Lessons from a Digital Marketing Virtual Assistant who actually does the work:
Working as a VA or digital media assistant, you’ll quickly learn that those first contacts with potential clients are the most important of all. No matter how prepared you are as a virtual assistant, you’ve got to use basic etiquette when you first contact those new clients. So I’ve asked Natasha Stresemann, a graduate of my Virtual Assistant Crash Course, to help me list some basic tips you need to know when you’re ready to reach out to new VA clients.
Don’t contact your next potential client until you read these etiquette tips!
A huge question I’m always asked is whether or not there is really enough online work for VAs. My short answer is yes, and I shared all the full details in this blog post. But there are also a lot of people looking for online work and work from home opportunities right now. So you really have to set yourself apart and make sure that you’re showing up 100% for each potential client. And you don’t want to get deleted and ignored before you’ve even had a chance to share what you can offer.
I featured the success story of Natasha, one of my course graduates, in a recent blog post. And Natasha has also had the experience of working on the other side and trying to hire VAs. So she has some great tips to share about the etiquette you need to remember before you make that first contact with a potential new client. Remember these things that you should (and should not) do each time. And make sure you stand out for all the right reasons, and not the wrong ones.
When you first find that virtual assistant job offer on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn:
- READ all of the instructions given and follow them. If you are unsure of something, ask in a comment. Basic etiquette says that you should pay attention to what potential clients want before you contact them.
- DO NOT Direct Message (DM) them without their permission or unless they have specified. You can always ask them in a comment if it would be ok to DM them, but don’t just do it.
- If you are asked to apply in an email, treat the email like the cover letter of your resume. Mention where you saw the listing and why you are interested. Talk about the skills you have and relate them to the job posting. You can attach your resume or letters of reference if it is applicable.
Make sure you’re doing these things right:
- DO SOME RESEARCH. If you know where their website is, look them up! Check out what they are doing so you can talk about it in your cover letter and discovery call. Make that personal connection to their brand and their unique needs.
- ACT PROFESSIONAL. You are now a self employed freelance contractor. You should be taken seriously. No personal pictures, emojis, gifs, etc. It’s ok to show your personality. Just don’t overdo it.
- SEND A THANK YOU. Sending a thank you after a discovery call shows you have good follow through and that you value their time.
But definitely DON’T do these things:
- Focus on what you DON’T know. Show them what you DO know and what you know you are capable of doing.
- Tell them you haven’t worked in a long time. Instead, tell them that you are motivated and eager and highlight the experiences you’ve had that are relevant. Even if you haven’t worked in a long time, you can definitely jump right into the virtual assistant world if you take the right approach.
- Tell them you don’t know how to do something they’ve requested. Instead, tell them that it’s something you haven’t tried yet but can figure out. And then figure it out. Be confident, but make sure you follow through.
The Takeaway: Always follow basic professional etiquette when you contact potential clients.
It’s a cliché but it’s true. You only get one shot to make a first impression. And in a world where online job posts can get a lot of responses in a very short time, it’s important that you stand out. These etiquette tips will help make your first client contacts a success. Follow these guidelines and be confident with your unicorn VA skills and you’ll be ahead of the game.
Go get that next client!
-Emily, Digital Marketing Consultant and Implementer
Emily Reagan is a mom of four, board game pro, freelance digital marketer and Marketing Assistant Mentor who has helped over 450 go-getters, including military spouses, stay-at-home moms, and professional women learn in-demand skills and find flexible remote work as digital marketing assistants and specialists. She’s shared 3,000+ job leads with her freelancer community The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup.
Ask her any questions over on IG @emilyreaganpr
“I help smart women learn the in-demand digital marketing strategies and profitable tech skills to get hired as a unicorn digital marketing assistant.“
3 ways we can work together:
1. Join the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. My signature course on digital marketing implementation will give you the confidence and teach you HOW to do the work that’s in demand and highly marketable. This is the secret weapon to getting booked out. Start learning digital marketing services and building your digital service business right now.
2. Already doing marketing work and have a few clients? Want a stronger referral network? Apply for our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup—a tight-knit community of freelancers just like you. Inside, you’ll get behind-the-scenes support, advanced trainings, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, I’ve shared over 3,000 job opportunities with this group—exclusive leads you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re ready to grow your business and connect with a supportive network, join us here!
3. Looking to hire a Digital Marketing Assistant? If you want to expand your team & grow your business, submit your job opportunity here. I’ll share it with the skilled unicorn marketing assistants inside my workgroup totally free.
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