Do Virtual Assistants Need to Network?

Ideally yes, Virtual Assistants should network because building relationships and becoming known for what you do can lead to clients, referrals and opportunities. But networking doesn’t have to mean walking into a room full of strangers with a name badge stuck to your boob.

Let me show you some ways you may not have even thought of as ‘networking’.

Phew, that feels better already, right?

When I first became a Virtual Assistant back in late 2015, I did a little bit of face-to-face networking.

And I won’t lie, I found it scary. I remember my first event and lifting up a cup of tea and the bloody thing took ages to align with my mouth. I was actually shaking!

Walking into a room where you don’t know anyone, making small talk and then somehow finding a natural way to explain what you do isn’t everyone’s idea of a lovely morning out.

It certainly wasn’t mine.

To make matters worse, Virtual Assistants weren’t as well known then as they are now. I was still learning how to articulate what I actually did, while half the people I spoke to seemed to think a VA was some sort of computer.

But networking helped me build my business.

And over a decade later, networking is an even more important part of getting clients as a Virtual Assistant.

But did you know, networking isn’t always a face-to-face event. You might already be ‘networking’ without realising.

Why do Virtual Assistants need to network?

If you’ve seen these absolutely ridiculous scammy accounts online that promote ‘faceless marketing‘ and how you can make six figures by never showing your face, never telling anyone about you and never having a human to human conversation, then I am here to tell you it’s… rubbish.

Absolute rubbish.

People, humans, want to know who they’re handing their money to. It’s all part of the know, like and trust – three things your audience needs to feel before they feel safe, comfortable and confident enough to work with you and hand over their hard-earned money.

This is why face-to-face networking works so well for getting clients, because it ticks off the know element quickly, which also helps potential clients develop the like and trust elements more quickly.

But guess what? Networking isn’t just face-to-face, you may already be networking in other ways, I’ll tell you what they are in a moment.

What does networking mean?

Networking simply means building relationships with people who could become clients, refer you to clients, introduce you to opportunities or remember your name when somebody says, ‘Does anyone know a good VA that can help me with XYZ?’

That’s it.

You don’t need to march into a networking event armed with 100 business cards and an elevator pitch you’ve been practising in front of the mirror, or to the cat, for three days.

Networking can happen almost anywhere.

Face-to-face networking

Let’s start with the obvious one.

Local business networking events can be brilliant for Virtual Assistants because you’re putting yourself in a room full of business owners.

And what do business owners quite often need?

A good slap? No… Help.

You don’t need to go in determined to come home with three clients. Go in, talk to people, find out about their businesses and let them find out about yours.

Sound scary? I know, don’t worry – if you know me even a little bit you’ll know I am about to make it sooooo much easier for you with these little beauties.

When I first started networking, I stumbled across a T-shirt with that slogan on the front.

It was bloody brilliant.

Instead of having to awkwardly work out how to tell everyone I was a Virtual Assistant, my T-shirt did it for me.

People commented on it. They asked me about being a VA. It started conversations.

My 30-second pitch was basically written across my boobs. 😂

Years later, with permission from the person behind the original slogan, I’ve brought it back with my own designs.

[SEE THE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT T-SHIRTS]

Because networking is considerably less scary when your clothes have already broken the ice for you.

 

Other ways to network as a Virtual Assistant

You may already be networking heavily and not even realise it. Because you can network without leaving your house.

Engaging with other people’s content is networking

LinkedIn is probably the most obvious example. You may have seen me go on and on about engaging with other people’s content, well, that’s networking. You’re talking to other business owners, you’re getting in front of them, you’re joining their conversations..

Every time you leave a thoughtful comment on someone’s post, join a conversation, answer a question or connect with somebody relevant, you’re networking.

And I don’t mean dropping:

‘Great post! 👏’

under 47 posts a day.

Actually talk to people.

If someone repeatedly sees your name and has good conversations with you, you’re becoming familiar to them.

Then one day they need a VA.

Or someone they know does.

And your name is the one they remember!

They know you.

That’s networking.

Talking to people is networking

This is one people MASSIVELY overlook.

Tell the self-employed plumber who’s come out to fix the blocked toilet for the third time this month what you do. Tell your family, your Pilates instructor, your hairdresser, the coffee shop owner or the solicitor you accidentally bumped into while listening to ‘She’s Alright When You Get to Know Her’ on your AirPods.

You’re having conversations with people.

I’m not suggesting you start pitching Email Management while your hairdresser has got scissors next to your ear, obviously.

But don’t keep your business a secret.

Your hairdresser knows loads of people, including other business owners. And some of them might not even realise they need a Virtual Assistant until the subject comes up.

Someone could mention that they’re drowning in admin and your hairdresser can say:

‘Oh! I know someone who does that.’

That’s networking.

And you didn’t have to eat a single networking breakfast.

Online networking events

Some networking events are online, so you just need to sit on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet. You only need to wear a top, the bottom half can be your pyjamas! Welcome back 2020!

Is networking possible if you’re an introvert?

You don’t need to become the loudest person in the room to get clients.

You don’t need to suddenly love small talk.

And you definitely don’t need to attend three networking events a week.

Choose the type of networking that suits you.

Maybe that’s one local event a month.

Maybe it’s LinkedIn from your sofa.

Maybe it’s an online business community.

Maybe you start by simply getting better at telling the people already in your life what you actually do.

The important thing is that people know you exist.

Because someone can’t recommend the brilliant Virtual Assistant they don’t know about.

What should you wear to a business networking event?

Wear your 30-second pitch. 

My ‘Virtual Assistant in the flesh’ T-shirts tell everyone what you do before you’ve even introduced yourself. They’re conversation starters, ice breakers and a much easier way to get people asking you about your business. 

Take the awkwardness out of networking and discovery calls with fun conversation-starting T-shirts for Virtual Assistants.

Tshirt slogan courtesy of VANA, supporting Virtual Assistants since 2003 · VAnetworking.com

Where to find networking events in the UK

Keep an eye on LinkedIn and in Facebook business groups.

Eventbrite is also a great place for local and national events.

Local business magazines may also have some networking events from time to time.

Award nights are also a great way to ‘network’, so get nominating yourself for some awards.