New Virtual Assistant in Kent!

A bit of advice please:

After 27 years working my way to the top of the PA/EA ladder in London, I have just set up Wealden Virtual Assistants (based in Kent).

I have everything set up now and just need clients.  I was wondering what your opinions were please on attracting clients?

Could I have answers from VAs and others please? It's obviously new for me as, when you work in an office, you are 'given' somebody to work for!

Many thanks all!

Karen Hamer

0843 289 9870 / 07572 850811

www.wealdenvirtualassistants.co.uk

Welcome Karen

Best way of attracting clients is by Networking, and meeting people.

Hello Karen

Well done for taking the plunge, I gave up full time employment last September to start my VA business and its a rough ride but im sure it will all be worth it.

HI Karen

• If your just starting out then friends, family, their recommendations, old employers etc are a great first start and you can then have some client recommendations.
• There are a number of websites that you can offer your services through - they will take a cut but ensure you get paid and it means you can see where the demand is and what the competition is like (I found a previous VA I used through one of these)
• Take a look at agencies and ask them - may be your offering them another alternative to placing PA's with the VA twist
• Get yourself on the internet - make sure that people are searching for your services and that you come up for those searches

Hope these are of some help

Alan

Hi Karen

Congrats on taking the plunge! It's a big move but worth it! If you haven't already found them, I would recommend taking a look at the Society of Virtual Assistants. You can join for free, or pay a small fee to be a full member and they hold a register of VAs which is promoted regularly. There are certain criteria you have to meet to get registered, but then you can display the SVA logo on your website & marketing materials which I think always gives confidence to prospective clients.

Also, networking is really important, get your self down to a 4N meeting if you haven't already! Although we work virtually, I find a lot of people still like to meet a 'real' person before they start working with you and networking is also just a great way to meet other people in business.

Perhaps also consider taking on some work as an associate VA? A lot of VA's use other VAs for passing on overflow work or holiday cover. Again, take a look at the SVA forum where you might find some people advertising associate work.

Good luck and hope it all goes well for you!

Steph

Hi Karen,

I'm also a VA and have had my own business since the first half of last year.  Getting clients doesn't come overnight and I'd suggest you do all you can initially to get yourself up and running! 

I have met my clients through various sources, some through 4N, some through linked in and some through referrals.  Getting along to a Breakfast meeting is the best way to meet people face to face and get to know them and their business better.  I ran a special offer for part of last year to get people interested - it did work and I would run the same offer again quite happily.

If you have worked in any specialist fields previously and have lots of specialist experience, contact smaller Companies of the same nature, they may well have a 'need' for you.

Good luck with your business - hope to talk to you again!

Jessie

Thank you so much everybody for your kind comments and offer of advice!  I will keep plugging away and I WILL get there!

Very best wishes

Karen. x

Hi Karen

You are probably all 'adviced out' by the looks of things!  Do you have a 'niche' that you can plug into that will made you different from other VA's?  Accountants and biz bank managers can be great contacts as some are happy to recommend VA services.  If you would like a chat or just someone to whine with, give me a call and good luck!

Wendy