Almost every new virtual assistant, or soon-to-be virtual assistant, is a little nervous about their skillset. For most, myself included, your prior work experience doesn’t necessarily involve working with online businesses – at least not solopreneurs or small businesses who are still trying to navigate the online space themselves.
Back when I was hoping to learn in-demand skills as a new virtual assistant, I turned to VAClassroom. VAClassroom recently rebranded to Freelance University, so what better time for a review?
Have you heard about Freelance University yet? Do you want to know if it’s worth the investment? Keep reading for my Freelance University Review.
The History of Freelance University
Back in 2008, Craig and Kelly Cannings couldn’t find comprehensive training or support for virtual assistants. They’d spent the previous five years growing a freelance business through sweat and tears and had learned many lessons the hard way. They wanted to pave the way for others, so they launched VAClassroom.
Their goal was to provide a “one-stop platform for Virtual Assistants, Freelancer and Online Professionals to learn and develop in-demand skills.”
They succeeded.
When I was working as a VA, I took several classes through VAClassroom. They offered top-notch coursework covering the most in-demand skills. It was through their courses that I first learned how to remotely assist bloggers and manage online communities. I went back to VAClassroom several times to improve my skillset through their individual courses.
Fast forward a few years, and VAClassroom rebranded as Freelance University,aka FreelanceU, aka FreeU. Since their initial launch, the Cannings have helped over 12,000 individuals improve their skills and make money online.
What Is Freelance University?
Freelance University is the premier training company for growing an in-demand niche business. When you pay your tuition, you have immediate access to an extensive course library that is regularly updated, plus access to a host of other benefits including:
- Industry-leading certification programs
- A 90-minute live workshop each month
- A monthly live Q&A webinar with Chief Learning Officer Craig Cannings
- A software sandbox so you can practice using industry-leading software and successfully support your clients with it
- Freelance 101 – a 10-module course to help you start your new business from the ground up
- A private Facebook Group so you can connect with others in the community
- Your own visually appealing Professional Profile web page
- A listing in the popular Freelance Directory to help you connect with potential clients
There are many additional benefits.
The value provided is phenomenal. You will not believe how many incredibly useful items are included with your tuition. They have certainly expanded their course offerings since I went through their VA classes several years ago, and I’m so excited by how much is available.
What Classes Are Available at Freelance University?
Courses at Freelance University cover seven main tracks of learning. Within each track, you will find multiple courses designed to teach you everything you need to know to succeed.
The seven tracks are:
- Social Media
- Content Creation and Management
- Business Management and Support
- Technology
- Digital Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Digital Media & Events
To show you how many different classes there are, let’s take a peek at their Content Creation and Management track.
Here are the courses included:
- Digital Content Management Program
- Launch Your Online Course in 30 Days
- Content Marketing Mastery Course
- Design Online Newsletters
- Create Online Sales Pages
- Design Online Courses
- Create Engaging Blog Posts
- Design Online Presentations
Within the Content Creation and Management Track, there are also several workshops. These include:
- Website Writing Success
- Writing Powerful Email Sequences
- The Online Course Builder Workshop
- The Fine Art of Writing Effective Headlines
- Repurpose Your Online Content
All of this is just in that one track.
There are six other tracks for you to explore.
And, they are constantly adding new material. In fact, they add 18 new, relevant courses each year. So, this list will expand over time.
Pros of Enrolling with Freelance University
If you want to launch or grow a freelance business, Freelance University might be a great way to help you get the skills (and confidence) you need.
There are many positive elements about joining. You get immediate access to all the material listed above, and more. You get to join a Facebook Group and start making connections with other virtual professionals.
The Professional Profile web page can help you find clients without investing in a website of your own. It’s a great way to get started without having to make another purchase right away.
The learning platform is beautiful. It’s easy to use and very intuitive. You will be able to quickly find the course you want to begin and get started straight away.
There are courses for beginners and experienced freelancers.
If you are a beginner, there are several start-up courses just for you. With these, you can learn how to plan your business, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build a personal brand, and package your services.
But, even if you already have a business, I’m willing to bet you could learn a thing or two from these series of courses. They are so in-depth. No matter where you are on the journey, you can find material to help you grow your business.
Craig and Kelly care about their students. They are very supportive and accessible. Craig has monthly office hours during a Q&A webinar, so you can ask questions and get feedback about what you’re currently struggling with. They want you to succeed and have created Freelance University to help you do just that.
Another positive part of joining Freelance University is that their pricing model includes everything. You aren’t going to be slammed with hidden fees. You can select between a monthly tuition fee and an annual one. If you opt to pay every year, you will get three months for free, which is a killer deal!
Also, there is a 15-day cancellation policy. You can pay your tuition and spend a few days exploring the content. If you decide it’s not a good fit, you can request a cancellation and you will get your money back.
Before Enrolling in Freelance University…
No program is perfect, and even a great program like Freelance University won’t be a good fit for everyone.
Here are three questions to ask yourself before joining.
How Do You Handle Information Overload?
While most students love being able to access everything and learn whatever skills they are interested in, some people are very overwhelmed by the sheer number of courses.
If you struggle with information overload, you may want to make the decision to stick with one series of courses through completion. Then you can stay focused and on-track.
Do You Want to Launch Your Own Business?
Think about your goals and dreams. Is being your own boss one of them? Or would you prefer to work for someone else and collect a steady paycheck and benefits?
Freelance University is designed for people who want to work for themselves. If you don’t really want to do that, I wouldn’t recommend signing up.
Are You Ready to Take Action?
There are no guarantees in the freelance world. But, if you join the program and never open your classes or take the action steps, you are not going to succeed. You must be willing to take action to see results.
If you are not ready, I recommend holding off. There’s no sense in paying for something that you are legitimately not going to use.
My Freelance University Review Bottom Line
If you are ready to take action and grow a thriving freelance business, I highly recommend Freelance University. For the tuition, you get an extremely valuable return. I review a lot of online coursework. In many instances today, you will pay more for a single training track at many places than you will pay at Freelance University for their full catalog of over 80 courses, workshops and training programs. That’s a lot for your money!
FreelanceU isn’t always open for new students, but a new intake is happening in September. Sign up for their list to be notified when the doors open. It’s going to be epic inside!
P.S. September 12, 2019, Freelance University will be hosting a free webinar titled: “Discover Seven Powerful Income Streams to Ignite Your Freelance Success” during which they will share:
- Four critical factors to guide your freelance success as you approach 2020
- Three steps to uncovering a profitable and rewarding niche service
- Seven portal and profitable income streams to add to your freelance business right away
- The #1 way to build new client opportunities this year and beyond!
If you reserve your seat now, you will also receive their free report “Ten Freelancing Mistakes to Avoid Like the Plague” which includes some helpful strategies to overcome these common business challenges. Sign up here.