Lessons from a Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant who actually does the work.
Looking for legit work-from-home job opportunities? You’re not alone! Whether you’re brand new to working online and freelancing as a virtual assistant, or you’re already building your own digital marketing business, finding clients is a huge concern.
Is there enough work? Will I be able to find clients? Am I starting too late? Is it too late for me and already too competitive?
The answer is YES.
Online marketing and business is never going away, even with AI speeding up content ideation and creation and automations, business owners still need help implementing their marketing strategies, formatting, updating and scheduling. They have leads and clients to nurture, fulfill on their promises and follow-up with. THEY NEED US. And they’re not all in a position to take on full-time, expensive employees. They need part-time contracted help. It’s not too late to start a digital services business and capitalize on the work that’s available.
Today I’m sharing my top tips for where to find legitimate virtual assistant work and where to find clients so you can start earning an income from the comfort of your own home.
I know it’s intimidating and we have a panic about work opportunities. I promise that there is plenty of work out there for virtual assistants and freelancers.
But yes – the scams are real. And it’s easy to dig out the real job leads from the scammers if you’re staying aware and worked with clients before.
So read up and pay attention, because these are my top five places where you can find legit work-from-home jobs and get hired as a virtual assistant!
*This blog may contain affiliate links for programs, tools, and courses that I recommend. If you purchase these programs, I could receive a small commission. Thank you! I only recommend vetted programs and tools I use myself! Please check out my tool & resources guide here.
Hi, I’m Emily, a freelance marketer and mentor
First of all, know that I’ve been freelancing since 2009 working with top names like Jennifer Allwood, Miss Mustard Seed, Sage Polaris and Copy Chief. I started teaching my friends how to do this same life-changing freelance work and I’ve seen firsthand what online business owners are seeking to hire, what they need help with, and the services they will pay top dollar for.
I teach my students in the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School to be well-rounded team players by learning the foundation of all online business and digital marketing… to NOT get stuck on finding the perfect niche or marketing assets. I also share my network and client leads with my students, including the members of our Digital Marketer’s Workgroup — our community of freelance marketing assistants, specialists and managers.
As you gain experience, on-the-job training, and work with a few clients, you’ll start to see tasks that you enjoy more and that are in your zone of genius. Awareness is the key that will bring you clarity. When the client brings on new independent contractors and teammates, you can pass off the tasks that you don’t enjoy, aren’t good at, and don’t want to do, essentially up-leveling and promoting yourself within the team.
How to Find Clients as a Digital Marketing Virtual Assistant
Prefer to watch the video? Here’s the info about where to find virtual assistant clients and jobs on my YouTube channel. Hit subscribe while you’re there.
How to Find Freelance Marketing Assistant Clients
1) Talk to your friends and inner circle
Everyone has a network. You really will be surprised how many people in your inner circle are small business owners or know someone who is. Maybe they own a local cake shop or clothing boutique, or have started an online Etsy store or blog.
I can guarantee that even if your friends don’t need help with a business of their own, they can probably connect you with someone else who does.
Just keep in mind that they might not even realize that they need a virtual assistant for their business yet. So don’t be afraid to reach out and share with them the benefits of hiring their first virtual assistant and what you can take off their plate just to start. It’s all about giving business owners their time back so they can concentrate on money-making and high-visibility, client-facing tasks. Even if it’s just starting at a few hours every month, prove to them that you are a worthy investment.
But don’t be spammy and gross. Don’t DM everyone you know and blow up their phone with annoying messages until they unfriend you. (Still regretting the messages I sent trying to sell Mary Kay and Rodan & Fields. Oh the shame.)
Instead, simply share what you do and the services you offer that will help them. That might include managing social media, graphic design, SEO, customer support, etc. Respect your relationship and focus on the mutual potential gain for both of you. Even in the most subtle of conversations, whenever I talk about my marketing passion, what I’m learning and what I’m doing for other clients, business owner ears perk up and ask for more information.
The Indirect Ask
“Do you know anyone who needs this kind of help ______”
Then list one or two of the top and specific services you offer. Do not be vague!
You can often get your foot in the door by starting with a single task, like starting a Facebook business page, managing a free Facebook group, linking broken social icons on a website footer, or typing in SEO meta descriptions on a website. Then, once you’ve shown your value, there are plenty of new services you can add over time!
2) Meet local business owners
It’s easier to first get hired when you can meet face-to-face or already have an in-person connection with local business owners who need marketing assistance.
You’ve gotta build that KWT (know-like-trust) factor. And when you’re brand new to the online space, it’s easier to start with more traditional person-to-person communication.
So take advantage of connections with local shops and stores where you already do business. Consider everyone from your favorite clothing boutique, a trendy spa and salon, the corner mom-and-pop diner, or even the mechanic shop where you get your oil changed. Even some dentists’ offices and private medical practices are looking for opportunities to grow their marketing outreach!
The next time you go in, mention what you do and ask if they need help with specific services that you can offer.
Attend chamber events and small business owner meet-ups. Join those local Facebook groups.
I carved out a niche in the online space because, as a military spouse, I was moving every 1-3 years. I couldn’t go all in with my community. But my first freelance clients were all local too!
I also like working with online coaches, course creators, membership site owners, influencers, and service providers because they need more sophisticated marketing funnels and are willing to pay more. They tend to understand the value of marketing better. These exact marketing services and strategies I teach inside the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School.
Often you’ll find that local businesses are overwhelmed and have random employees trying to juggle their social media, etc, while also running the face-to-face business each day.
Case in point: remember Tim the security guard from the Cowboy Museum who went viral during the Pandemic?!?
And don’t forget to look around for local businesses that you love that DON’T already have an active online, social media presence or website.
Maybe they need a website update, or help getting started with an online email and marketing campaign. You can really flex your muscles with the newer clients and take leadership.
Talk to them about what services you can offer them and what return on investment (ROI) they can anticipate with your help.
And reach out and chat whenever you’re at local events: craft fairs, family events, or chamber of commerce activities.
This is one area where the mom life helps me. I’ve taken my kids to events like car shows and started talking with people attending or working. If I casually mention what I do and throw around those magical unicorn terms like SEO and social media marketing, their ears perk up. Without even trying, I usually walk away with a pocket full of business cards and usually I’m not even looking for new clients!
3) Pay to play to be in the right rooms
I know this is cliché, but you do have to spend money to make money.
Sure, there are plenty of free resources out there. And a good unicorn virtual assistant, who is tech-savvy and can learn on their own, can find those resources. But sometimes it just isn’t enough. Take advantage of some of the online job marketing places and directories out there like Fiverr, Indeed, Upwork, Freelance.com, Hiremymom.com. reate your profile and be prepared to pay the monthly membership fee or commission. (You can always increase your rates to help cover the expenses.)
Watch out for the scammers. They’re definitely out there, and if something doesn’t set right. Ie, they aren’t willing to meet on Zoom or pay a deposit first, steer clear. Listen to your gut. But these sites can still offer good opportunities to find virtual assistant jobs, too.
✨ Don’t forget private directories like our Workgroup
While public platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are open to everyone (and often a race to the bottom on pricing), private directories like the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup offer a completely different experience.
Our internal directory is only for vetted marketing freelancers—Unicorns who specialize in strategy, implementation, and getting real client results. Clients come here looking for serious help and are ready to pay for it.
Many Workgroup members get found directly through our private directory. In fact, it’s been the source of multiple high-paying retainer clients, VIP Day bookings, and even long-term fractional roles.
And it works:
🎉 Rachel, one of our members, landed a new client within her first month—and that one project more than covered the cost of her membership. She booked 1 ongoing retainer client paying $1,000/month and one VIP client for $685. Rachel booked over $1,600 in client work directly from our private directory—and that’s just the start. Talk about ROI.
If you’re ready to be discovered by clients who already trust the Workgroup brand, this is where you want your name listed.
*To join the Workgroup, just make sure you have your freelance business set up and ready to go before you pay to put yourself out there!*
▶️ How to Get Clients as a Freelancer: Live Training Replay
Hear from 8 successful freelancers from our Workgroup sharing the real strategies they use to book clients, build consistency, and grow sustainable businesses. No spammy DMs. No guessing. Just honest, proven ways to get hired and stay booked. Save the playlist here
🎧 Or listen to this replay on your fave podcast player:
- Part 1: How to Land Freelance Clients Using Warm Leads, Directories, and Client Referrals
- Part 2: Booking Freelance Clients Through Networking, Name Drop Referrals & Visibility
- Part 3: How to Land Freelance Clients from Facebook Groups, Follow-Ups, and Peer Referrals
4) Facebook Groups
Networking in Facebook Groups is one of my favorite ways to find online and local business owners in need of marketing assistance and part-time help.
I often find myself getting lots of messages and requests from overwhelmed business owners from these groups, even when I’m not looking for new clients or even trying to promote my services!
Identify your own personal areas of digital marketing interest and strengths. Then join related niche Facebook groups that might focus on:
- Local business owners and your city’s chamber of commerce
- Online entrepreneurs like course creators, home decor bloggers, membership site owners, ecommerce boutiques and Etsy marketers, etc (a lot of the bigwig digital marketing gurus offer these free groups for business owners)
- Tech platform support for any tools you love to use, like Kajabi, Kit, FunnelKit, etc.
- General support for online business owners and bloggers (like Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Diggers Podcast Insiders)
Again, don’t be gross. Don’t be a lurker or a desperate spammer who just drops your own links and self-promotes. This definitely isn’t the time to send out a bunch of spammy, unsolicited DMs to group members, begging for jobs. Make sure you know and understand the rules for each group. Some don’t allow any links or self-promotion at all! You don’t want to look desperate and needy. Or like you have so much free time on your hands, you’re just hanging out there all day.
Instead, chime in to offer genuine advice and solutions, add value to conversations or answer questions whenever you can. Make sure you’re an active and engaged member. Build up your reputation for the long-term. I love to go in and ask business owners, “Where are you stuck?” and get them talking before ever pitching my services.
Cringe Alert: Facebook group owners can see how active you are in the group. They’ll catch on quickly if you’re only there to suck up job leads without contributing anything meaningful to the group. It really isn’t a good look for you or your business.
You’ll stand out by NOT acting desperate.
Do the work the right way, and you’ll get noticed. Entrepreneurs will start sending you DMs or answering your comments with requests for follow-up.
Make sure you have your business set up to take on client leads!
5) Build your sister freelancer network!
Just like it comes to real in-person jobs, it can come down to who you know and who knows you. There is a good old boys’ network that exists online too. Build your own referral network where people are recommending you for the job. Paying for the right memberships, group coaching programs and courses (and Facebook groups as read above) will speed that up. Sister service providers will recommend and refer each other, especially when their clients need a service we don’t offer or we’re already booked out.
This is why I created my Digital Marketer’s Workgroup and share job opportunities with my students inside the Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. Because I know how difficult it is to be the new kid on the block and make yourself known.
Ok, call me biased (I am!). But I really believe this is one of the best opportunities out there for finding jobs and working online as a virtual assistant.
I’ve spent years working as a unicorn digital marketing assistant myself. And I’ve also worked with a lot of smart women who are just entering this online space. I know it can be intimidating and challenging to get started and get your foot in the door.
That was a big part of the motivation for creating my own business to help support all of you – the up-and-coming VAs who are go-getters and just need that little bit of help to open the right doors.
Plus, offering access to the client leads and in-demand jobs you want to find as a virtual assistant.
And that’s why I have several ways you can jump right into my own network, right now:
⚡️Podcast Alert: Profitable Niches for Virtual Assistants
Not sure what services to offer or where the money actually is? In this episode, I break down 10 in-demand freelance niches that are proven to pay well—so you can stop guessing and start building a profitable marketing business.
👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
More Episodes for newer freelancers
- #223 Virtual Assistant Services & Pricing Guides
- #78 Four Processes Every Freelancer Needs in Their Business with Grace Fortune
- #193 How Virtual Assistants Can Transition from Hourly to Project Rates
- #29 How to Get Started From Nothing in Your Freelance Business
The Takeaway: It’s a Long Game (But You’re Closer Than You Think)
Finding that first client is the hardest. Not because there’s a lack of opportunity—but because it requires courage. Courage to tell people what you do. Courage to believe in your value before the testimonials and wins stack up. Courage to keep showing up even when it feels like everyone else has a full roster and you’re still refreshing your inbox.
But here’s the truth: you only need one yes to change everything.
Every seasoned freelancer you admire started where you are. They took the awkward step of introducing themselves, sent the pitch they weren’t sure would land, and said yes to the job they weren’t sure they were ready for (spoiler alert: they figured it out along the way).
Keep your head in the game. Treat every conversation like a breadcrumb that could lead to something bigger. Follow the path, even when it feels slow. Because momentum is real. And once you get that first client, you’re not starting from scratch anymore. You’re building.
You’ve got this! Now go tell someone what you do.
And if you need my help, slide into my DMs on Instagram.
-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.
