As a newbiz (not really new but young) in this business, how do one get jobs? when we have to bid with the expert in this feild.
emmer

First of all If you haven't decided on the types of services you want to offer that might be what you would want to do. Then from there decide the type of clients you want to work for. Once you know who you want to work for and how tell everyone you know, send out mailings to the prospects that you feel you would want to work for introducing yourself and your service, or see if you can partner with another VA for subcontracting work. If you're working with the freelance sites, competition is going to be stiff there and most businesses are looking for the lowest bidder which may or may not be what you want. There was a post on one that we discussed on here offering $3 per hour for an admin job. So don't only look to those sources if you want to be paid what your worth. Patience is key to this as well as confidence as I'm starting to learn. I'm new too. Try not to worry too much about how much experience the others may have over you. Take a good look at yourself and your skills and see what makes you different. Develop whatever skills you feel you are lacking and go from there. Planning, patience and persistence are the keys. And the ladies on here are EXTREMELY helpful. So search and read through the boards as much as possible and ask questions. Hope that helps. Good luck and welcome again!!

Welcome to the forum! You have been given good advice in the above posting.

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Julia

I agree with Rhonda - rather than focus on trying to achieve work through 'bidding' sites I'd recommend investing some time and energy in establishing a true business - this means (at the very least )coming up with a list of services, giving some thought to who you'd like to market to (who would best utilize the services you are able to offer), and of course deciding how much your rate(s) will be, what your business policies are, etc.

I know it sounds like a lot of work - and it is - but it's worth it. Being a VA is a business, not just a 'side job', and if you treat it as such it's more likely you'll find a greater level of success.

Relying on bidding sites alone for work is neither a long term possible scenario for viable income, nor much fun when you consider the $3 an hour Rhonda mentioned. Applying yourself as a business owner makes all the difference!

Good luck!

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Hi Emmer
Absoultely in right company you are.
I feel however we as newbies should give tests (which are available on sites like odesk), for confirmation that we can give certain services without any hassles. I am also trying for best possible free resources as paid sites may not be our cup of tea in the beginning.
I hope seniors will also agree with me.

Regards
Vinita

Originally Posted by emmerblog

As a newbiz (not really new but young) in this business, how do one get jobs? when we have to bid with the expert in this feild. emmer

Hi Emmer,
When I hear the word "job", I immediately think of employee. I agree with the others that it's important not to soley depend on any one means for a source of work. While, bidding my land you clients here and there, many other opportunities exist to reach your potential clients.

First, be sure to have a target market in mind, that will make it that much easier to find to target. Network at your local business events, join social or business organizations, especially those that pertain to your target market, tell all of your family and friends what you do and see if they know of anyone that they can refer you to, past employers are another great source of referrals, targeted mailing are another way to get your name out there (just be sure you have time to follow up!). I don't normally advise you throw all of your marketing dollars in one basket. Experimentation with appropriate follow through will net the results that you seek!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

You all have my head swimming and brimming with all kinds of thoughts the more I read the various threads the more it swims. I was once thinking that too and wondering the same thing but it is all much bigger than just "a job." I know for a fact that if you persevere, no matter what it is it will come.

Being a new virtual assistant and not knowing what services to offer - start offering your services locally. Maybe join you Chamber and offer to speak about your new business. Make sure to take your marketing pieces to hand out.

Another thing to consider is join as many VA organizations you can and reply to RFPs.

Offer to work as a sub for established VAs to get your feet wet and to determine what you do or don't enjoy doing.

Network with other VAs and let them know what services you offer. This network could send work your way.

Good luck and congratulations!

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Kim Hughes
www.KimHughes.com

I am new at this too, and what I am about to suggest .... I am just in the process of doing, so I am not sure what will come of it yet.

That said, I am going to be mailing out my brochure and a letter to some local non-profits this coming week. I plan to volunteer some time to provide general data entry and corespondence for them. I may not get a paying client immediately from it, but at least I can hopefully do some networking and get references that I can provide future clients.

I love the idea of being a sub for a veteran VA!!! I hope that some of the veterans use this site to post RFPs or notices that they are on the look out!!

Marcia
VA in Development

You need to start looking in the right places so that others can see you or find you.

Networking is key in running a business - any type of business. And that's not just hanging around forums like this one online but hanging around forums with prospective clients - both online and offline. Veteran VAs can only hand out so much work - they can't support every new VA that comes along, sorry. And you'll find that many of them have already built a network of newer VAs around them. Sorry, don't want to make you feel that you've missed the boat - you haven't, but you need to be thinking like business people.

Hanging around your peers is great for learning from but not for finding clients. There is a section here where jobs are posted but you would do well joining a couple of other VA networks as well that provide client leads - you need to spread yourselves around and not depend on just one place for possible work.

Also, you'll find on this forum a discussion about LinkedIn - this is the perfect hunting ground for clients so go and mix and mingle. People need to know you exist for them to ask you to do work for them. LinkedIn has around 14 million professionals as members - do you think you might find one or two clients there? Same with other places such as MySpace, FaceBook, Spock and heaps of other places. But spend time getting to know people first - and let them get to know you. Relationship building is so important.

Locate local business networks near where you live. When I first started the internet wasn't an option, i.e. I started my business before the internet entered the business scene. My clients came from personal contacts, word-of-mouth referrals, my printed newsletter, my business card being passed on and so on.

If you don't yet know who your target client is then seek out networking groups that have lots of different businesses in them, such as Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, BNI and so on. But if you do know your target audience, then seek out their networking events, such as industry based association events.

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Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

Originally Posted by nottsf

I am new at this too, and what I am about to suggest .... I am just in the process of doing, so I am not sure what will come of it yet. That said, I am going to be mailing out my brochure and a letter to some local non-profits this coming week. I plan to volunteer some time to provide general data entry and corespondence for them. I may not get a paying client immediately from it, but at least I can hopefully do some networking and get references that I can provide future clients.

You are thinking right. Volunteering is a great way to let people know you exist and what you are capable of. And providing support to not-for-profits is a great niche are to work in. It's known as 'Association Management' and I did this for 10 years in my business - all because someone contacted me back in 1997 to find out if I knew someone who could... when I looked at the list of things they needed doing I knew I could do them and took on the role. That was the start of a new role for me and one I loved. I looked after 4 different NFPs during the following 10 years.

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Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

I think Kathie gave great advice. I haven't started full on networking yet, but just from reading this forum, I am seeing how it would be of great value. Not just for jobs either but for have contact and support from your business area.

Originally Posted by pdxblueskie

I think Kathie gave great advice. I haven't started full on networking yet, but just from reading this forum, I am seeing how it would be of great value. Not just for jobs either but for have contact and support from your business area.

You know the interesting thing about networking is that it is 2-sided. That means as well as finding clients for your own business you actually find resources for your own business as well. Others who are also seeking clients (you) can provide (you) services and resources for your business.

So, through networking I have built up a reliable resource of printers, stationery supplies, insurance brokers, a travel organiser, computer support, and so many other things. All of these suppliers equally have business needs too so some of those I've been able to provide support to, but moreso, they've had clients who need what I can supply so it widens the circle for networking and finding clients.

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Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

There is some awesome advice here! Thank you, Kathie, for providing some excellent steps to take when networking for your business.

I belong to our local Chamber of Commerce, as well as to BNI, which is a great referral networking organization. As a matter of fact, I joined BNI under a different profession, but several in the group knew I had been an Executive Assistant for 20 years, and asked me to do some admin work for them. I did, they were thrilled, hence, my new business! Now, the President of our chapter is my first client - through his business, not BNI. It really does work!

Diane