One of my first clients was a consultant in the insurance industry. He was what I lovingly refer to as a “needy” client. I was on the phone with him every day (sometimes more than once) but he gave me very little work because he didn’t want to give up control of anything. I hit my breaking point on another endless phone call (that I wasn’t billing for) about a marketing campaign we’d be discussing for two weeks already without implementing. I was so miserable I stepped away a month into it even though I only had one other paying client.
There isn’t enough money for that amount of crazy…but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
Often, people will tell you the first step as a virtual assistant is to figure out who your ideal client is…and stick to it no matter what. There are at least dozen freebies out there stepping you through how to determine who your ideal client is and where they’re at on the internet. Some of them want you to get so detailed that you have to figure out the names of their hypothetical children.
To me, this is a huge waste of time and energy.
If you limit yourself to the 30-something mom of two who runs an online coaching business, you might miss out on beautiful opportunities to work with amazing (and not-so-amazing) clients. Because you NEED both to truly figure out the work that lights you up inside.
If I had skipped my foray into the insurance world with that client, I wouldn’t have learned how to spot a demanding client a mile away. It would have taken me much longer to learn how to have difficult conversations with clients to demand the respect I deserved. And I wouldn’t have learned that I won’t stoop to sleazy marketing tactics or aggressive cold selling for a client. It just isn’t who I am.
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice during the first months of my business, it would be to figure out the three most in-demand skills you have in your toolbox. Once you know what will make you money, find any client you can to practice them with.
You WILL have clients that leave you saying, “What was I thinking?”. But you’ll also stumble upon clients that will open up doors for you to grow with their business.
Use the opportunity to grow your skillset and the systems you’re proficient in. Take the time to collect social proof that you’re an amazing virtual assistant. And don’t be afraid to work with the client who pushes you out of your comfort zone. (Those are the best ones!)
Chances are that you’ll find out who your ideal client is by working with them. (Yes, it’s that simple.) Things will click in the working relationship, the work will light you up, and you’ll be left wondering how you can get more clients just like this one. And because the process has happened organically, your business will be set up to find those clients. Your skillset will align and your marketing will be effortless.
I know some of you are shaking your head right about now and wondering why on earth I would recommend that your first step as a virtual assistant should be taking whatever work comes your way while you figure things out.
It might seem like identifying your dream client and single-mindedly seeking them out is the easiest way to build a business. But without experience, without the systems in your business, and without the ability to learn what you really want from a working relationship that ideal client won’t want to work with you even if you manage to find them.