Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

AngelicaP33 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2011

Hi all,

I have a question...I am currently working a full-time job until I get some stable potential clients to work at home and today I seen a ad in the local paper for specifically what I offer. I was wondering how or even if I should respond to this ad...? It reads: "FT experienced accounting assistant. Requires Word, Excel, & attention to detail. Excellent benefits, (which they won't need to offer) Email resume w/ cover letter & references".

Should I first e-mail and ask them if they are interested in hiring a Virtual Assistant? or if they have even heard of one? I am not sure how to go about it or if I should even respond at all to the ad...? Is responding to a newspaper ad something a virtual assistant should do?

Any advice will be helpful....thanks!

Your Virtual Wizard · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2011

Angelica,

I wrote a letter from an ad I saw for a full-time employee and received a long term client out of this.

I was able to turn an ad for a social media assistant into a social media VA position.

I spent a lot of time on a letter that I carefully created to meet their needs.

I began by explaining that although they advertised for a full-time assistant, I could do the job in less time. I explained what a virtual assistant is and that I was not an employee. I explained briefly that I would not require benefits, breaks, special equipment, vacation time, etc.

I explained what I could do for them and how my knowledge in this business would benefit their goals.

I used keywords that were specific to the ad and included those words in my letter.

I included links to my sites and proof that I knew what I was doing. I had some blog posts which I provided as links to show that I could write.

I also contacted a few clients and asked if I could their name in my letter. I don't offer references but I did tag some of my testimonials in my letter that the company could read.

I proofed this letter over and over...I'm an edit freak. It actually took me a few days to write this letter because if I step away from it for some time, I look at it differently and can often add information I might not have thought of previously.

Let me warn you about something I learned.

Although I was able to turn this employee-wanted job into a VA position, it has not been an easy road working with this firm. They will often refer to me as an employee and it takes time and energy to re-explain everything. They also try to tell me what to do when in fact, I am the one with the expertise. They contracted (not hired0 with me for my expertise. In other words the problem is that many employee-wanted ads are written by people who cannot grasp the VA concept.

I much prefer to respond to RFPs by companies who understand the VA and how the industry works.

Good Luck!

Janine

ClockwiseVA · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2011

Angelica, this is a great question - thanks for asking. I've been wondering the same myself.

Janine, as usual, you have provided an incredibly helpful response. Good to know the pitfalls of working with some clients who are unaccustomed to VA services.

Leazell · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2011

Great Insight Janine! I appreciate reading your comments on this.

Whits Admin · #5 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011

Thank you, Janine.

I can see how it can be a struggle at times getting them to understand you are NOT their employee.

Williams · #6 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011

Thanks, Janine for the information.

I had answered a full-time position a month or so ago and did not receive an answer. I was NOT as thorough as you were in your response. Your answer is very helpful!

Your Virtual Wizard · #7 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011

A few more tips if you should try to convert a help wanted employee position to a VA position:

Research the company thoroughly before writing the letter. The nice thing about writing to a brick and mortar company is that there is typically more info online...check social media sites, websites, press releases, Google the name, the president's name and the competition. Check YouTube for videos.

I do this so I am aware of their needs and the goals they want to accomplish. I also include in the letter a reference to something that I might have read or seen. So I might state that I enjoyed a video they offered on their website or I might congratulate them on a new launch or if they relocated to a new building. This shows that I am interested in their company enough to take the time to get to know them.

Most people won't be thorough so if you are detailed and customize the letter, it already puts you ahead of the rest.

Never tell them what they can do better in the initial letter. "I saw your website and noticed that you do not offer a call to action." is a not a good thing to state. Rather, "I spent some time perusing your site and would suggest that adding a Facebook widget to your page would help bring in more contacts to your site." In other words don't criticize and say what is wrong and what you can do to make that better. Save that information for the client consultation call.

Finally, if you do not hear back, follow-up in 7 days. Forward your previous correspondence and attachments (if you have any) and ask if there is more information they may need. Explain that you are enthusiastic about the opportunity to speak with them.

If they take the time to tell you that someone has been selected, ask them to keep you in mind for future opportunities. Request permission to place their name and email in your newsletter list! This way if the individual they selected does not work out, your name is still on their radar.

Set up Google Alerts and notifications in Career Builder for your niche industry and the services you offer. As the ads come into your Inbox, read them and determine if this is a job that can be converted to a VA position. If the job is specific to being 'onsite' only, look carefully at the job requirements. Often employers think that the receptionist can handle an entire social media strategy plan or they think the appointment setter can also handle the email marketing. So don't be afraid to jump in and say that in XX hours you can do this work online and let the receptionist handle the calls or the appointment setter do the appointments. Explain why working with a VA means they can concentrate on what they do best.

Don't give up. Move to the next ad you see. Aim to send out 2 or 3 per week and keep the flow going.

Janine