Virtual Buzz Assistant

Are you looking for a virtual assistant job?

First, what are you really good at as a virtual assistant?  Do not go out and look for anything that is a virtual assistant job.

I looked over Virtual Assistant Jobs on oDesk and many different kinds of things come up.

• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Outbound call center.
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Joomla Expert
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Data Entry
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Web Design
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Blog Writer
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Video Production
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Executive Assistant
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – ASP/PHP/IIS/APACHE/Windows/Eclipse BIRT manager to oversee several ongoing projects
• Virtual Assistant Wanted – Spanish Language PR

As you can see from this list, just going out and looking for a Virtual Assistant Job is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack.  Forget calling yourself a virtual assistant and start thinking about what your special skills are.  Market those skills  – and provide services virtually.

The reason that people are trying to hire “Virtual Assistants” is the perception that they should be much cheaper than consultants.  BEFORE YOU LEAVE ME AN ANGRY COMMENT – That is not my opinion.  I am telling you this because it is important to understand how the marketplace precieves you.

Instead of calling yourself a virtual assistant, call yourself something that shows you have a specialty.

• Virtual Executive Assistant
• Virtual Marketing Assistant
• Virtual Web Manager
• Affiliate Manager
• Virtual Blog Writer
• Freelance Copywriter
• Virtual PR Specialist
• ETC

I know some readers do not agree and vigorously defend the title Virtual Assistant, but it is not about what Virtual Assistants want, it is about the perception from buyers in the marketplace.  And yes, there are plenty of exceptions to this.  A good virtual assistant is worth a lot, I agree.

If you are trying to find a virtual assistant job, you will find fewer opportunities, but much better opportunities, if you focus on your best skills.

How to find Virtual Assistant Job Openings

Many people do not even know what a virtual assistant is.  That means that you need help people understand why hiring a virtual assistant, especially to do Internet Marketing, is a better value.

With that in mind, where can you look for job openings?

1. Want Ads – It might be old fashion, but have you thought of looking for people that are trying to hire employees and offering them your services?
2. Internet Marketing Forums – Did you know that Internet Marketing forums are full of Internet Marketing Entrepreneurs that are always complaining about how hard it is to find a good Virtual Assistant?
3. Cold Call Specific Industries – Did you know that many Realtors hire Virtual Assistants to help them keep all the real estate listings up to date?  It is a lot of work that a Virtual Marketing Assistant can really help out with.  Might be bad timing this year, but the need is out there.
4. Support for Marketing Agencies – Did you know that many marketing agencies need marketing support services and a Virtual Assistant is a great way for them to scale up their business without hiring more people.

Want the rest of the tips on finding Virtual Assistant Job Openings?  Then you really need to join this community.  We made it super affordable and there are always a few Virtual Assistant Job requests in the job board.

Virtual Assistant Jobs are everywhere.  But that does not mean they are easy to get.  To land great virtual assistant jobs you have to be able to think like the business owner that is hiring you as a virtual assitant.  Here are the kinds of things you need to consider to improve your chances of getting a va job.

1. Specialize in something that has high demand.  For example, here at the virtual buzz assistant network we specialize in Internet Marketing because of the high demand.  No business owner wants to hear that you will do a laundry list of things because they know you cannot be good at all those things.
2. Own an industry or two.  It is actually easier to get virtual assistant jobs if you know one or two industries extremely well.  For example, you could specialize in helping authors promote their books.  Not only will authors want to hire you as their internet marketing virtual assistant because you are a specialist, but it will also be easier for you to hone your pitch and focus on a specific group of people.
3. Package your services – You will get more virtual assistant jobs if you package your services in a way that is easy for people to understand.  For example, you may have a $500 per month internet promotions package that involves blog writing and website promotion.
4. Use testimonials – If you really want to get more virtual assistant jobs, be ready with testimonials and contact information of your past clients.  Send these things to prospective clients along with proposals and use them on your website if appropriate.
5. Blog – Blogging is a great way to show off your competency.  Use your blog to demonstrate your virtual assistant skills.
6. Learn how to upsell.  There is a good chance someone is going to start out with a small project with you and then decide if they want to do more with you after the trial period.  Practice selling the trial package and get good at upselling after you have demonstrated your virtual assistant value.
7. Ask for referrals – if you have happy clients, there is a good chance they will be able to help you land more virtual assistant jobs if you simply ask for a referral.

These tips will help you find virtual assistant jobs that pay better and can lead to long term virtual assistant work in the future.

Related articles

• Internet Marketing Virtual Assistants
• Virtual Assistant Salary
• Virtual Assistant Skills
• Hire a Virtual Assistant

What are Virtual Jobs?

Virtual Jobs are jobs that you can do from anywhere – as long as you have web access.

Virtual Assistants are people that work virtually on specific jobs that assist the full time staff or the individual entrepreneur.  A virtual job provides more flexibility but also requires good communication, discipline and organization.

Of course, the advantages of virtual jobs are that you are in business for yourself and that means you will be able to take advantage of some important things.

• Tax Advantages for Virtual Assistant Business
• Schedule Flexibility
• Set hours and pay
• Take working vacations

Some disadvantages of a virtual job are:

• Not in the office, so not as tightly part of the team
• Sometimes working in isolation
• Must be very clear on communications to avoid costly errors
• Cannot get distracted by surroundings easily – keep twitter turned off
• Distrust – you may have to work harder to overcome distrust of not being in office
• Jealousy – Employees that cannot work from home may be jealous of other people’s virtual jobs

Virtual Jobs are the wave of the future, but remember that you are really going to have to prove your value and ability to do a great job working virtually from your home.

One thing I do not like about running a network like this is that some people sign up and then think they should get all their sales leads from us.  For a virtual assistant to get jobs with new customers, it is going to take some effort in more than one or two strategies.

Many of these tips are not just for virtual assistant jobs, but for any business that wants to generate new customers.

Finding Virtual Assistant Jobs Tip List

1. Local networking groups like IRN, BNI or B2BConnect
2. Local Chamber of Commerce
3. Bowling Alleys (Just seeing if you are staying awake)
4. Webinars (Participate and follow up with people)
5. Local Training and Seminars
6. Online Forums
7. Online Social Groups
8. Local Clubs
9. Charity Events as a volunteer
10. Asking your existing clients for referrals
11. Conferences
12. Educate local business incubators about your services
13. Hold a contest
14. Offer to do overflow for marketing agencies
15. Join VA Networks
16. Go to local meetup meetings (Not the weird ones)
17. Clearly articulate virtual assistant jobs you do so other people can tell their friends
18. Email local businesses
19. Attend Local blog groups
20. Teach a workshop at the local library
21. Write guest post on blogs (and offer to do a regular paid post if the blogger likes your work)
22. Network any way and every way you can
23. Write articles about how to do the services you do and offer help in your bio – add these to article repositories.
24. Offer a finders fee
25. Use freelance sites like guru.com, odesk.com and elance.com

I love all the web options for getting virtual assistant jobs because I am one of those dorky web guys.  I am also smart enough to know that when you meet new potential customers face to face, you are much more likely to work with them.  If you need work fast, start networking fast, in person and regularly.