Creator Interviewed 21 Virtual Assistants to Build a Research-First VA Resource Site

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A developer building Replyf, a Gmail tool for virtual and executive assistants, conducted one-on-one interviews with 21 working VAs and EAs before publishing any content for a new resource site called VAToolstack. The interviews revealed recurring themes that existing online guides largely ignore, including the importance of consistency over knowledge for beginners and client judgment over tool proficiency. Respondents also noted that AI has eroded the value of basic admin tasks, making specialization and AI fluency increasingly important for competitive pay. Based solely on these firsthand insights, VAToolstack aims to provide real pay data and practical advice without course upsells or keyword-driven filler. The project reflects a broader argument that user research should precede content creation, rather than the reverse.

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