant.
And of course, minsan may mga nakakalusot pa rin talaga. May mga client na ang bait-baitan during interviews tapos biglang nagbago ang ugali once nag-start ka na mag-work (which is tricky din talaga).
Pero at least, kung nag-effort ka to get to know them beforehand, mas mabilis mong ma-de-detect kung may red flags.
Remember, respect begets respect. Kung nire-respeto ka ng client mo, mas motivated ka to do your best work. Kaya 'wag talaga mag-settle sa mga disrespectful clients. You deserve better than that!
At the end of the day, ang magandang work relationship ay built on mutual respect and clear communication. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself professionally. Your skills, time, and well-being are valuable – make sure your clients know that too!

4. On Call

Ito talaga isa sa mga major No-No ko. Kahit pa flexible ang working hours, yung pagiging on call? Big nope for me.
Bakit? Eto ah:
Imagine, tatawagan ka nila anytime of the day para sa work. Ano 'yun, parang need mo 24/7 naka-standby? As if naman wala kang ibang buhay, diba?
Tapos usually, yung on call setup, babayaran ka lang during specific working hours mo. Eh paano kung super-efficient ka at natapos mo yung 3 hours worth of work in just 30 minutes? Lugi ka naman dun, right?
At eto pa, paano yung time and effort na inilaan mo sa paghihintay? Ano yun, TY na lang? Imbes na magawa mo yung ibang bagay, hindi mo magawa kasi need mo maghintay kung may gagawin o wala. Sayang oras at unproductive diba?
Hello, work-life balance? Wala nun dito, promise!
As I mentioned kanina, para sa'kin, sign of disrespect na 'to. I'd rather mag-offer ng fixed hours kaysa mag-on call. Kasi diba, isa sa mga reasons bakit tayo nag-switch to WFH setup is to break free tayo from traditional office setup? Lahat naman tayo gustong magkaroon ng work-life balance, diba?
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Kung may mag-offer sa'yo ng on call work, try mo i-negotiate. You can say something like:

"I appreciate the opportunity, but I have some concerns about the on-call nature of this role. To ensure I can deliver high-quality work consistently, I prefer a more structured schedule. Could we discuss setting specific work hours or a retainer arrangement instead? This would allow me to dedicate focused time to your projects while maintaining a healthy work-life balance."
Kung i-accept mo 'tong ganitong klaseng work, para kang bumalik sa dating setup na iniiwasan mo. Parang it doesn't make any sense at all. Kaya advice ko, think many times bago ka mag-accept ng ganitong setup.
Remember, yung oras mo, valuable 'yan. Hindi pwedeng binebenta mo lang basta-basta, lalo na yung oras na naghihintay ka lang. Kung gusto mo talaga ng work-life balance, dapat marunong kang mag-set ng boundaries. Kasi kung hindi, baka ma-burn out ka, in the end ikaw din mag sasuffer.
So guys, ingat sa mga on call setups na ito. Minsan kasi, mukhang maganda sa una pero pag nagtagal, dun mo mare-realize na hindi pala worth it. Better to be clear about your boundaries from the start para walang sakit ng ulo later on.
At the end of the day, ang goal natin is to have a sustainable freelancing career. On-call setups can be draining and unpredictable. Prioritize your well-being and look for opportunities that respect your time and allow you to have a life outside of work.

5. Time Tracker With Screenshots and Monitoring

Yes, I get it naman na time tracking is common practice kahit sa traditional office setup. Nowadays, automated naman na talaga ung payroll processing. Pero yung may screenshots at monitoring pa ng activity ng sarili kong laptop? Sorry ha, pero auto-pass.
Gaya ng laging sinasabi ko, I take pride in my "integrity" above all. Yan ang pinaka-value ko talaga. Oo, gets ko na maraming companies gumagamit ng time tracker:
Para madaling i-compute yung working hours at salary mo, lalo na kung hourly rate ka.
Para i-check yung working progress at activity mo.
Hindi naman ako bago sa time tracker. Actually, ginagamit ko talaga ako nyan for client invoicing. Pero yung tracking ng sarili kong laptop just to see if I'm working or not? Aba, non-negotiable yan for me.
Isipin mo 'to:
What if super efficient ka at kaya mong tapusin yung 8 hours work in just 4 to 5 hours? Ano yun, magpepretend ka na lang na busy ka for the remaining hours?
Paano kung may certain tasks na hindi required na lagi kang nagki-click sa monitor mo? Like, what if video editor ka at kailangan mong panoorin yung 3 hours na video bago i-edit? Ano yun, every now and then kailangan mong i-click yung mouse mo just to show na "active" ka? Pano ka makaka-focus sa work mo kung yan pa lang, iniisip mo na?
Time tracker is really not ideal kung ang nature ng work mo is output-driven, like:
Graphic Design
Video Editing
Podcast Editing
Writing
Kasi 'yang mga 'yan, kailangan mo talaga mag-review at mag-isip. Not to mention na "creative" work 'yan. Lagi kong sinasabi, creativity shouldn't be forced.
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Kung required talaga ang time tracker sa work, try mo i-negotiate. You can say something like:

"I understand the need for accountability, but I believe my work is best measured by output and quality rather than screen time. Instead of constant monitoring, could we agree on clear deliverables and deadlines? I'm happy to provide regular progress updates and be available for check-ins. This approach would allow me to work more efficiently and creatively."
Remember, yung trust at respect, it goes both ways 'yan. Kung hindi ka pinagkakatiwalaan ng client mo to do your job without constant monitoring, baka hindi 'yan ang best work environment for you.
So, think twice before accepting jobs with super strict monitoring. Minsan kasi, dagdag stress lang yan at nakakabawas pa sa productivity mo. Focus tayo sa quality ng work, hindi sa quantity ng oras na nakatitig tayo sa screen!
At the end of the day, ang goal natin is to deliver high-quality work, not to win a "who can sit at their desk the longest" contest. Value your skills and creativity, and look for clients who appreciate the results you deliver, not just the hours you log.

6. Short Deadlines

Alam naman nating lahat na setting deadlines is normal sa kahit anong aspect ng buhay diba? Mapa-work, school, o kahit personal goals mo. Lagi tayong may deadline. Pero minsan, yung mga "unrealistic deadlines" na ito, grabe nakaka stress talaga. Lalo na kung hindi naman achievable, like:
Yung pipilitin kang gumawa ng 10 long-form content in just two days. Hello? Ano to magic? Baka naman akala nila may super powers ako!
O kaya naman yung panay add nang add ng tasks kahit may pending ka pa. Parang walang konsiderasyon sa existing workload mo 'no? Akala mo siguro octopus ako, walong kamay!
Yan oh, examples lang yan ha. Kaya ako, when I set deadlines, lagi kong sinisigurado na attainable at actionable siya. Lagi kong ina-apply yung SMART concept. Kasi 'di ba, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Ganun dapat.
Napansin ko kasi, karamihan ng clients na may unrealistic deadlines, sila rin yung walang respeto sa oras mo.
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Pag may nag-set sa'yo ng impossible deadline, don't be afraid to negotiate! You can say something like:

"I appreciate the urgency of this project. However, to ensure high-quality output, I would need [specific timeframe]. This will allow me to [specific tasks or reasons]. If this timeline doesn't work for you, perhaps we can discuss prioritizing certain aspects of the project or adjusting the scope to meet your deadline. What are your thoughts on this?"
Remember, it's better to under-promise and over-deliver than to agree to unrealistic deadlines and produce subpar work. Your reputation as a freelancer depends on the quality of your output, not just your ability to meet tight deadlines.
Kung ayaw talaga pa-awat, well that’s red flag na yan. Baka time to look for greener pastures na. Kasi in the long run, mas mahalaga ang quality ng work mo at mental health mo kaysa sa panandaliang kinikita mo sa isang unreasonable client.

7. Demanding

I know na, karamihan sa'tin can relate this. Lalo na kung napunta ka sa demanding na client. Oo nga part ng business ang may demands, at kahit saan ka naman pumunta meron yan. Pati nga tayo, may sarili ring demands diba? Pero 'yung unrealistic demands na sobra-sobra na sa scope at pay mo? Big NO for me yan.
Hindi ako slave, at higit sa lahat, alam ko ang worth ko. Yung tipong madaming ipapagawa sa'yo sa kasi gusto ka sulitin (okay sana kung high offer)? Ay nako, auto-pass talaga ako jan.
Yes, it's okay to be open for any opportunity and good opportunity namn yan to learn new skills, pero wag naman hanggang sa point na overwhelm ka na. Hindi naman masama ang mag-upskill, pero dapat may balance.
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Kung may client na sobrang demanding and you feel like na sobra na sa kaya mo sobra na sa kaya mosobra na sa kakayahan mo, it's important to set clear boundaries and learn to say no. You can say something like:

"I appreciate your trust in my abilities. However, some of these tasks are outside our original agreement and my area of expertise. I'd be happy to discuss how we can adjust our contract to accommodate these additional responsibilities, including fair compensation for the expanded scope. Alternatively, I can recommend some colleagues who specialize in these areas if you'd prefer."
It's okay to go above and beyond minsan, pero wag naman palagi. Kasi kung lagi kang ganun, ma-e-exploit ka lang.
Always keep in mind na ang value mo as a freelancer ay nasa quality ng work mo, hindi sa dami ng tasks na kaya mong gawin sa 8 hours. It's better to excel in your specific skill set than to be mediocre in many areas.
Remember, ang goal natin ay hindi lang kumita, kundi mag-grow din as a professional. Pero 'yung growth na 'yan, dapat sustainable at hindi nakaka-burn out.

8. Low Ball Offer

Ito talaga 'yung isa sa mga non-negotiables ko. Oo nga't lahat tayo gusto ng malaking offer (sino ba naman ang ayaw, 'di ba?), pero for me, it always boils down sa offer. At yung lowball? Ay nako, big NO talaga 'yan for me!
I understand naman na minsan, dumadating tayo sa point na nagiging desperate tayo. Minsan, 'yung mga lowball offers na $1 per hour, parang ang tempting tanggapin.
Pero before ka mag-yes, ask yourself muna:
Will accepting this offer really change your life for the better?
Kaya ba nitong i-sustain yung daily life mo?
May pamilya ka ba o may mga bills na need bayaran monthly?
Tapos after mo sagutin yan, i-consider mo rin 'to:
Magkano mo nga ulit binili yung laptop o PC mo?
Magkano ba yung monthly internet bill mo?
Yung time and effort na in-invest mo sa skills and experience mo?
Does it worth it? Ang sagot: HELL NO! Regardless kung ano reasons mo, hindi sa-sapat yan sa daily expenses mo.
Kung talagang nahihirapan kang maghanap ng client, baka it's time to rethink your freelancing plans. Pwede ka muna mag-focus sa local jobs. At least sa local job, may HMO ka, may karamay ka sa pagbabayad ng government-mandated benefits like SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, etc. Eh sa freelancing? Wala 'yan, ikaw lahat.
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Kapag may nag-offer sa'yo ng napakababang rate, don't be afraid to negotiate. You can say something like:

"I appreciate your interest in working with me. However, given my experience and the value I can bring to this project, my standard rate is [your rate]. This ensures I can deliver high-quality work that meets your expectations. Would you be open to discussing a rate that's fair for both of us?"
Note: This is only application in all cases na hindi na mentioned ung rates, pero kung nakalagay na, nagsasayang ka lang ng oras sa negotiation tactics.
Kung ayaw or walang budget talaga, maybe it's time to look for other clients. Remember, it's okay to say no to offers that don't align with your worth.
Sa huli, ikaw lang din ang magsu-suffer kung tatanggapin mo yung napakababang offer na yan - emotionally and mentally. Value yourself and your skills. And, most of all, yung pangangailangan mo.

9. Do not settle on ONE client only

Ito talaga, isa sa mga non-negotiables ko sa freelancing. As VA/Freelancer, common knowledge na natin na walang stability sa client dito. Kaya nga, I don't settle for less at as much as possible, I find at least one or two clients pa as my safety net.
Kasi isipin mo, who knows? Baka bukas o makalawa, bigla ka na lang iwan ng client mo. Parang ex mo lang eh, ghosting is real!
Tapos ano na? Pag nawalan ka ng client, bibigyan ka ba ng separation pay? Syempre hindi! Hindi ganun ka-sweet ang buhay freelancer. Kaya nga kailangan mong magtrabaho nang todo, mag-ipon para sa sarili mo at sa pamilya mo.
Kaya pag may nakita akong client na gusto ng "exclusivity", auto-pass na yan for me. May goals ako na gusto kong ma-achieve, at lahat naman tayo aspire to have a stable income. Kaya ang tip ko, dapat may at least 1 extra client ka pa.
Pero wait lang! Speaking of having multiple clients, kailangan pa rin ng moderation yan ha. Gets ko naman, nakaka-addict mag-apply pag na-taste mo na 'yung "success". Pero 'wag naman sobra-sobra. Having multiple clients can really take a toll on your health.
Yes, may multiple clients ka, malaking monthly retainer, pero at what cost naman? Sacrificing your health in exchange for a big amount of money?
Always remember: nagtratrabaho tayo para mabuhay, hindi para patayin ang sarili natin.
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Tips for managing multiple clients:

Set clear boundaries. You can tell your clients: "My working hours are from X to Y. I'll be available during these times for urgent matters."
Be honest about your capacity. If a client asks for more work, you can say: "I'd love to take on this additional project. However, to maintain the quality of work for all my clients, I can only commit to X hours per week for this. Would that work for you?"
Use time management tools. This helps you stay organized and ensures you're giving each client the attention they deserve.
Don't be afraid to say no. If you're at capacity, it's okay to turn down new opportunities. You can say: "Thank you for considering me for this project. Unfortunately, my schedule is fully booked at the moment. Would it be alright if I refer you to a trusted colleague?"
Remember, balance is key. Having multiple clients is great for financial stability, pero 'wag naman hanggang sa ma-burnout ka. Your health and well-being should always come first.
Value your skills, know your worth, and always prioritize your well-being. Kasi in the end, health mo pa rin ang pinakaimportanteng asset mo, not only sa freelancing but sa mga loved ones mo rin. Always remember: health is wealth!
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