🚨 This is a long post, but it's full of useful information! Forget what you think you know about networking. When you flip the script and think of networking as giving rather than receiving, doors open. This morning I spoke with another freelancer (let's call her A) who shared how a 20-minute call landed her a new client and got her name in front of a group of CEOs. Here's what A did: 1️⃣ She came across a women's entrepreneur group for high-net-worth (HNW) members on Instagram and thought it looked interesting. 2️⃣ She reached out to the founder and asked for an exploratory call to learn more about the group. 3️⃣ She didn't qualify to join, but she told the founder she'd be happy to recommend the group to other HNW people she knows. 4️⃣ The founder was so appreciative that she passed A's information along to a VP at Microsoft and to another group of CEOs who could use her services. This "help first, ask later" approach is incredibly effective. Here's what to keep in mind when YOU try it: 1️⃣ Reach out to people and companies you admire. Every founder loves meeting people who enjoy their product or service. 2️⃣ Go in with an open mind. This is an informal coffee chat, not a pitch call. 3️⃣ Share what you do as a VA in a sentence or two, then spend most of your time asking questions about their product or service. 4️⃣ Offer help where you can. An introduction, a referral, or a genuine recommendation costs you nothing and is often remembered. 🌟 Your core takeaway: networking works best when you lead with genuine interest and something to give, not a pitch. Here's how to put that into practice 👇 - Curiosity beats a pitch. People remember the person who asked good questions and cared about their work far more than the person who explained their services. - You don't need to be a fit to add value. A didn't qualify for the group, and it didn't matter. Referrals, shout-outs, and feedback are all things a beginner can offer. - One conversation can reach many people. Founders and community leaders are connectors. Helping one of them can put you in front of their entire network.

The replay from our last call is up, and it's a good one! We got into how to run discovery calls that lead with your client's problems instead of your service list, why custom packages land better than a menu of everything you offer, and why following up 6 or 7 times isn't pushy, it's just how clients get won. @Stanley Azubuike chisom walked us through exactly how he prospects, from digging deep to find a client's pain points to making every follow-up worth opening, plus the tools he uses to make it all easier (LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Google Alerts, and email tracking). We also talked about building a portfolio when you're brand new, whether to niche down yet (short answer: not yet, try a few things first), how to break into healthcare VA work, and how to wrap up the year by looking at what's actually working so you walk into 2027 with a plan. If you missed it live, grab a notebook and give it a watch!

Sharing some of my favorite resources to aid your client search! https://hiringcafe.com/?searchState=%7B%22searchQuery%22%3A%22virtual+assistant%22%7D https://www.virtualvocations.com/jobs?search=virtual+assistant https://career.io/jobs?q=virtual+assistant https://powertofly.com/jobs/?keywords=assistant https://nexxorecruiting.com/virtual-assistant-remote/ (this listing is specifically for a VA interested in real estate) A few tips as you dive in: 🚫 Skip listings older than 7 days. By the time you find them, the client has likely already gotten a flood of applications (or filled the role). 🔍 Read the whole listing before you apply: Clients notice when you skip stated requirements (like "must mention your favorite productivity tool" or a specific subject line). It's often a built-in filter to weed out people who don't pay close attention to detail. 📝 Don't let "3 years experience" scare you off: That's often a wish list, not a hard cutoff. If you can speak to the skills they actually need, apply anyway and let your pitch make the case. 🚩 Watch for red flags: Vague scope, "quick 5 hours/week" that's clearly more, or payment structures that feel off. Trust your gut. 📊 Track what you apply to. A simple spreadsheet (listing, date applied, rate, follow-up date) keeps you from losing track and helps you spot patterns in what's landing interviews. 🌱 Job boards shouldn't be your only strategy: Treat these listings as one channel, not the whole plan. Referrals, networking in communities, and reaching out directly to businesses you'd love to work with often land BETTER-fit clients (and skip the competition entirely).

Happy Wednesday!! Congratulations, you made it halfway through the week! 🏆 As part of this week's challenge, I'd love you to finish both sentences: 1. Before I started, I thought VA work was... 2. Now I know it's actually... Funny answers are welcome. Honest ones even MORE. I'll go first: "Before I started, I thought VA work was answering emails and booking flights. Now I know it's actually running someone's business behind the scenes while they take the credit. (Lovingly. Mostly.)" Drop yours below. I want to see ALL of them. 👇

What's your current situation? Drop your letter in the comments👇 🔴 A) Still in a 9-5, plotting my escape from corporate overlords 🟡 B) Just getting started, figuring it out as I go 🟢 C) Got a client or two, ready to scale this thing ⭐ D) Full-time VA, living my best life (congrats, you made it!) No wrong answers here. This community is for ALL of us. I built my VA business from scratch 14 years ago and never looked back. Wherever you are right now, you're in the right place.