How do I get clients as a Virtual Assistant?

A question I see over and over again at various VA forums. Here is my answer:

Networking is very important when running a business, any business. Businesses only succeed if they have clients. It’s why you see advertisements in magazines, newspapers and on TV and why you hear them on the radio. It’s why there are lots and lots of different types of business networks that meet regularly, be it weekly, fortnightly, monthly or ad-hoc. It’s why there are associations for every industry out there. It’s why there are business coaches and marketing consultants. You can’t run your business alone. You need the help of others to attract the right clients for you.

So, register with 2 or 3 VA networks and start learning from your peers, and responding to job-leads or requests for proposals (RFPs). The network I run has a RFP system where clients fill out a form outlining the help they need and members of our team respond direct to the client.

You also need to be going out and meeting people in your local area – business people who have need of your skills. And if you have determined what or who your target market is, then find out about their industry association events and go and attend them. I did that with the professional speaking industry here in Australia and look after several professional speakers amongst other clients.

There are other ways of finding clients and once you get in that mode of seeking, you’ll come up with all sorts of ideas. The key is to never stop marketing your business, otherwise it will drop off again after a busy period.