One of the hardest parts working for yourself as a virtual assistant is the quest to find your very first paying client. This is one of the most difficult times in any VA business and is where some people end up giving up.
These tips will help you be one of the military virtual assistants who succeed.
Tell Everyone You Know
This may seem like an obvious thing to do but you would be shocked to learn that a lot of people who start a virtual assistant business don’t tell anyone they know about it. This is a HUGE mistake. You want to get the word out to everyone you know, because they may know someone that could use your services. Keep your business cards with you at all times and offer an incentive to get people to send you a paying client. Word of mouth goes far in the military community, so make sure to tell people about your new business.
Get Involved
Being involved on your military base, in your local community and online communities will have you become known. Don’t become a sales person, just be yourself and when someone asks you what you do, be ready with an answer. You can usually find networking events on sites such as MeetUps.com. Most military bases also have Facebook Groups where you can meet other military spouses and members.
Be Social
Make sure all of your profiles on social media are compelling and informative. Post a professional profile image that shows your face and eyes. Join various groups online, consisting of both your target audience and your competition. Get to know people, assist people, let your profile speak for itself.
Build Your Reputation
Take the time now that you don’t have any client work to build your reputation. Participate in webinars, discussions, Facebook Lives and show your professional knowledge about your niche and how you can solve peoples problems. Offer to moderate a forum or LinkedIn group that aligns with your target market. Write a book, blog, guest blog and work on freebies to give away so you can build your email list.
Optimize Your Website
Your website is your storefront. Make sure that it works on all devices and loads fast. Use keyword-rich titles, appropriate anchor text and publish informative blog posts on a regular basis. Ensure that you have at least a home page, about us, service page, blog and contact page. Make sure there is no mistaking what it is your do when someone visits your website.
Be Your Own Client
One of the best demonstrations of what you can do involves being an extraordinary example of what it is you do. If you are a social media expert than your social media channels should be full with content, engagement and followers. If you are a web designer than your website should demonstrate all the bells and whistles.
Once you get that very first client, it will begin a snowball effect. That clients will tell other people and before you know it you’ll have a full client roster and even a waiting list.
Looking for clients? Join the VAinsiders Club to access their busy job board.
