Let me tell you a quick story about my journey to becoming a successful marketing virtual assistant or freelance marketer.
Like many people, I started my career in the corporate world. My first job was in the procurement department of an FMCG company as a contractual employee. However, I only lasted 11 months. Although my managers wanted me to stay, the offer was still for a contractual position, which wasn’t ideal for me.
I then moved on to another company, but unfortunately, that job didn’t last for a year either. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lacking or that maybe I wasn’t meant for that type of work. One day, I met a classmate from a foreign language class who mentioned that she was working as a freelance eCommerce specialist. This really caught my interest, as I wasn’t aware that you could freelance in office-related work. Previously, I thought freelancing was limited to roles like teaching or ESL tutoring, a job I had unfortunately failed to secure.
Because of the idea of working remotely, I decided to explore the world of freelancing.
Some of my colleagues asked me, “You already secured a job at one of the top companies in the Philippines, why change your path?” In 2017, virtual assistance or WFH jobs were not yet common in the Philippines. The funny thing was, some people could wrongly assume that you’re doing something indecent if you’re working at home (if you know what I mean), but that didn’t stop me from changing my career path.
The reason why I quickly changed my career path, aside from the idea of working remotely, is because:
And as they say, the rest is history!
My foreign language classmate gave me a list of freelancing sites to apply for, such as Upwork, Craigslist, Remote Jobs, People per Hour, and Onlinejobs.ph. I applied to every site endlessly, submitting 2-5 applications on each. Eventually, I got my very first job as an eCommerce VA for a dropshipping company. Freelancing and virtual assistance were not popular back then, so I think that contributed to why I got the job quickly. I remember my rate at that time was $2/hr, but I didn’t last long because the client ghosted me after I worked for half a month.
But that didn’t make me lose hope. Eventually, I got more clients, managed to upskill, and now I’m earning comfortably.
If you’re not yet familiar with a virtual assistant, it is someone who provides administrative, technical, or creative support to clients remotely. Unlike a traditional office assistant, a virtual assistant works from their own location and communicates with clients through various online tools such as email, chat, or video calls.
As a virtual assistant, you have the opportunity to work with clients from all over the world without being confined to a physical office space. This gives you the flexibility to work on your own terms and create a work-life balance that suits you.
Becoming a virtual assistant is not an easy feat. Many Filipino aspirants have left their corporate jobs to pursue this career path, only to struggle in finding their first client. It can be disheartening to see friends return to corporate work after months of unsuccessful applications. In today’s freelancing world, competition is fierce, and getting a client is almost as challenging as applying for a corporate job.
It’s important to have realistic expectations when starting out as a virtual assistant.
And before taking the leap into freelancing, it’s crucial to understand the market and consider some tips that might help you succeed.
If you already have work experience, you can stick with that field and find jobs that allow remote work. However, even with experience, you still need to research and study. Work processes and tools differ across countries. Study and familiarize yourself with common tools used in your industry. If you can upskill, do so. This will increase your chances of getting hired and allow you to ask for a higher rate.
If you don’t like your current field, no worries! You can still find freelance projects even if you don’t have experience. It may take longer, but don’t be overwhelmed. As long as you research and learn about your chosen niche, you’ll be fine! There are tons of FREE resources online, including free courses on YouTube. If you want to get certified on a budget, consider Udemy or search online for “budget-friendly virtual assistant courses.”
But, if you’re unsure of which niche to pursue, look for fields with remote job opportunities and start learning about them.
Invest time in building your personal brand online through social media platforms. Creating a professional and engaging online presence is crucial for aspiring virtual assistants. If you don’t have a budget to build a website, don’t worry! Utilize your social media profiles to promote yourself.
You can create a Facebook Page or optimize your existing Facebook account, set up a LinkedIn profile, and use Instagram to showcase your skills and offerings. Optimize your social media profiles to make them visible to your target audience.
Choose the right platforms that align with your target audience, such as LinkedIn or Instagram. Share your skills and services through well-crafted posts, videos, or articles. Engage with relevant communities and network with industry professionals to expand your reach.
Remember, consistency is the key in maintaining a strong personal brand online.
Join virtual assistant communities to network with other professionals and learn from their experiences. Building a network of like-minded individuals by attending industry events can help you meet new people, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and exchange ideas with experts in your field.
Joining online communities, such as LinkedIn or Facebook groups, can provide access to valuable resources and support. Active communities are especially beneficial as members often share advice and solutions. Some groups even organize meetups, providing opportunities to network and make new friends with similar interests.
Participating in webinars or podcasts can help establish you as an authority in your industry and reach a wider audience. Actively networking and engaging with others in your field can expand your knowledge and lead to new opportunities.
There are several ways to find clients online:
Finding your first freelancing gig requires effort and dedication. Stay consistent in your search and continually hone your skills. With persistence, you will secure clients in no time.
BCS, or Breakthrough Case Study, is a process of offering your service for FREE for a short period in exchange for a testimonial and the opportunity to create a case study after the project. You might ask, “Aren’t we not supposed to offer our service for FREE?” Yes, you’re right, but in this case, it is a WIN-WIN situation for both of you, especially if you’re having a hard time finding your first virtual assistant job.
Once the BCS is done and you achieve the satisfactory results you’re aiming for, you can write a case study for the project. This will serve as your portfolio and work experience. Then, you can offer your BCS client a paid service, or you can move on to find your first paying client and showcase your case study.
This process only applies to those without experience in the field. If you have experience, you can skip this stage.
Get a part-time job and test the waters first. Don’t leave your current job without securing a client. I understand that you’re a risk-taker, but I have to be honest: freelancing is not for everyone. I’ve read many horror stories about people who became jobless for more than a few months because they resigned and had a hard time finding their first client. Wouldn’t it be better to try it out first before making a full transition? VA jobs are not easy; just because it says WORK FROM HOME doesn’t mean we’re at home doing Facebook and stuff. We also do what you do, but with more responsibility ahead of us. We get stressed from work and can get disappointed with our clients (or bosses). So take a part-time job and see it for yourself. Once you enjoy it, GO AHEAD AND RESIGN!
Okay, this is the most controversial part. (Disclaimer: all of this is from my opinion and experience.) Some newbies, and even those with experience, accept a rate of less than $5/hr for a gig just to gain experience. Because of this, clients get the impression that Filipinos accept lowball offers, which is disappointing. You spend a lot of effort studying and your money on tools and courses, and then clients underestimate you just because someone else accepts a lowball offer. Isn’t it unfair? I understand that some people accept these low-paying gigs because they believe it’s “better than nothing.” These people might have had enough with their previous experiences, so they take the risk to accept such offers.
But if you’re one of them, please don’t stay for long if your client has no plan to increase your rate in the future. Whether you call yourself a freelancer or a virtual assistant, consider yourself a business owner. You are partnering with your client to do the job. You dictate what’s fair for you. At the end of the day, you’re the one spending on equipment and other work expenses, not them, right?
Professionals from all around the world fight for the same chances in the competitive industry of freelancing. Investing time in learning new talents and honing your skills can help you to stand out in the competition. Aim to become a leader or authority something distinctive that distinguishes you from the industry; else, try to establish yourself as an authority in your field of knowledge.
Online courses, workshop attendance, or even just daily self-study and practice time can all be part of an upskill program. Constant improvement of your skill set not only raises the caliber of your job but also adds more worth to possible customers. Higher-paying projects, more regular work prospects, and a better professional reputation can all follow from this aggressive attitude.
Upskilling also guarantees that your services remain relevant and in demand by keeping you updated with industry developments and innovations. Learning a new software tool, honing sophisticated procedures, or becoming knowledgeable in a hot issue in your sector will greatly extend your job possibilities.
Do what you love. It’s a simple mantra, but it holds so much power. Again, VA jobs are not easy. They require dedication, hard work, and a passion for what you do. So, before you decide to become a full-time freelancer, test the waters first. This will give you a taste of what to expect and help you determine if it’s the right fit for you. Virtual assistance may seem like an opportunity to work from home and relax, but in reality, it requires a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to different tasks and clients.
So there you go, be confident in yourself, apply the above tips, and you would get your desired offer. Happy freelancing!
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