Are you ready to transition from on-site work to the world of freelancing as a Virtual Assistant? This transition may seem scary if you've only worked in physical locations for companies or clients. Just like I did, you may have no idea where to start. Fear not; I'm here to guide you through the process.
HOW AND WHERE TO START? There is this general understanding that nowadays, all companies hire remotely and that through COVID, the market has completely changed. Maybe some of that is true, but that doesn’t mean the switch to the fully freelance remote is a smooth sailing ride, not from my experience. But I will try to make it as simple as possible so you can start immediately!
HERE'S 7 TIPS TO SET YOU UP QUICKLY AS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
1. REGISTRATION You will have to register as a freelancer and deal with all the formalities that come with it. Arrange that as soon as possible so you can focus on the more exciting stuff!
It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but this is the starting point for every business. I was still holding my full-time job when I registered. Make a list of what you must do: registration, company name, bookkeeping, invoice system, etc. For Dutch freelancers click here for more info For universal freelancers click here for more info
2. IN-DEPTH SKILLS OVERVIEW
Your skills reflect who you are. Some skills come naturally; some are taught. You need to know who you are to become a successful freelancer.
Knowing who you are will help you:
🎯 Attract the Right Clients
🛠️ Create the Best Services
📌 Define Your Niche and Services
🌟 Stand Out in the Market
🤝 Convince Others to Hire You
It is time to sit down with yourself, map out what makes you ‘you,’ and list all your valuable skills. Take the time. Review everything and see where you, as a Freelancer, fit in with your skills.
3. DEFINE YOUR NICHE
Although this is not mandatory, a niche has its advantages. Look at your skills and map out which industry or client fits best. Think about the things that generate energy. Do you like sports a lot? Then maybe you should focus on the sports industry. If you’re more into travel, you can approach travel companies. Energy is everything! Maybe you like startups, or are you more into big corporations? Think about these things when you create your niche profile. I will create a more in-depth blog about this soon.
4. DEFINE YOUR SERVICES You can start looking at your services once you know your skills and niche. Think about the following things: 💵 Charge Per Hour or Flat Fee?
📝 Single Projects or Long-Term Contracts?
⏳ Short-Term or Long-Term Engagements?
🌍 International or National Clients? Time Zone Flexibility?
⏰ Working Hours: 9-5, Evenings, or Weekends?
🎯 Skills and Tasks Offered (and Not Offered!)
💰 Hourly Rate, Flat Rate, or Package Deals?
Make this very clear for yourself so you can later roll out your services on your website/ online presence. If you clearly understand your services, you will likely attract the right client in a shorter time frame.
To determine your services, always remember: “ what gives me energy?”
5. CREATE AN ONLINE PRESENCE
In today’s world, we cannot escape an online presence, especially when you are a Virtual Assistant. There are many ways to do this, but LinkedIn and creating a website worked well for me. Make sure you create consistency throughout your online presence. To get a better understanding of brand awareness click here
6. START NETWORKING Last but not least, start networking. Personally, this was a massive challenge for me as a Virtual Assistant. I love being alone behind my computer, and although I have been operating globally for decades, I don’t have an extensive professional network.
You will most likely land your first client through your network. I hear this repeatedly and have experienced it firsthand.
Create a few good pitches you can send to family, friends, old colleagues, etc. Tell everyone about your business and refer them to your website, where they will get a good overview of your skills and services. Sign up for online meetings with fellow Virtual assistants and join groups. The more you network, the better.
Bonus tip
Link your CV to your website. A lot of website traffic doesn’t look you up on LinkedIn.
7. SENT OUT OPEN APPLICATIONS
My old-time favourite is open applications. Why wait around for job offers to pop up? List your favourite companies/clients you would like to work for and send out those open applications. I will write a full, in-depth blog about this; as a former recruiter, I know the power behind open applications! So, put your fear aside and start approaching companies yourself!
Bonus tip 1 Only approach companies/clients you genuinely want to work for and have a genuine connection with. Make sure you know all the ins and outs. Mention in your application why you love their company, how it fits within who you are, and the skills you bring. Create that position for yourself within their company.
Many companies don’t know what they miss until you show them what they miss.
Click HERE for my full Blogpost "Why Open Applications Matter for Virtual Assistants and How to Ace Them"
To all you beautiful & brave souls out there; I would love for you to share your thoughts with me. How are you finding the process of setting yourself up as a Freelancer? What are your challenges? What would you like me to cover next time? Looking forward to hearing from you! Please feel free to comment on this Blog! Don't forget to book a 30-minute virtual coffee moment , so we as Virtual Assistants can share thoughts and insights!
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