Time Is Not the Issue
Nov 21, 2022
Last week, I was talking to a new VA about her business. She was discouraged that she didn’t have more clients and said to me, “I know it’s going to take time, it’s only been 6 months. I guess I need to be patient.”
As soon as what she said registered in my brain, I said, “WAIT! Time is not the problem.”
You don’t get clients by waiting patiently. Nor do you get clients by taking the advice you’ve heard on the Internet – like you’ll get clients by being really active on social media, you need to cold call to get clients, you need a niche to get clients, and my favorite, you need to know who your ideal client is before anyone will hire you. Question: how can you possibly know who your ideal client is if you’ve never had one?
Yes, businesses take time to get set up – you need to get an EIN, build your website, open your bank account, and things like that. But I want you to do those things while you’re getting clients.
Here’s the most direct route to making it happen:
- Spread the word. Tell everyone you know about your business. Don’t try to figure out who will hire you, or who won’t. Prospecting is a big waste of time. I want you to tell your friends, your family, your past co-workers, and your babysitter. I’m not kidding.
- Attend networking events. Don’t panic. You don’t have to leave your house, but unless you already have a contact list in the hundreds, you need to meet new people. There are MANY places to do this. One that my students have had great success with is The Happy Neighborhood Project. They have meetings all over the world at all times, day and night. Look for in-person meetings, too. Contact your local library and use Google to find out what’s around you. Hint: you’re looking for fellow entrepreneurs.
- Keep in touch with your people. You want to stay top of mind with the people you know, so that if someone asks them if they know anyone who can help them with [fill-in-the-blank], your name will roll off their tongue.
There are many ways to do this that are effective. My two favorites for fast results are email newsletters, and stay-in-touch emails. Click the links to read more about each method.
Creating a successful Virtual Assistant business depends on getting great clients. Be sure you’re focusing your time and efforts on the things that will get your business rolling. I know it can be scary to put yourself out there, but remember, you’re the solution to someone’s problem and they can’t wait to meet you.
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/
