Your Guide On How to Find Clients as a Virtual Assistant and Freelancer

So, you’ve set up your virtual assistant (VA) or freelancing business with all the essentials—your brand, services, social media profiles, and maybe even a logo. Awesome! You’re off to a fantastic start.

But there’s one BIG question on your mind…

WHERE do I find clients?

Let’s talk about it! I’ve been a VA for 8 years, and I’m here to share my top strategies for finding clients. These tips don’t just work for VAs—they’re great for any freelancer or independent contractor, from social media managers to bookkeepers.

Here are the four main channels I use to find clients and network. Let’s dive in!

Freelancing Websites

First up: freelancing platforms. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are great places to start if you’re looking for your first clients. It’s easy to sign up, create a profile, and start browsing job posts from potential clients.

BUT, there’s a lot of competition out there.

Standing out is KEY! Take time to build an attractive profile. Do a little research—see what other successful VAs are including in their profiles and add your own unique spin.

The best part? When you complete jobs, you can start collecting reviews. Those reviews? They’re like GOLD for attracting future clients!

Social Media

Yes, you already scroll through social media every day. So why not use it for your business?

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are amazing for connecting with potential clients. And guess what? You don’t need a huge following to find clients. Take it from me—I was making six figures with fewer than a thousand Instagram followers.

Here’s the trick: use social media to NETWORK. Instead of focusing on follower count, create a profile that highlights your skills and experience. Engage with people, build connections, and show your personality. People love working with people they connect with!

Facebook Groups

Next, let’s talk about Facebook Groups. But here’s the thing—you’re not joining VA groups full of other virtual assistants. You’re joining groups where your IDEAL clients hang out.

Think about it… Who’s your ideal client? What industry are they in? What types of groups would they join?

For example, if you want to work with health and wellness coaches, join groups for wellness entrepreneurs. Research where your ideal clients are hanging out, join those groups, and start building relationships!

In-Person Networking and Word of Mouth

Your business is NOT a secret, so tell people about it! This is often the most underrated strategy, but it’s incredibly powerful.

Start by telling family, friends, and colleagues. Go to local networking events, bring business cards, and talk about your business. Don’t forget to include your name, title, website, and social media handles on your card so people can reach out after meeting you.

Trust me—word of mouth is powerful! You never know who might tell someone else about your services, which can lead to new clients.

One more thing...

Finding clients as a VA or freelancer can feel like a big challenge, especially when you’re just starting out. But don’t get discouraged! I’ve used these four strategies over the years, and they’ve helped me find clients time and again.

Try each method and see what works best for you. Trust the process—you’ve got this!

If you want to become a virtual assistant

If you have been thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant, there truly hasn’t been a better time to start! More businesses than ever are turning to freelancers and virtual assistants today.

You can turn the skills you already have into a service-based business, work from the comfort of your own home, work with clients you genuinely enjoy working with, and have more freedom than a regular 9-5 job. 

As someone who’s been in the game for 8 years, I can tell you - it’s a pretty fun gig!

If you want to learn how to become a virtual assistant, you CANNOT miss this free training I created for you. I deep dive into the world of freelancing, tell you how I started my virtual assistant business, and give you the absolute BEST tips for getting started and finding clients.

Want me as your coach? Join my online course, Virtual Freelancer Academy, where I teach you EVERYTHING you need to know and give you all the tools you need to succeed as a VA (just like I've done for hundreds of students just like you).

Have more questions? Message me here!