Craigs List - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008

I'm not sure I'm starting this thread in the right location or not, but I was wondering if anyone has ever marketed themselves on craigs list. If so, what are the pros and cons?

There was 2 ways I was looking at it. Searching for employers looking for PT help and sending a response asking them if they ever thought a VA could help them?

The other was actually posting a classified ad in craigslist.

Please advise.

#2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008

I've done both, placed an ad and replied to ads. Neither really did anything for me.

#3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008

I placed a classified ad on craigslist and have hads two inquires already.

#4 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008

When I was first starting out I responded to an ad for a VA on Craigslist and contracted my first client - she's still with us today

#5 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008

Maria & Tess,

Both great news. Thank you. I posted my classified online. It might be all in the wording, but I hope people don't look at the ad with skepticism. I said they are free to review my website and contact me directly.

I'll keep you posted.

Rebecka,
You should try again. It doesn't hurt and it's free.

#6 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009

craigs List seems to be a mixed bag, it opens the door to many self-promoters, but it has brought a few leads. just be careful who is responding to you and why.

#7 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009

I agree that Craigslist can be a good tool to use. Although sometimes there are scammers so you have to be careful.

#8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009

Danielle is right on it.

I got one client whom I did some work for last year and many leads from Craigslist so it can be a valuable tool. However, I've also responded to ads and was left with nothing but SPAM in my inbox. Usually the ads that are too good to be true are...

Lori

#9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009

Question: Do you keep your contact information anonymous or do you include your phone, email and/or website? And, any concerns with too much spam?

#10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009

I include a link to my website and a link to one of my online profiles. I don't like my email on there. If they want to contact me they can do so through my contact form on website or through the anon. email link on my CL ad.

I post an ad in the small biz services section but I have not responded to any ad on CL for work.

#11 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009

I've done it both ways and neither one seemed productive. I got a lot of spam and self-promotions that were really bad. You have to be careful and really watch what you respond to and how you respond.

#12 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

I've advertised my services on Craigslist but haven't got a positive response yet. You do need to be careful about being spammed! I signed up with "Get a Freelancer" and the amount of dodgy sounding jobs there wanting people to email literally thousands of people on Craigslist for less than a $1.00 per hour is quite scary!

Avocet

#13 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

Originally Posted by Avocet

I've advertised my services on Craigslist but haven't got a positive response yet. You do need to be careful about being spammed! I signed up with "Get a Freelancer" and the amount of dodgy sounding jobs there wanting people to email literally thousands of people on Craigslist for less than a $1.00 per hour is quite scary!

Avocet

I went through the same thing and it finally caused me to pull my ad as I was truly tired of the garbage I got. In the end I decided it wasn't worth it.

#14 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009

I know someone that does quite well with craigslist. She primarily does accounting services. She suggested i post there too but, i just haven't yet. After reading the posts here it does not sound too productive for VA services. Perhaps it depends on your city and how your city uses it.

#15 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009

I've only received one response from someone who posted on Craig's List. And when he did, the job was totally different from what he advertised and I ended up turning the job down because it was way too much work for too little money. But that's just my experience, and only with the job postings. When I advertised for a roommate I got tons of legit responses.