12 Ways To Find Clients As A Virtual Assistant
The most common question I hear from new and aspiring Virtual Assistants is…
“How do I find Virtual Assistant clients?”
The process is so daunting that some Virtual Assistants stop before they even start. There are different ways to find clients to work with. In this blog post, I’m sharing 12.
One of the best places to share your valuable content is on social media platforms, like Instagram, where your dream clients hang out. Posting regularly and consistently on Instagram will show them how you can solve their problems.
Facebook Groups
Groups can be a secret weapon for you to connect with new client leads and get them curious to check out your business and find out what services you offer. The key is to select groups where you can directly connect with your ideal clients. Then, engage in these groups several times per week. Participating consistently is what will land you the clients you want. But remember, don’t allow it to become a time suck.
Your Community of Family & Friends
Once you have a website setup or where your ideal clients can find you online, let your closest friends and family know that you’ve launched a virtual assistant business. Since they probably won’t know what a Virtual Assistant is, explain what you do, the services you provide, and who you want to work with! Ask them to share your contact page or website with anyone in their network that might need support. Your friends and family can’t help you if they don’t know you’re looking for work. So let your entire address book know and tell them what a VA does and why people should hire them.
Networking
Take advantage of your past business connections from prior networking groups or jobs. Reach out to your past or current trusted coworkers or members of local networking groups to share your services! Even though you can have clients anywhere in the world, you can start in your local area because you’re already part of the community. You can set up coffee meetings with people you meet networking, have face-to-face consultations, and even go into clients’ offices. Starting locally is an excellent way to gain experience and confidence so that you already have an established business if and when you decide to work virtually.
Small Local Businesses In Your Area
Spend time researching local small businesses needing virtual assistant support, like social media management, website design, or general admin. The best businesses to look for are hair salons, yoga studios, accountants, real estate agents, and one-man or woman show attorney offices. These businesses usually have smaller teams that can use the extra support of a VA. Then send an email letting them know what you love about their business and how you could work together!
Referrals From Previous Clients
This more advanced strategy requires you to have landed your first few clients. However, it can be instrumental to the success of your business. Implement a referral strategy from day one of your business and offer a referral discount or promotion to encourage your first few clients to share your business with their friends.
Current /Previous Employer or Work Connection
The great thing about this method is even if those exact people don’t need your help, they can often serve as a demographic profile for your ideal client. You know what their lives look like, where they are online, what they do all day, what their pain points are, what their long-term goals are, what events they go to, what LinkedIn groups they’re in etc.
Cold Pitching
Finding, researching, qualifying then contacting people you want to work with can be a successful method to get my clients. If you know what niche you want to work with, then it makes sense to contact them directly to explain how and why you can help them. This method is excellent because you decide who you want to work with. You’re not accepting every inquiry that comes in, you’re not competing with other VAs, and you’re totally in control of your business. I don’t necessarily like cold pitching, but it is a method that many virtual assistants use.
LinkedIn
To grow a LinkedIn following, you post content that helps solopreneurs and small business owners accomplish more while doing less. You engage with the community you want to appeal to without selling. LinkedIn is a lead generation powerhouse, not only for established businesses but also for solopreneurs. If LinkedIn is frustrating for you, that’s likely because you are treating it like any other social media platform. It isn’t. Your audience here is a learned professional who appreciates rare-to-find information, honesty, and vulnerability. LinkedIn is an excellent place to have a profile if your ideal client is an executive and executive type. If your ideal client is a blogger, Facebook groups are probably a better option.
Website (Organic)
Your goal should always be to have clients come to you instead of having to find them. One way you could achieve this dream is to create a website that is discoverable on Google. Write and rewrite your copy until you know it speaks to the heart and soul of your ideal client. Your branding needs to stand out as well. Choose your brand colors and be consistent with how you use them. Hopefully, one day, clients will come looking for YOU!
Beta Test Your VA Services
If you’re a new VA or want to try out a new service, you may want to consider beta-testing your services. A beta test is when you give a sample of your service for low or no cost in return for feedback you can use to improve your services or add more value. If you decide to beta test, I won’t do this with more than 1 or 2 people.
Become a Subcontractor
If finding clients still seems too overwhelming, another option is to sub-contract for another Virtual Assistant or virtual assistant agency. It’s a great way to get paid for your expertise while learning the business side. I started by working with my clients and subbing for an OBM, which was a blessing. I got to see behind the curtain and learn how to run a business since I’d never done it before. Plus, it helped me gain confidence and experience as a VA. Not only did this give me work right away, but I also didn’t have the headache and overwhelm of dealing with contracts or direct client contact. It was an excellent way for me to build my skills and portfolio.
The truth is…
…finding clients for your virtual assistant business can be problematic initially because it requires a complete paradigm shift in how you approach freelancing and the online business world. However, once you know your ideal client, it’s easy to find more like them.
There are many ways to get clients; these are just the twelve that seem to have the highest success rate. I know it can be daunting and scary to start talking about your business, marketing your business, and showing your face when you first start, but I promise you that it gets easier with time.
Remember, it’s YOUR business, which means you choose who you work with and how much you make. You don’t have to take every client that wants to work with you. That’s one of the freedoms of working for yourself.
