Published:
03/20/2013 08:55pm
If I Were a New VA, I'd Start Here
After being in business for 7 years, we have learned what it takes to grow a successful business. We had no idea when we started our first Virtual Assistance business that friends, family and associates would constantly ask the same question: "How did you do it?"
Every single day of the week, we have new members join our community and ask a sought-after question. That question is, "How do I get clients?" Follow along as I share some foundational work that you can copy and start to implement today.
If I were a new Virtual Assistant trying to grow a business, I would do the following:
1. Assess my marketable skills - In the 17 years that I have been in the work force, I have developed many skills and a wealth of knowledge. People pay for the skills and talents that I use on a daily basis.
2. Determine what problems my skills solve - Even as an administrative assistant, I solved problems for the people that I worked for. Who created all those spreadsheets and documents and booked all of those travel arrangements? Me, that's who! If a company paid me for it then, someone will pay me for it as a VA.
3. List the benefits that my clients will receive when I solve their problem - For a fact, I know that my clients will experience less stress and fewer headaches when I solve their problems. They will also be able to focus on income generating activities as I care for their administrative overwhelm.
4. Find out who struggles with the problems that I solve - There are a lot of micro-business owners who need the skills that I have. I would reach out to my warm market, or the people who are in my personal network, to tell them about my business as a VA. I'd simply ask, "Do you know people who are dealing with the problems that I solve?"
5. Locate where those people 'hang out' - Here is where looking into associations and Meet-ups is helpful. I would definitely join a networking group such as BNI in order to expand my network and receive introductions to people who are looking for my services.
6. Show up in those 'hang out' places - I would take action and show up offline and online where people who need me are spending their time.
7. Help others to solve their problems - Being a valuable resource for others will make me stand out as a "go-to person" when people need help.
8. Deepen the connections that I make with people - Staying in touch with people that I meet will keep me top of mind when they or something in their network is looking for the solutions that I provide.
9. Exchange my solutions for fees at the appropriate time - The more connections I make with individuals, the more opportunities I'll have to exchange my expertise for a fee. Potential clients are already looking for my services. I just need to show up as the solution at the right time.
This list is by no means comprehensive. The key to finding clients is becoming a problem solver in your industry. View prospective clients as people who are looking for solutions to their problems. View your business as THE Solution to their problems. As long as you continue to put yourself in a position to solve other people's problems, you will always be in business.
Is running a business challenging? Of course! Going in to work for a company every day is also challenging at times. If you want to be successful in running your own Virtual Assistance company, you will need to become adept at the points listed above. Show up in a big way for the people who are already looking for your help. Serve them well and become a VA success story!
Sydni Craig-Hart, The VA Success Coach™, is Founder of Executive Assistant to Virtual Assistant!, a company dedicated to providing Administrative Professionals with the support, tools and resources they need to create a highly successful, profitable Virtual Assistant business. Visit www.VASuccessSecrets.com to listen to Sydni's FREE audio class "Discover How To Start A Profitable Virtual Assistant Business... From Scratch Nothing!"
