100 Tasks VAs are Getting Paid to Do – CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST!
Wondering where to find virtual assistant clients when you’re just starting out? Forget job boards that pay $5/hour. This post breaks down 5 real places to find quality clients who actually pay what you’re worth—from Facebook groups to warm outreach. You’ll walk away with a game plan to land your first (or next) client!
You’ve decided to become a virtual assistant. You’ve picked your services. You might even have a website or a basic Canva portfolio. But now you’re staring at your empty client roster thinking: where the heck do I find virtual assistant clients?
This is the question that keeps every new VA up at night. Because you can have all the skills in the world, but if you don’t have clients, you don’t have a business!
Here’s the good news: There are actual, real places where clients are actively looking for VAs right now. You don’t have to cold-call strangers or spam your Instagram DMs. You don’t have to work for $5/hour on sketchy job boards just to “get experience.”
Let’s talk about where to find virtual assistant clients who will actually pay you what you’re worth.
Most new VAs make one of two mistakes when looking for clients:
Mistake 1: They go to the wrong places. They sign up for Fiverr or Upwork and end up competing with people charging $3/hour. Or they spam random business owners on Instagram and wonder why no one responds.
Mistake 2: They don’t go anywhere at all. They build a website, post on their personal Facebook page once, and then sit back waiting for clients to magically appear.
Here’s the truth: Finding clients requires intentional effort. You have to show up where your ideal clients already are, and you have to present yourself as a professional who solves problems—not someone desperately begging for work.
So where do you actually find these clients? Let’s break it down.
If I could only recommend one place to find VA clients, it would be Facebook groups. Hands down.
Facebook groups are online communities where people gather around a specific topic—like entrepreneurship, online business, coaching, e-commerce, or specific industries. And here’s the beautiful part: Business owners in these groups are constantly asking for recommendations for VAs!
How to use Facebook groups to find clients:
Join 10-15 groups where your ideal clients hang out. If you want to work with online coaches, join coaching Facebook groups. If you want to work with real estate agents, find real estate entrepreneur groups.
Engage genuinely. Don’t just lurk. Comment on posts, answer questions, and be helpful. Show that you know what you’re talking about.
Watch for posts asking for VA recommendations. People post things like “Does anyone know a good VA who can handle my inbox?” or “Looking for someone to manage my social media.” Jump in and send them a DM!
Introduce yourself in “promo” threads. Many groups have weekly threads where members can share their services. Use those opportunities to post about what you offer.
Offer value upfront. Answer questions related to your services. If someone asks “What’s the best scheduling tool?” and you know the answer, share it! Position yourself as helpful, not salesy.
I know, I know. You’re thinking, “But my friends and family don’t need a VA!”
Maybe not. But they know people who do.
Your network is one of the most underutilized client sources for new VAs. The people in your life already trust you. They’ve seen you manage a household, coordinate events, or juggle multiple responsibilities. They know you’re capable.
How to tap into your network:
Send an email announcement. Draft a simple email to 30-50 people in your contact list. Explain that you’re launching a VA business, what services you offer, and who you’re looking to work with. Ask them to forward it to anyone they know who might need help.
Post on your personal social media. Share that you’re now offering virtual assistant services. Be specific about what you do and who it’s for. You’d be surprised how many people will reach out or tag someone who needs help!
Reach out to past employers or coworkers. If you worked in an office before, your former boss or colleagues might need freelance support. Send a friendly message letting them know you’re available for contract work.
Ask for referrals. Once you land your first client (even if it’s a friend doing you a favor), ask them to refer you to others if they’re happy with your work.
Your network might not land you 10 clients overnight, but it can absolutely get you your first one or two—which is all you need to build momentum and testimonials!
LinkedIn isn’t just for corporate job hunting. It’s actually a goldmine for finding VA clients—if you use it strategically.
Business owners, entrepreneurs, and executives are all over LinkedIn. And many of them are actively looking for support but don’t even know what a VA is yet. Your job is to show up and make it easy for them to find you.
How to use LinkedIn to attract clients:
Optimize your profile. Your headline shouldn’t just say “Virtual Assistant.” Make it results-driven, like: “Virtual Assistant | Helping Busy Coaches Reclaim 15+ Hours Per Week.”
Post valuable content. Share tips related to productivity, time management, or the services you offer. You don’t need to go viral—you just need to show up consistently so potential clients see you as knowledgeable.
Connect with your ideal clients. Search for entrepreneurs, small business owners, or executives in your target industry. Send connection requests with a personalized note (not a pitch—just a genuine “I love your work” message).
Engage with their content. Comment on posts from people you want to work with. Add value, ask thoughtful questions, and build rapport before you ever pitch.
Send warm outreach messages. Once you’ve connected and engaged, you can send a casual message like: “Hey [Name], I noticed you mentioned struggling with inbox overload in your recent post. I help entrepreneurs like you manage their email so they can focus on revenue-driving tasks. Would you be open to a quick chat about how I could support you?”
LinkedIn works, but it requires patience. You’re building relationships, not spamming strangers with sales pitches.
Direct outreach means reaching out to businesses or individuals who might need your services—even if they’re not actively hiring.
This strategy works best when you offer something specific and valuable. For example, if you notice a local business has a messy Instagram account or an outdated website, you can reach out and offer your help.
How to do direct outreach without feeling slimy:
Identify businesses that could use your help. Look for small businesses, solopreneurs, or coaches who are clearly doing well but could benefit from better systems or support.
Lead with value. Don’t just say “Hey, do you need a VA?” Instead, point out something specific you noticed and offer a solution. Example: “Hi Sarah, I noticed your Instagram hasn’t been updated in a few weeks. I specialize in social media management for wellness coaches and would love to help you stay consistent. Would you be open to a quick conversation?”
Offer a free audit or consultation. You can review their website, social media, or email marketing and provide a few quick wins for free. This builds trust and shows your value before they even hire you.
Follow up (but don’t be pushy). If they don’t respond to your first message, send one follow-up a week later. After that, move on.
Direct outreach isn’t for everyone—it requires confidence and a bit of thick skin. But when done well, it can land you high-quality clients who weren’t even looking for help yet!
Let’s talk about where you should NOT waste your time:
Fiverr and Upwork (for most VAs). These platforms are race-to-the-bottom pricing. You’ll compete with people charging $5/hour. If you’re okay with that, fine—but most VAs burn out fast trying to make a living on these sites.
Random Instagram DMs. Sliding into someone’s DMs with “Hey, I’m a VA, do you need help?” rarely works. It feels spammy and usually gets ignored.
Job boards that don’t specialize in VAs. General freelance job boards are full of clients who don’t understand what a VA does or what they should pay. You’ll waste hours applying to gigs that pay $10/hour.
Your personal Facebook page (only). Posting once on your personal page and expecting clients to flood your inbox won’t work. You have to go where your ideal clients already are.
Finding where clients hang out is step one. Actually getting hired is step two.
Here’s how to convert potential clients into paying clients:
Position yourself as a problem-solver, not a task-doer. Don’t say “I can manage your inbox.” Say “I help busy entrepreneurs stay on top of their email so they never miss an important message or opportunity.”
Be specific about who you help. “I work with online coaches” is better than “I work with anyone.”
Have a simple way for people to contact you. Whether it’s a website, a Google Form, or a Calendly link, make it easy for interested clients to reach out.
Follow up! If someone expresses interest, follow up within 24 hours. Interested clients move fast—if you wait too long, they’ll hire someone else.
Send a clear proposal or contract. Once they’re ready to hire you, send a professional proposal or contract that outlines your services, rates, and payment terms. This seals the deal and makes you look legit!
Now you know where to find virtual assistant clients—and where not to waste your time.
The key is to pick 2-3 of these strategies and commit to them consistently. You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to show up where your ideal clients are and present yourself as the solution to their problems.
If you want the exact step-by-step plan for finding and pitching your first client, the 14-Days to VA Roadmap walks you through everything – from choosing your services to crafting your pitch to landing that first paying client in 14 days or less.
No more guessing, no more overwhelm. Just a clear roadmap to get you from “thinking about it” to actually making money as a VA. Let’s make this happen!
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Wondering where to find virtual assistant clients when you’re just starting out? Forget job boards that pay $5/hour. This post breaks down 5 real places to find quality clients who actually pay what you’re worth—from Facebook groups to warm outreach. You’ll walk away with a game plan to land your first (or next) client!
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