Freelance Virtual Assistant & Editor for Businesses & Authors

Sarah Bones smiling in a close-up selfie, sitting on a grey upholstered chair with a white wall and a partial picture frame in the background.

Hey, I’m Sarah

I’m a freelance virtual assistant and editor based in Essex, UK.

I support service-based businesses to build long-term and trusting relationships with their clients or customers, and convert those relationships into sales, through a variety of comprehensive virtual assistant services.

This includes writing, editing and managing high-quality copy and content, and supporting with digital marketing, admin and tech, and digital product sales funnels.

I also help non-fiction authors get manuscripts in tip top shape before submitting to literary agents or publishers, or starting the self-publishing process, though comprehensive proofreading and copy-editing services.

In addition, I love writing journalistic articles for online publications such as Huffington Post, Times Higher Education and The i Paper.

Prior to starting my business I worked in Higher Education administration and operations after completing a BA and MA in Literature.

During that time I also freelanced as a proofreader for students and academics, proofreading essays, dissertations, PhD theses, research papers and journal articles.

Since becoming self-employed seven years ago, I’ve undertaken digital marketing and copywriting training, as well as training in editing with the Publishing Training Centre.

I continuously undertake training to keep my skills fresh, relevant and useful to businesses and authors.

The variety and breadth of my skills, knowledge and experience helps me build strong relationships with my clients, and I’ve been working with many of them for several years.

What you get when you work with me

  • I only work as a VA for service-based businesses (rather than product businesses), and only edit non-fiction.

    This is what I know and love, and have the most experience with, and through this I’ve become an expert in these areas.

    I’m committed to my own professional development and regularly update my writing, editing and marketing knowledge and skills.

    I have an Award in Digital Marketing from the Data and Marketing Association, and have trained in editing with the Publishing Training Centre.

    I continuously undertake further training to keep my skills fresh and best serve my lovely clients.

  • I spend a lot of time at the start of our time together getting to know you and your goals.

    This in-depth research is key to me really understanding what you need any work I do for you to achieve as part of your bigger picture.

    I'll do this before starting any work to make sure we're both on the same page to avoid any wasted time.

  • I’m not just a VA and editor — I’m also a strategist.

    I'm always happy to chat general business strategy and contribute my ideas on running, marketing and growing your successful business, or marketing your book.

    I hope you’ll come to respect my viewpoint and suggestions once I’ve proved my worth.

  • I’ll keep you updated throughout our time together, letting you know what’s going on and when you can expect tasks to be completed.

    Communication and collaboration is where the magic happens!

    You can also rest assured I’ll deliver what I say I will, when I say I will.

    You’re trusting me with something you've worked so hard to create, and I’ll honour that trust by keeping my promises.

A woman sitting at a dining table with a laptop, bananas, and a fruit platter, inside a room with large glass doors and a view of a green backyard.

“Having recently changed career and started a new business I needed to get to grips with the business side of Facebook.

Through a recommendation I had a face-to-face meeting with Sarah to discuss my needs. She quickly grasped my demographic and industry.

She then set up several social media platforms and now provides regular promotional posts and also useful, relevant ideas.

I have gained a significant level of new business through Sarah’s professional help and social media skills. Highly recommended!”

— Jonathan, Driving Instructor

Services

AUTHOR EDITING

Copy-editing and proofreading of non-fiction manuscripts. Get your work perfectly polished before submission to a literary agent or publisher, or starting the self-publishing process.

LEARN MORE

VIRTUAL ASSISTANCE

Support for service businesses with copy and content, digital marketing, admin and tech, and digital product sales funnels.

GET THE DETAILS

Qualifications & Certificates

  • Certificate awarding Sarah Bones the IDM Award in Digital Marketing from The Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing.
  • Udemy certificate of completion for a copywriting course titled 'The Complete Copywriting Course: Write to Sell Like a Pro' awarded to Sarah Bones, dated March 22, 2022, for three hours
  • Udemy certificate of completion for a course titled 'Write Magnetic Emails: Your Superpower at Work + in Business,' awarded to Sarah Bones on July 15, 2022, for 1.5 total hours, instructed by Tamsin Henderson.
  • A yellow circular badge or sticker with black and white text. It says 'Social Media Foundation', 'Digital Mums', and 'I've successfully completed' in the center, with a megaphone icon below the text. There are two black stars and some decorative dots around the edge.
  • Certificate of Completion awarded to Sarah Bones for completing an e-learning course in editing fiction from The Publishing Training Centre.

Ready to get started?

LET'S GO
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