When I started my Virtual Assisting business almost 2 years ago I saw success FAST. Within eight days of starting the business I signed my first client. Two weeks later, I left my corporate job. Another two weeks and I had the clients (and income) to replace my 9-5 salary. Within months, I added contractors to my team, took on more clients and scaled to 10K+ months.
When people hear about this, they always want to know HOW I did it. HOW I landed so many clients so quickly, HOW I figured out when to bring on my first team members, HOW I created raving fans that kept sending me burning hot leads and HOW I was always full and on a waiting list.
If there’s 1 thing I’ve learned to do well as an online entrepreneur it’s attracting and signing clients.
And y’all…paying clients are what takes you from an expensive hobby to a real, big girl business.
So today, I’m sharing my 5 foolproof ways to land your first or next virtual client. They’re the ways I found my first clients, the ways I tell my clients to look for clients, and when you commit to them and actually show up…they’re foolproof.
Let’s dive in!
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Use your professional network.
If you’re assuming the market is tapped and there’s no way you’ll never find clients you are so wrong, sister! I know online virtual pros whose clients come entirely from a business I know NOTHING about. Examples of this include realtors, lawyers, MLMs and writers. While most of my business came from the online entrepreneur space that is DEFINITELY not the only place where business owners are hirings virtual support. Don’t be afraid to tap into your professional network (via Linkedin, direct outreach, etc.) to let people know you’re open for business and that you’d love to help them. In your outreach you’ll want to include who you are, why you started your business, what your skills or specialties are and how to get in contact with you.
2. Use your personal network.
This one has a REALLY HIGH success rate. Think about your personal network for a second. Do you have family and close friends who own a business (or know someone who does)? Chances are, YOU DO! And chances are, they know someone who needs your help! Craft a well-worded email (or Facebook post) to your personal network and send it on out. Just as you did in your professional network outreach above, you’ll want to include who you are, why you started your business, what your skills or specialties are and how to get in contact with you.
Then, don’t forget to FOLLOW UP! This is the step that so many people miss and it’s an important one. The more you SHOW people how interested you are, the more they’re going to be interested in working with you.
3. Subcontract.
If you’re a Virtual Assistant, connect with other busy VAs or OBMs (both online or in-person) and find out if they using subcontractors. Bringing on subcontractors is one of the ways to scale a VA or OBM business and it happens to be a perfect way for you to get a client (the VA)! Subcontracting builds your network, gives you more experience and the possibility of referrals down the line.
Here are a few places to connect with other Virtual Assistants: facebook groups geared towards your market, Instagram (use the #virtualassistant hashtag to search), IVAA (International Virtual Assistants Association).
4. Hang out in Facebook groups.
This is my #1 tip and it’s so successful you should be RUNNING to Facebook right now. Go find some entrepreneurial or blogger Facebook groups. Hang out in there to understand who is there and what their business needs are. When someone asks for a recommendation for a VA, respond! When someone asks for tech help (something that often happens in these groups) help them! When one of these group members runs a free challenge, ENTER IT! That’s actually how I got my first 2 clients, just by entering a challenge and giving tons of free value.
The key here is engaging with other people, not just looking for ways you can work with people. If you show up and want to truly be of service to others, you’ll always find what you’re looking for.
5. Find a Mentor.
And stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Get support from someone who has built and scaled an online business in a way that aligns with your values and personal needs.
I just off-boarded a client this past week and as we were reflecting on all of the progress she has made during our time together she noted that the top 2 things she got out of mentoring was confidence and…LEADS. Something that sets my mentoring apart from all others is that I provide my VA, OBM and SMM clients with leads that come to me through my service provider matchmaking service.
This client was able to go from having no clients to $6,000 + $7,000 months during our time together, thanks in large part to the leads I sent her way.
So there you have it, friend! 5 foolproof ways to land your next virtual client. Found something else that works for you? Share it with me! I’d love to hear what else is makin’ it rain for ya!
