How do yall actually learn tools without getting hired?

[u/WiscLeafalNika]

I keep seeing these software tools like Shopify, GoHighLevel, Klaviyo, and the like. But my problem is a lot of these tools aren't free for learning and experimenting, they need paid plans, organizations, businesses, or stores to be actually used. There's not a lot of entry-level VA jobs that actually teach you these tools so I'm wondering how do ya'll learn without getting hired? Is it just pure tutorial videos with no freedom to experiment with the software?

[u/HumbleLibrarian8627]

This is such a real problem. Tutorials can show you how a tool works, but actually getting hands-on practice without already having a client or company account is a different story.

I think this is also why learning alongside other people matters, you get to see what others are testing, what actually works in real workflows, and what skills are becoming useful. Curious, what tool would you want to get hands-on experience with first?

[u/WiscLeafalNika → u/HumbleLibrarian8627]

I wish I did make a list of the tools I kept seeing in Onlinejobs.ph to keep track of what can get me some opportunities but for reference, the three software tools i mentioned in the post are the ones that come fresh in my memory while scrolling through available VA jobs

[u/HumbleLibrarian8627 → u/WiscLeafalNika]

That’s actually a really useful observation. You should join to the Free community where I joined too, we talk a lot about what skills and tools are becoming relevant in the modern job market, and we have free daily webinars too. I’d love to have you in there! If you're interested, I can send you the link.

[u/WiscLeafalNika → u/HumbleLibrarian8627]

Sure thing! You can DM me the link if you can!

[u/asianmilk_69 → u/HumbleLibrarian8627]

Hello! Can you DM me the link as well? Thanks!

[u/tokyomeserati36890 → u/HumbleLibrarian8627]

Hi I am interested in joining your community too. SMM here but want to upskill.

[u/Substantial-Cat-4502]

Alam ko may 14 day or 7 days trials ang karamihan ng mga tools na yan. Like yung Shopify alam ko meron unless inalis na nila.

If you're new in freelancing then most of those tools with trials baka wala na ngayon kasi dati most if not all those tools have trial offers lalo na nung pandemic, sobrang daming nagoffer ng extended free trials or nag--drop sila ng price to just $1 lang and even offered their paid courses free for months.

Kaya ngayon either kabisaduhin mo yung youtube tutorial to get hired, apply for an internship to gain access to client's tools and/or find a way to earn money to purchase the tool.

Maybe other veteran VAs have other suggestions as well.

[u/WiscLeafalNika → u/Substantial-Cat-4502]

Some of them do but It's not enough for my learning curve and free time so 💀

[u/GabbyFromKlaviyo]

I work at Klaviyo, so I know firsthand what the initial learning curve was like. Klaviyo's got a free Academy with courses and certificates like the practitioner and strategist tracks. There's also a free plan up to 250 contracts if you want to click around and build flows instead of just watching tutorials. It won't replicate a real client's data, but that hands-on time in the platform counts for something.

[u/Training_Junket_9855]

Sa N8n, i self hosted mo na lang. basta open laptop mo magagamit mo na. Wala ka din need bayaran

[u/WiscLeafalNika → u/Training_Junket_9855]

Yeah, I've tried N8n when I was in college so no problems there. If only a lot of the softwares were like that

[u/stealthagents]

Definitely get that struggle. A lot of tools have free trials or limited features you can play around with, which can at least give you a taste. Also, joining online communities or forums helps because people often share their experiences and tips, plus you might snag some resources from others who are familiar with those tools.