<![CDATA[The Agenda: Podcast Miniseries]]>https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/s/podcast-miniserieshttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Z_-G!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc163415-1d94-4df7-814b-b3c97743b9ad_256x256.pngThe Agenda: Podcast Miniserieshttps://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/s/podcast-miniseriesSubstackThu, 18 Jun 2026 03:12:13 GMT<![CDATA[The future of the Assistant industry]]>https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/the-future-of-the-assistant-industryhttps://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/the-future-of-the-assistant-industryThu, 16 Oct 2025 08:30:49 GMTWe’re wrapping up the Assistant miniseries with a big-picture conversation, the future of the assistant and VA industry.

I’ve been in this world for over 15 years, and in that time I’ve seen the role change again and again, from the 2009 crash, to the explosion of tech tools, and now to AI.

Thanks for reading The Agenda! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In this episode, I’m talking about where I see things going, what makes our work truly irreplaceable, and why assistants need to be visible, strategic partners (not an exec’s “secret weapon”). I’m also sharing my thoughts on niching, the growing operational side of our roles, and the importance of keeping our skills sharp as the industry evolves. Listen now, and let me know in the comments if you dis/agree

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This week’s free download is full of resources - books, podcasts, thought leaders in the space, tech and training opportunities.

Caroline Marshall The Agenda Assistant Miniseries The Future Of The Va Industry
10.9MB ∙ PDF file
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ICYMI: You can go back and listen to the rest of the series any time

I hope you’ve enjoyed this miniseries dedicated to you! If there’s anything Assistant industry related that you would like to hear more about, please let me know.

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And we’re not done yet! Next week’s episode of the Bump to Business Owner podcast is a full length conversation with Amanda Johnson, VA, mentor and founder of the VA Training Academy and UK VA Awards. If you don’t know Amanda yet, you should. Subscribe to the podcast and make sure you don’t miss out.

And please - share this post and The Agenda with any Assistants in your network you think might benefit from it.

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Thanks for reading The Agenda! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

]]><![CDATA[Your gold standard onboarding process]]>https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/your-gold-standard-onboarding-processhttps://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/your-gold-standard-onboarding-processThu, 09 Oct 2025 09:02:10 GMTIf I had to choose a specialist subject for Mastermind, it would be onboarding.

It is my area of geek 🤓 I love it, and I have spent, and do spend a lot of time thinking about it.

As you can imagine, I have a lot to share.

Listen to the podcast episode: I’m sharing my best practice tips for creating a great onboarding process, why it’s so important, where your focus should be throughout and why you should be trying to remove yourself from it as much as possible.

Your free download - an onboarding checklist and some juicy tips for tech and automations for VA Agencies is below.

Caroline Marshall The Agenda Assistant Miniseries Onboarding Guide
9.3MB ∙ PDF file
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Next week, and last in our Assistant miniseries is The Future of the Assistant Industry. No big deal.

ICYMI: You can go back and listen to the rest of the series any time

Thanks for reading The Agenda! Subscribe for free get the next in the series - The Future of the Assistant Industry

]]><![CDATA[How to find clients as an Assistant]]>https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/how-to-find-clients-as-an-assistanthttps://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/how-to-find-clients-as-an-assistantThu, 02 Oct 2025 08:30:29 GMTEpisode 2 of our Assistant miniseries is here!

The question I get asked the most by Virtual Assistants is: ‘How do I find clients?’

There is no secret recipe - it takes time, it takes work, and it takes trying things out.

I’m sharing how I found my first client, where I’ve invested money and time to find them and the one thing that will set you apart when it comes to sales.

Listen to the How to Find Clients episode now

In December I’m hosting a panel for the Strategic PA Network: Clients for Keeps: Building a sustainable client base and coworking afterwards, if you’d like more client list building tips and to extend your network click here.

Episode 3: Your best practice onboarding process is out next Thursday, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast - don’t miss out!

ICYMI: Last week’s episode and resource: Inbox Zero, aka The Dream

]]><![CDATA[Inbox detox and a podcast miniseries for Assistants]]>https://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/a-podcast-made-especially-for-youhttps://carolinemarshallupsource.substack.com/p/a-podcast-made-especially-for-youThu, 25 Sep 2025 08:00:34 GMTDid I mention that I have a podcast? 😂

It’s back, and we’re opening the new season with a very special miniseries just for the Assistant community.

I’m covering some of the basics of business, sharing the insights and experience I’ve gained from 15 years in the industry and 5 years of running my own VA agency.

So what’s the series about?

  • Inbox Zero - still the #1 service clients are asking for, and something every business owner should be doing

  • Where to find clients - the #1 question I’m asked by VAs!

  • Onboarding - when I was an employed VA I specialised in onboarding and created a gold standard process, I’ll be breaking it down in detail

  • The future of the VA industry - Yes, AI is changing everything, in-house is seeing a resurgence, but I’m a passionate believer in us. I’ll share where I think the industry is going, the skills we need to lean into and where we can access the training we need


    The first episode is out today

Listen to the first episode now

These are short episodes that you can easily listen to on your lunchtime walk or fit into your day. And each episode is accompanied by a resource, available exclusively to The Agenda readers as a thank you for being here.

First on the list:

Inbox Zero is an essential skill, not only for you to offer as a service, but to keep on top of your own correspondence. For your work emails at least, don’t ask me about my personal email 🫠

Inbox management is the first thing that clients ask me about - a messy inbox is such an unacknowledged source of stress and so easily solved with the right system.

And we have two resources to go with it (see below):

Your Guide to Inbox Zero

Inbox Detox in a Day Checklist

Episode 2: How to find clients is out next Thursday, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast - don’t miss out!

Caroline Marshall The Agenda Assistant Miniseries Guide To Inbox Zero
9.47MB ∙ PDF file
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Caroline Marshall The Agenda Assistant Miniseries Inbox Detox In A Day Checklist
9.04MB ∙ PDF file
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Download

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