[Question] Any advice on becoming a Legal/Paralegal VA?

[tracymw]

I've recently been laid off from my job as I mentioned in another post. The law firm which I was working for, down sized and many of the partners retired, therefore office staff was laid off. With the economy the way it is today, I've had absolutely no luck finding a job.

I have been constantly researching online about Virtual Assistant jobs. I've been to Guru, odesk, monster jobs, etc. No luck!

I guess, my question is.... How did you all get started as Virtual Assistants? Are there specific places to research and find these type of jobs?

Thanks so much in advance for your help.

[Office Goddess]

Marketing and networking are the keys to getting clients. Have you decided what services you want to provide? Once you have done that, the next step is to determine WHO you want have as clients (target market). Then start sending out marketing materials, going to local networking meetings (try meetup.com for groups in your area), joining your target market's forums and posting answers to questions (this portrays you as an expert in your field)...

My clients have been primarily word-of-mouth but I have gotten a few through postcard mailings.

[tracymw]

Thank you so much for your reply.
I would like to provide attorneys online with services such as typing, dictation, research, etc.

I have not created a website yet. I have been researching and trying to figure it all out. I got this idea from working with an attorney online. It was by word of mouth. His services require typing Pleadings and such and emailing them back to him. It does not keep me busy, so I got the idea to try to get more of this type of work.

[Office Goddess]

I narrowed my niche down to attorneys, as well, because I have 5 years of experience running small law offices, managing their bookkeeping, transcribing hearings/meetings, typing pleadings, etc. (In other words, doing everything that isn't legal ) Attorneys are already used to outsourcing quite a bit of their work so it seemed like a natural fit for me. I focus on 1-person attorney offices.

[shadowcat]

I worked as a legal secretary for 32 years but had to give it up to look after my mother. When I went back to work I could only get temp jobs. I now also have no chance of getting a full time permanent job. When I set up my marketing strategy I will concentrate on lawyers first and send all the ones I can find a set of my marketing materials and hope for the best.

Sandra

[tracymw]

I wish you all the luck in the world Shadow.

[Paula M]

Does your city/town or county have a bar association? Attend a bar luncheon, join legal and paralegal associations online and IRL.

Keep in contact with attorneys that you have dealt with in the past and let them know that you're available virtually.

[katekindred]

Tracy, that's great that you have a lawyer you are already offering VA services for, that will make a great reference. And, this lawyer's practice may grow and maybe keep you busier. Have you asked the lawyer if he can think of anyone else that might be interested in your services? I suggest getting your website up ASAP even if you go the free/template route. That way, when attorneys are looking for services, you have a chance to be found. If you are still using Craigslist, be sure to keep posting your ad as often as they allow. I registered with guru, elance, etc. but haven't found anything I am interested in bidding on. Lawyers are finding me online, weekly, and I am not doing anything special, just have a web site and post on free classified sites like craigs and others.