5 Places to Find Your First Virtual Assistant Clients
So, you've done all the fun bits of setting up your business.
You've got your domain and email address set up, you've had a whale of a time designing your branding in Canva, you've sorted your insurance, ICO reg and contracts – you’ve officially launched your Virtual Assistant business.
Now you just need to find some clients. Easy right?!
Or maybe not so easy… for so many new VAs, this is the daunting part. If you're wondering, "Where do I actually find people who want to hire a VA?" you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions I hear from aspiring and new Virtual Assistants.
The good news? Your ideal clients are already out there. The key is knowing where to get visible. So here are 5 places you can start:
1. Start with the people who already know you
One of the easiest places to find your first clients is much closer than you think. Tell everyone you know that you've started a Virtual Assistant business. (And yes, this is scary because you’re putting yourself out there! And sometimes, friends and family don’t understand. But sometimes, they know of the PERFECT client for you! Well worth the effort)
Friends, family, former colleagues, neighbours and existing contacts can all become valuable advocates. Even if they don't need a VA themselves, they may know someone who does.
Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective ways to grow a service-based business - with 71% of VAs finding clients through referrals and word-of-mouth (SVA UK VA Survey 2025). Every conversation has the potential to lead to future business.
Rather than simply saying you're a VA, explain:
who your ideal client is
the services you offer
the problems you solve
who would be a great referral for you
The clearer you are, the easier it is for others to recommend you. If you’ve already designed some beautiful business cards, give a little stack to each of your best advocates!
2. Attend local business networking events
Being a Virtual Assistant doesn't mean you have to generate business entirely online.
Local networking groups are full of small business owners, many of whom could benefit from outsourcing admin, marketing or business support.
Networking is also about far more than finding your next client. It helps you build confidence, develop relationships and step into your role as a business owner.
Many networking organisations only allow one person from each profession to join a group, meaning you'll often be the only VA in the room. That gives you a fantastic opportunity to become the go-to person whenever someone needs Virtual Assistant support.
Don't worry if you don't sign a client after your first meeting. Networking is about establishing trust over time, and those relationships often lead to referrals months (or even years!) down the line.
3. Join local Facebook community groups
Local Facebook groups are a hybrid of real life and online. If you have a personal Facebook profile, you’ve probably seen these groups – the ones where members of your community complain about fireworks, ask for electrician recommendations, and generally congregate online.
They're also full of local business owners.
Introducing yourself (check if it's allowed first!) and what you do in these groups is a great place to start. You may find local small business owners who prefer to work with a fellow local entrepreneur.
Once you’ve checked the group rules, introduce yourself, explain what you do and become an active member of the community by joining conversations and offering helpful advice. People are far more likely to remember someone who's genuinely helpful than someone who only posts when they're selling.
4. Become active in industry-specific communities
These groups are especially useful if you specialise in a particular industry, such as public relations or personal training. Spend time where your ideal clients already spend time.
You'll find these groups all over social media, particularly on LinkedIn and Facebook, and they are great spaces to build relationships with potential clients. Chances are, self-promo isn't allowed, but you can still get recognised for your skills by posting help and advice.
When people repeatedly see you providing valuable advice, you naturally become someone they trust.
That trust often turns into enquiries when they're ready to outsource.
If you're still deciding who your ideal clients are, our post on niching as a VA might help!
5. Work with another Virtual Assistant
Not every client has to be your own.
You may have heard the term ‘associate VA’. Many experienced Virtual Assistants grow their businesses by bringing in associates to support their client work.
When you work as an associate, your contract is with the Lead VA. They find and manage the clients and outsource the work to you.
It's a fantastic way to:
build experience
increase your confidence
earn an income while growing your own business
develop your portfolio
learn how established VAs manage client relationships
Many successful VAs start this way before gradually building up their own direct clients, and there's no reason you can't do both at the same time.
Visibility comes before clients
Finding clients isn't about luck – it's about visibility.
As a new VA, getting visible can feel daunting. But the more people who know what you do, who you help and why they should recommend you, the more opportunities you'll create.
Start with one or two of these ideas rather than trying to do everything at once. Stay consistent, keep showing up and remember that every conversation has the potential to lead to your next client.
Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while for anything to come of your efforts. Getting visible is like sowing seeds, you might not see the results for what feels like ages, but then several opportunities could sprout at once.
Key takeaways
Start by telling everyone in your existing network about your VA business.
Build relationships through local business networking events.
Use local Facebook community groups to increase your visibility.
Join industry-specific communities where your ideal clients already spend time.
Consider associate VA work while building your own client base.
Consistency and visibility are the foundations of attracting clients - sow those seeds!
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my first Virtual Assistant client?
There's no single formula for finding your first client, but the most important thing is to get visible. Start by telling people in your existing network about your business, attend local networking events, join relevant online communities and look for opportunities to work as an Associate VA. Focus on building relationships rather than making a sale, and remember that consistency is what turns visibility into enquiries.
How long does it take to get your first Virtual Assistant client?
There's no set timeline. Some VAs sign their first client within a few weeks, while for others it can take several months. The key is to stay visible and consistent. Every conversation, networking event and piece of content is another opportunity to make connections that could lead to future work.
Should I work as an Associate VA first?
Working as an Associate VA can be a brilliant way to gain experience, build confidence and earn an income while you're growing your own business. Many successful Virtual Assistants combine associate work with attracting their own direct clients before eventually deciding which route suits them best.
Do I need social media to find Virtual Assistant clients?
Not necessarily. Social media can be a useful marketing tool, but it's not the only way to find clients. Referrals, networking, local community groups and associate opportunities can all help you build a successful VA business. The important thing is to focus on the places where your ideal clients spend their time.
Next steps
Ready to start finding your first VA clients? Here's where I'd begin:
Choose one or two places from this list rather than trying to be everywhere at once.
Tell five people about your new business this week and explain exactly who you help.
Book one networking event or introduce yourself in one relevant online community.
Keep showing up consistently. Building visibility takes time, but every conversation and connection is another seed you've planted for future business.
If you're looking for more support with getting visible, attracting the right clients and growing a profitable VA business, The VA Village is here to help. Inside the membership you'll find training, resources and a supportive community to help you confidently market your business and sign clients – without feeling like you have to figure it all out alone.
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About the author:
Kayleigh Johnstone is the founder of COZ & Co, an award-winning Business Support & Visibility Agency, and the creator of The VA Village. As a qualified EMCC Coach and Mentor, Kayleigh is dedicated to helping incredible women launch and grow profitable, flexible Virtual Assistant businesses. A recognised leader in the UK small business community and a Small Biz 100 featured entrepreneur, she provides a clear blueprint for VAs who want to stop chasing the 9-to-5 and build a guilt-free business that values their individual brilliance and general neurospicy awesomeness.
This blog was first posted in January 2021 and was last updated in 2026.
