Making Quick Money as a New Virtual Assistant
While we don’t encourage focusing on making “quick money” when you start your Virtual Assistant career, we do understand that it’s a necessity for some people to start making money asap.
The best way to do this is to get out there and focus all of your effort into landing clients, even if it’s temporary work…
But let’s break down 3 ways you can intentionally hunt down work as a new Virtual Assistant.
1- Sites like Fiverr and Upwork
These sites are, for the most part, freelance havens where clients go to find support with one-off tasks and projects. You most likely aren’t finding a forever client here. You might find an ongoing client but in the sense that you provide one specific service for them each month (like posting blogs, creating social images, transcribing a podcast, etc.)
These are great ways to make quick money when starting out because the turn-around is faster. When networking with potential clients, you are building trust and relationships. It’s not going to be overnight that you meet a potential client, and they sign on as a client (although, we have seen this happen, so it’s not impossible).
The difference in these situations is that clients go to sites like Fiverr and Upwork looking for someone to complete a task they already have in mind. Sometimes, when you land a client you’ve been networking with, it still takes a bit to get into a groove with them. They might have an idea of what they need support with but actually delegating is a different story. And they go to the places where you are networking with them looking to…network. They don’t usually go to those places looking for a VA right away.
However, a client that posts a gig for transcribing a 90min meeting chooses your bid, they pay for that gig, you turn that task around in 24hrs and the whole interaction is done.
The key to landing these gigs when there are hundreds/thousands of other freelancers is to make sure your profile is polished and professional. Get family/friends/old coworkers to leave reviews on your profile!
2- Network Locally
Networking online is efficient because you can network with so many people in different places at once. However, the time it takes to build trust can sometimes be longer than it would be if you were networking in person. So if you don’t want to go the Fiverr route, take some time to network with local businesses. Start off by just introducing yourself and making a connection. Follow them on social. If it’s a physical goods business, make a purchase and share a picture in your stories (tagging them), show them support and engage authentically with them. Get the conversation started and offer ways to help them. Don’t leave it to them to imagine how you can support them. Find ways you can specifically serve them.
Do they post on social consistently?
When you visit the business, is their phone ringing off the hook?
Do you notice that they don’t have a personal life?
See if you can fill gaps in their day-to-day!
3- Join referral programs!
There are ways to get creative with this! For example, we have a referral program for our students, where they can earn up to $99 when they refer a future student. If you join a coaching program, check if there is a referral program. If you are referring someone more business, make an effort to check if there is a way you can be compensated for sending them business!
The most important thing though is to focus on finding the work that works for you. If you find these opportunities quickly, great. If not, don’t get discouraged because it just means you haven’t found your fit yet!
Stay consistent and you will get the results you are looking for! The worst thing you can do is go after these things with a desperate mindset so keep in mind what would be a good fit for you and the rest will come.