Recently, one of my coaching students asked me, “Rachel, how do I stand out as a Virtual Assistant?”
Y’all. I was giddy with excitement. Here’s why.
Over the last few years, interest in hiring and becoming a Virtual Assistant has skyrocketed. And understandably so. Post-pandemic, people’s perspective on life shifted heavily, with many craving a more autonomous and flexible lifestyle.
As a successful VA and course creator, I’ve created a name for myself in a crowded market without sacrificing authenticity for sales and clients, and I know you can too.
Whether you’re just starting your career or you’ve been in business for years, here are four tips to help you stand out as a Virtual Assistant.
1. Know Your Target Audience—and Speak to Them
Every business owner should have a clear idea of who their target audience is. Your messaging—from your website to your social media content—should always be reflective of the audience you’re trying to connect with. Once you have a clear idea of who you want to serve, you can create content that appeals directly to them.
For example, the target audience for my Educators Exit course is burnt-out teachers ready to make a change. While anyone could enroll in this course, I chose to market to teachers because I know how to connect with them on a deep, emotional level. As a former teacher, I speak their language; I know their frustrations, and I created a solution to help them solve it.
Spend five seconds on my Instagram and you’ll see that the majority of my content is strategically speaking to my target audience.
That’s intentional. Get clear on who you want to serve and then speak their language.
Ps. If you need help finding your target audience, check out this toolkit.
2. Prioritize Video Content
This should come as no surprise that video content outperforms static or photo content online. TikTok’s and reels are designed to reach followers and non-followers alike and provide a long-form structure for you to showcase your ideas, content, and services memorably.
For some people, the idea of creating videos of themselves is scary as hell, and I totally get that. If that sounds like you, start small. Maybe snap an aesthetic-looking video, like a sunrise or a view on an afternoon walk, and layer text over that instead. You’ll still reach more eyeballs than if you uploaded a photo.
Some content ideas to get you started:
- A Day in the Life of a VA
- Get ready with me as I tell you about my services
- Work with me as I [service you offer]
- 5 things I wish I had known before coming a VA
Have fun with this! Only create content that you’re comfortable with and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine.
3. Be Intentional With Your Branding
Creating your brand can take time, and it’s something I encourage you to be super meticulous about. Ideally, your brand should last 5-10 years, so make sure it’s something you love and feels like you.
Create a logo, workshop a tagline, hire a photographer to take professional photos for you (only if you can afford it), and build a color scheme. Once your brand is solidified, you can start to craft a beautiful-looking social media feed and a website that matches.
If you’re just getting started, I recommend using the free version of Canva for your branding needs.
4. Make Meaningful Connections With Potential Clients
We’ve all heard the saying: People will forget what you say but never how you made them feel. Whether you’re interacting with a fellow VA online or a prospective client in a discovery call, make an effort to build a relationship with them. Prospective clients want to feel heard and seen, and as a Virtual Assistant, you’re a solution to their problem. What a gift that is!
For existing clients, maybe this looks like sending a welcome gift or intentionally asking them questions in status calls to learn more about who they are outside of work. Remember, small details go a long way and this is a completely free way to stand out as a Virtual Assistant.
Becoming a VA was the best decision I ever made. I’ve learned so much over the last two years, and I hope this is just one of my many resources that help you find success in your career.
Want to explore Virtual Assistant courses? Join Educators Exit or sign up for the waitlist for Next Level VA, my brand-new coaching program for existing Virtual Assistants ready to take their business up a notch.
