How to Find Your First Virtual Assistant Clients (Starting With People You Already Know!)
I know that feeling… you’ve got everything ready to start working as a Virtual Assistant. Everything, that is, except the biggest hurdle yet… how to find virtual assistant clients.
Trust me, I’ve been there – and today, I’m going to share something that might surprise you: your first client is probably already in your network!
Why Your Network is Pure Gold (Even If You Don’t Realize It Yet)
Let me tell you a quick story. When I first started my VA journey, I was convinced I needed to find complete strangers to work with. I spent hours scrolling through job boards and honestly, getting nowhere fast.
Then, I watched a seminar where a VA mentioned something that seemed too easy to be true.
She said to let your friends and family know you were working as a VA.
I didn’t really think it would work but I’m telling you – it did!
You’re asking yourself how to find virtual assistant clients.
Look at the people you already know, like, and trust.
They are your fastest path to paying clients.
Let’s talk about exactly how to tap into this golden network of yours!
Start With Your Inner Circle (Yes, Really!)
First things first, let’s create your “warm list.” Grab your favorite notebook and write down:
- Current and former coworkers (especially those who’ve moved to new companies)
- Friends who own businesses or work in management positions
- Family members who are entrepreneurs or professionals
- People you’ve collaborated with on previous projects
- LinkedIn connections you’ve actually talked to
- Parents from your kids’ school who run businesses
- Members of any professional or community groups you belong to
Remember: you’re not asking these people to hire you (although they might!). You’re letting them know about your new business and asking if they know anyone who might need your services.
The second thing I did was create a flyer/email and I simply told these people what I was doing and how I could help a potential client.
I listed some of the big items (more general – less detail) that I could help with and asked them to pass this flyer and/or email to someone they thought could use my help.
And guess what? They did!
That’s where my first client came from.
They came through a friend of a friend and needed a little help each week with calendar management.
It really was just that simple.
Turn Past Work Relationships into Gold
Your former workplace is a treasure trove of potential clients and referrals. Here’s how to approach this professionally:
- Make a list of managers and colleagues you had good relationships with
- Craft a personalized LinkedIn message or email updating them on your new venture
- Highlight specific ways you helped the company when you worked there
- Ask if they know anyone who might need similar support
Potential Bonus: Those busy managers who always appreciated your work? They might need your help in their current role!
And, if you need to learn a few new skills to help these busy managers, you can get some training for free. Check out my blog on free pieces of training here.
How to Find Virtual Assistant Clients Online (The Platforms That Actually Work)
While your network is golden, you’ll also want to establish a presence on these highly-rated platforms:
- Upwork (very crowded platform but still worth checking into)
- Best for: Finding high-quality, long-term clients
- Pro tip: Create a niche-specific profile and set your rates higher than average
- Success strategy: Apply to jobs within 24 hours of posting
- Best for: Professional B2B connections
- Pro tip: Turn on “Creator Mode” and post valuable content 2-3 times per week
- Success strategy: Engage with potential clients’ posts before pitching
- Facebook Groups
- Best for: Finding clients who need ongoing support
- Top group: Female Digital Nomads
- Pro tip: Provide valuable answers to questions before promoting your services
Your Action Plan for the Next 7 Days
- Day 1: Create your warm list (aim for at least 30 names)
- Day 2: Send messages to your top 5 connections
- Day 3: Set up your profiles on the two platforms mentioned above
- Day 4: Reach out to three former colleagues
- Day 5: Join three relevant Facebook groups
The Secret Sauce: Follow-Up
Here’s something most new VAs miss when they’re trying to figure out how to find virtual assistant clients: the magic is in the follow-up. Create a simple spreadsheet to track:
- Who you’ve reached out to
- When you last contacted them
- Any specific opportunities they mentioned
- When to check in again
Set reminders to follow up every 6-8 weeks with a friendly update on your business and a specific question about their current projects.
It’s Ok to Start Small
Here’s what I want you to know: you don’t need to have everything figured out to start reaching out to people.
Start with one coffee chat, one LinkedIn connection, one Facebook group. Each small step builds momentum.
Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and your somewhere is right here, right now.
Your first client is closer than you think – they’re probably just a coffee chat away!
Ready to take action?
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