Standard equipment

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 1. Personal Computer or Laptop

 Depending on your needs, it is the backbone of your chosen freelancing career. As a work machine, this is where majority of the action happens.

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PC vs Laptop?

 A PC is more customizable and upgradable. It can handle more processes and you have the freedom to get a large monitor, double or even triple monitors, speaker set up, mouse and keyboard. However, it is limited to a certain space once it is set up.

 

Choose a laptop (notebook computer) if you think that you will moving a lot, going back and forth between places. You can get your job done almost anywhere – a café, transport terminal, on a bus/plane, by the beach. It also boots up faster than a PC. Its downside is the limited monitor size, keyboard and mouse pad. After a few years of use, you may need to buy a new unit altogether.

 

2. Quality Headset

Whether with an employer or client, a good headset is your best tool for excellent communications. It helps you concentrate on the conversation without the bother of holding a handset to you ear and the sound quality is much better both ways. Background noise is also substantially eliminated.

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 3. High-speed Internet Service

 This is a given, without a good internet provider, you won’t get past the interview which is 99% done via a voice or video call. Depending on the scope of tasks and responsibilities, many employers require at least a 5Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speed.

 As for the type of connection, there are quite a number of choices – Fiber, DSL, LTE, wired, cable and wireless.

The key is to get a provider that has a high stability rate, with the least number of downtimes. A VA who is always unavailable due to “internet down” leaves a bad impression on the client, no matter how good the VA is.

 

Other peripheral tools

-Mouse and keyboard. A good mouse and keyboard set will ensure that you work hassle free and even stress free. A keyboard with a dysfunctional key or a non-responsive mouse may take a toll on your productivity

- Mobile phone. This can be your back up – reminders, alerts, notepad and even emergency Wifi source.

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Basic Tools - DROPBOX

 Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by the American company Dropbox, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software.

 

 Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_vUEW-ONsQ

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Basic Tools - GOOGLE APPS

G Suite is a set of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, software and products developed by Google. Google Apps facilitates the provisioning of Google applications and user/enterprise management tools, including Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Videos and Google Cloud Connect.

 

Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMWrsRNveSI

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Basic Tools - SKYPE

 Skype is a telecommunications application that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices, the Xbox One console, and smartwatches via the Internet. Skype also provides instant messaging services. Users may transmit text, video, audio and images.

 Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMAeAeyh7zM

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Basic Tools - GRAMMARLY

Grammarly is an app that automatically detects potential grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, and style mistakes in writing. Grammarly's algorithms flag potential issues in the text and suggest context-specific corrections for grammar, spelling, wordiness, style, punctuation, and plagiarism.

Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zADj0k0waFY&feature=youtu.be

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Basic Tools - EVERNOTE

 It's an app for your smartphone, tablet, computer, and even your Moleskine notebook. It's just what the name implies: an application that serves as your notetaker, PDA, pocket notebook, to-do list, etc. The beauty of Evernote is that it syncs automatically across all your devices, and across all your operating systems.

 Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMSfGvfPwFk

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Basic Tools - HOOTSUITE

Hootsuite is one of many tools referred to as a "Social Media Management System" or tool. It helps you keep track and manage your many social network channels. It can enable you to monitor what people are saying about your brand and help you respond instantly.

 

Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg1BcNDXBi4

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Basic Tools - TRELLO

 Trello is a task management app that gives you a visual overview of what is being worked on and who is working on it. Trello lets you work more collaboratively and get more done. Trello’s boards, lists, and cards enable you to organize and prioritize your projects in a fun, flexible, and rewarding way

 Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xky48zyL9iA

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Basic Tools - TOGGL

Toggl is a time tracking app that allows you to track your daily activities across different platforms; providing you with detailed insights and an opportunity to optimize your workflow by identifying areas where you can improve.

 

Click here to see overview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzeEkWMn5cU

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Basic Tools - CANVA

 Canva is a simplified graphic- design tool website that uses a drag-and-drop format and provides access to photographs, vector images, graphics, and fonts. It is used by non-designers as well as professionals. The tools can be used for both web and print media design and graphics.

 Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvxD-rGSXpk

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Basic Tools - SNAG IT

Snagit is a screenshot program that captures video display and audio output.

 

Click here to see overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sVXP8R7bBE

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Basic Tools - DOCUSIGN

 DocuSign helps companies and individuals go 100% digital. DocuSign's easy-to-use digital transaction platform lets users send, sign and manage legally binding documents securely in the cloud.

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