I am just starting out as a VA (haven't even got my website up yet). I have been looking at a lot of VA websites and freelance websites, and almost all of them want money. This is one of the few sites I've found that is actually free, and still you have to be pretty active before you can use it to find clients.
Most of the sites seem to charge both a monthly fee and a percentage of the pay for the job. I wouldn't mind the latter so much starting up, but I am reluctant to pay a monthly fee when it seems likely I'll get nothing in return for my money.
Is it worth money to list yourself on sites? Are there any particular sites that helped you get your first clients? Are there free sites you recommend for finding clients?
And in a slightly unrelated note, is it worthwhile to join the IVAA or other VA organizations?

Hi Layah,
While you do need to be an active member here on the boards to access RFPs there are so many other ways clients are contracting with VAs via this community - some even just by landing on posts they like and following to the VAs website to get in touch.

I'd say, rather than spending your money on leads, invest your weekly allotment of marketing hours on establishing your presence online and in your local business community. In the end, it'll pay off bigger and better.

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Layah,

The only organization that I pay to be a member is IVAA.org and you get more than just a listing in the directory, it's a network of VA's, and they offer special pricing for VA's just starting out and even mentorships with experienced VA's.

Don't pay other places when you can sign up with great forums like this one, and places like O'Desk - that are free.

Develop your own website, submit to search engines (do it for free), and hand out business cards to anyone who will listen.

There are other VA's out there that outsource to others, I am one of them.

I would suggest if you are going to pay for anything, pay for valuable training that will assist you in building your business and your skills based on the niche market you want to fill, if you have a niche. ;-0

Get on Twitter, Facebook and get your name out there!

Oh, from my personal experience, like I said I only pay my yearly membership to IVAA and the rest of my marketing online is free. I do not pay for google ads, or anything else. I am highly ranked in Google, so work at your keywords and content on your website. Focus time on that and keep your money to spend on your business in other areas like a toll free number, and office supplies!

Good Luck!

Nancy

Hi Layah,

I have to agree with Tess. I do not pay to be a part of anything just to get my name on their list. I am apart of the NAVBA association but not to be on their list or to apply for RFP's, they don't have RFP's lol.

I like the VAF because the people here are here for one reason and that is to learn from one another, teach one another, collaborate, brain storm and general conversation. It is a more enjoyable group to be apart of.

When you are just starting out it is better to save your money for the important things for your business.

Also, there are so many free advertising places online now. Start there and work your way through all of them to get your name out there.

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Yep - I believe the general consusus holds - don't pay for anything you don't have to... I hold memberships here, with Colorado VAs, the Intuit QuickBooks networking group, a Yahoo VA networking group, StartUp Nation, and several other bookkeeping and legal forums as those audiences are my primary focus. And, i don't pay for any of those memberships.

The only memberships I DO pay for are the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), and The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). I don't get RFPs through either of those groups - they are professional associations that help me keep up on my specific skills and industry knowledge.

I have put my name on every free advertising site that is out there. However, all but one of my clients have come from either referrals, word-of-mouth, or mailings. Only one short-term project came from an advertising website.

I recommend you build your website, print your business cards, and network, network, network! (A postcard mailing might not hurt, either ).

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I have been in business for about 3 weeks now and have not spent money on any memberships. I have paid a small fee to attend a seminar locally on starting a small business. I also plan on joining IVAA and my local Chamber of Commerce.

I have also joined several networking groups in my area that appear to be very active and require no more than $5 a month. I do plan on attending upcoming seminars & enrolling in classes that will help my business.

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Tamera Nelson

Tamera,

That sounds like a great start! There are so many useful websites out there that help with business start ups. When I first started out as a VA, way back in they day when there was only a handful of us - I had to 'wing' alot of it as I went along!

I also recommend spending money on some good VA Start Up books, just go thru the book reviews section here at the forums to get started!

Nancy

Thanks Nancy. I actually had already checked out the forum on book referrals. I ordered The 2-Second Commute from Amazon.com and should be receiving it today.

I added the following books to my wish list to purchase later: Virtual Assistant, The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and The Virtual Assistant's Guide to Marketing. I'm not sure if these were listed under the Book Review Forum but they had high customer ratings on Amazon.

I have learned so much from posts on this site. VAF has definitely boosted my level of confidence.

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Tamera Nelson

VA The Series is great, Kelly and Diana have alot to offer with their combined years of experience. I have known them both for many years, I have worked with Diana and have become good friends with her. I also recommend the book by Cindy Greenway "Virtually Successful" - even though I have been in business a while, I will always look for new VA Books with new information and new approaches to our business!

Nancy

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am really impressed by everyone's attitudes here. I came across this forum when I was first finding out what a VA is, and I was pleased to see how helpful and cooperative everyone is to others who are technically competing with them. I really like the attitude on this forum.
I've read a lot in this thread and others that lots of people get most of their jobs through networking and referrals. So who responds to the RFPs? Are there people making a living through websites that require you to pay (other than the website owners of course)?