Applying To Job Ads In Your Local Paper
Here’s a way of finding clients that I haven’t really discussed much on this blog so far - applying to job advertisements in your local paper.
You’ll find smaller businesses looking for in-house admin, secretarial, clerical, marketing, bookkeeping etc support that haven’t heard of a Virtual Assistant. They could be looking for someone full-time or part-time. Whatever the case, these businesses are all potential clients that you could be working with. They just need some education about Virtual Assistance.
Put together a letter which explains the virtual services you provide and the benefits of working with a Virtual Assistant. These include cost savings because they don’t need to provide office space, equipment or any of the other things that in-house employees need to get the job done. They only pay by the hour for the work that needs doing, not for times when there is hardly anything going on. Also, there’s no need for them to have to deal with tedious paperwork and the admin of employing staff.
If you can, follow up your letter with a phone call. Suggest an obligation-free meeting to discuss their needs. It’s much easier to get the benefits across when you’re in a face-to-face meeting.You may need to offer to work in their offices for a few hours a day initially, so they can get to know and trust you. Eventually, if all goes well and they’re comfortable with your services, you should be able to do the work from your home office as a Virtual Assistant.
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I am very interested in becoming a Virtual Assistant. I don’t know where to start the sites I have tried don’t seem to go anywhere.
What help can you give?
Lisa - you are doing a great job. Always a pleasure to read your tips.
Hello, Great Info
By me being a newbie and trying to get my Business up and going, this info will really help.
Thanks alot for the tip and sharing the info.
Patricia H.
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing this. Believe it or not… It has caused me to think more about the secrets I know of top Internet marketers and how they go about managing the many relationships they have.
Kennon
hey lisa!!
bronton31@bigpond.com
your thoughts are exactly what i did nearly a year ago. i sent out about 15000 emails to business’ and 50% thought it was a great idea but didn’t need it, or would look into it in about a years time but what i might do instead (as i sent the emails all around australia) is stick with the local suburbs and over the gold coast, which is where i live and see what happens. it unfortunately just gets a bit exhausting/heartaching when you send out so many and not get many replies but as my hubby and you have both said, it’s a new field of admin that is great to use but not many companies really know or understand it
bron
Hi Lisa,
This is a great idea and one that I have looked at, also jobs that are advertised on my local radio station. One problem that I have found, however, is that quite a proportion of the vacancies are actually advertised through agencies, not directly by the company and agencies tend to want to get people on to their books rather than have a Virtual Assistant “poach” clients who go through them. If you can get direct to the company then it’s a way forward.
Kind regards,
Margaret
Lisa - This is excellent information for the beginning VA. This is how I started my business. Thanks for reminding me to check the want ads for more leads; I have fallen off of that boat.
Hi Lisa,
I’m just starting up my VA business in London so all advice on how to get clients is useful for me! This isn’t an idea that I would have thought of but I’ll definitely look into it now.
Thanks for the great advice and tips on the site - it’s great to have this kind of support when you’re starting up on your own.
Kind regards,
Valerie
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for that great advice. I have thought about that but didn’t have a pitch ready to sell. I better get on the ball with things, because there are so many companies, looking for part-time help and office assistants. I’m realizing now that many companies either never heard of a Virtual Assistant or don’t understand the benefits to thme. As a virtual assistant, I’ll be glad to provide them with the knowledge.
Angela
Hi Lisa,
I had thought about doing this some time ago but I did not know if it was worth it, I will give it a go in the near future.
Thanks for reminding me!
Regards
Vicky
Great idea Lisa! It turned a bulb on in my head.
Hello Lisa,
Thanks for all the pep talks and all the constant encouragement as well as the advises that you are handing out to us, and to those who wanted to start a career as virtual PAs.
Best of luck and more power!
Cheryl
Hi Lisa,
Very informative article. I have started my VA business for about 1 month now. The clients that I have are still adapting to the benefits of having a VA. I go to their offices for a few hours each day. I am trying to get away from that but I know that it will take time for clients to understand the service that I provide. Although I earned a decent income this month, your article has provided a way for me to reach more clients.
Thanks and God bless.