Start With the People You Know

When you’re just getting started as a Virtual Assistant, it’s hard to imagine where your first clients are going to come from. You might be looking for opportunities on Facebook, LinkedIn or job posting websites, but not hitting the jackpot like you were hoping.

I have some good news on this topic – your best clients are going to be people you already know or referrals, so the best way to get clients is to spread the word yourself.

The first step is to send an email announcement to everyone you know. Here’s how:

1. Get all your contacts in one place. Search your Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections, email address book and business cards. Put them in an Excel spreadsheet.
2. Open a MailChimp account. Import all your contacts, choose a template and create a simple announcement letting all your contacts, friends and family know you’re in business. Something like this:

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my Virtual Assistant business, RocketGirl Solutions. I specialize in providing office admin support for small businesses.

I hope you’ll check out my website and let me know what you think.

If you don’t have a website, provide a link to your LinkedIn profile, making sure that it’s complete, up-to-date and has a wonderful professional headshot of you. Visit mine for ideas on how to do that here.

If you’re not already a member of our Facebook Group, The Virtual Assistant Connection, and would like to join, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevaconnection/