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How To Find Virtual Assisting Gigs
By: Stacey Wockenfuss
Today I am going to tell you a couple quick resources for finding virtual assisting and other WAH gigs whether you are just starting out or established in your niche market.
I always tell my coaching clients that it’s important to spend as much time looking for VA gigs or WAH jobs as you would be putting into your business. That means, if you want to work 20 hours a week, then you should be spending 20 hours a week looking for clients, gigs, and promoting and advertising yourself.
It’s that simple. Trust me I know how hard it can be to stay motivated when you aren’t getting any bites or offers (I have been there many times). I have also found myself in unwanted predicaments where I have had a client flake on payments, ect. I have been able to replace them quickly and easily by implementing my own promotional methods detailed below. If you put in the effort you will get a huge return.
Where do you get your clients?
This is by far the question I get asked the most by email and phone. It’s really easy to find clients if you know the right places to look and how to promote yourself. Here are a few tips and tricks you should always follow:
1)
Have a Website
If you don’t have website then you are way behind everyone else in the game. This is by far the most important thing to consider when opening up your VA practice.
A website shows that you are a professional, you mean business, and you have established yourself in the industry. It also gives potential clients a starting place to check out your rates, abilities, and overall skill set.
A website doesn’t have to be fancy. I started off with a simple one page site hosted FREE by my ISP. If you don’t have the funds to get a hosted site, check out your ISP they usually have free pages you can use.
2)
Check Out the Online Bidding Sites
I know there are a lot of established VA’s out there that suggest you steer clear of elance and guru.com. But let me tell you something…Guru.com is one of my best friends J. Without the clients that I have gotten from there, I would not have such a thriving business.
It’s a great way to get established in the industry and get some great paying clients. And the fees aren’t over the top. I personally have never used elance, but I have known a few VA’s who have received work from the site.
You aren’t going to get any clients if you don’t have any experience. And you aren’t going to have an experience if you can’t land a client. You know what I am saying?
A word to the wise: These are bidding sites, so be careful with the rates that you charge. That’s not saying that you can’t make $20 or even $30 + an hour with clients from these sites (because I have and do). But realize that there is higher competition out there and most people who post projects on here are going to want to pay between $8-$15 dollars an hour.
I have been on both sides of the picture posting jobs and bidding on gigs, so I have a pretty good understanding of going rates and how the process works.
3)
Craigslist
I absolutely love Craigslist. If I could kiss Craig, I would, LOL Not only can you find clients, but you can promote your services as well. So you are probably asking, just how do I do that?
Simple, you post ads under the “services” and “small business ads” section talking about who you are, the services you offer, and your contact info.
Note: Make yourself stand out. You need to look and act like a professional at all times. What usually works for me is something similar to a cover letter stating who I am, why I am in the industry, my skill set, and my contact info.
Don’t post only 1 to 2 sentences saying something like “I am a stay at home mom that wants VA clients, please contact me blah blah blah. Clients and business won’t hire you or contract your services. They want to know you are a professional, you know what you are doing, and that you mean business.
I will give you a few secrets that I use when looking for clients, search in gigs, ecetera, computer jobs, admin jobs, ect. Use terms like work at home, virtual assisting, contract work, ect. You will get really good at coming up with search terms and spotting scams.
4)
CrazedList.org
Crazedlist.org is an awesome resource when searching Craigslist. You can search all the cities in the US on the same terms. Like I stated above, be creative when using search terms and learn how to spot a scam. If there is very little detail given in the ad, it’s probably a scam. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Remember, nothing ever comes easy. Sometimes it takes a whole lot of effort to get where you want to be and that includes tears, frustration, and sometimes the desire to give up. But if you continue on your path, and keep your eye on the prize, you will eventually get to where you want to be...Even if you have to get scratched and bruised along the way.
Article written by: Stacey Wockenfuss
Article Source:http://www.wahm-articles.com
About the Author:
Stacey Wockenfuss is a professional virtual assistant who specializes in the advancement of internet marketers and online businesses. She can be reached at stacey@TheSuccessfulInternetMarketer.com or by visiting her website at
www.freelanceclericalservices.com or www.thesuccessfulinternetmarketer.com
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