In my trainings and groups, I talk about hustle a lot. It’s sort of a vague term, but I’m going to end that…today. One of the VA’s that works for me – her name is April* – she and I have a similar hustle. Both of us get a lot of our work through networking in Facebook.
So the other day, I asked her to write up her strategy.
I also wrote out mine.
And they were remarkably similar.
Before I list them, one GIANT disclaimer…
If you use these strategies, you MUST have the skills to back it up. Otherwise, you’re a fraud.
You can use these strategies in LOTS of niches, but April is a VA and I’m an Online Business Manager, so obviously, the instructions below are bent in that direction.
Alright, ready?
Step One – Find a Wingman
Yep. Find a partner you can do this with. Even better if you don’t have the exact same skillset, but complimentary ones. You’ll be each other’s eyes and ears.
Step Two – Sync Your Stalking
Figure out when each of you will be going through threads in groups. You have to do this every single day. Possibly multiple times a day if you’re hard up for work. With your partner, you can cover more of the day because you’ll alternate.
Step Three – Answer Threads
While lots of coaches and strategists tell you to post, post, post, April and I both simply answer, answer, answer. You know the posts I’m talking about. The people who write mammoth blog posts and attach a picture at the end. It’s not bad, but it’s a different strategy. If you’re looking for work, answering is a WAY better way to go than posting a long status update. Think of it this way – it’s the difference between shouting your message, and listening to someone else’s problem. Plus, you’re less likely to break the rules of the group (and every group is different).
Step Four – Use the Group Search
If you don’t see anything right at the top, use keywords for your niche and search in the search bar for the particular group.
Step Five – Save the Thread
It’s very simple. Just use the Save Post/Link feature in Facebook if you can’t answer them all right away. Make sure you come back to them. But, here’s my only issue with that…the faster you are, the more likely you are to get the work.
Step Six – Tag Each Other
The point of having a wingman is to look out for jobs that the other person can do. Bonus points when you tag your friend and introduce him/her with a great recommendation.
Step Seven – Have a Kick Ass Elevator Pitch
Don’t just say, “Hey I can do that!” Make it so easy for them to get in touch with you. Put your email right there, invite them to PM you, and attach your website if it’s applicable. And don’t just link to the homepage if it’ll force them to search for your info. Link right to your pricing page.
Step Eight – Comment without Pitching
If you have even a little bit of knowledge about a conversation, just offer value. Try to say something DIFFERENT than what’s being said. You’d be surprised who’s watching.
Step Nine – Read Between the Lines
Lots of people will ask for something, but that’s not what they mean. For example, I saw someone who was asking for a brilliant Google Webmaster Tools expert (which I’m not). But upon further questioning, what she actually needed was someone to help her check to see if her site was indexed. People love to be asked questions, so go deeper. If I’d passed it up, I wouldn’t have gotten the work.
Step Ten – Follow Up
Save those links, and if you don’t hear back, add another comment several days later (unless they said they’ve found someone). And..if you started a PM conversation, MAKE SURE you touch base again..and again..and again…until you hear a firm No.
Now, there are a few pieces missing here…
From a tech perspective, you need to make sure your Facebook profile is optimized for your business and your website is ready for the “link in comments”. Nothing worse than linking to your site and it shows some dumb picture that isn’t reflective of you.
Next, you need to be crystal clear on your target market and where they are. Some groups will be gold mines. Others will be a waste of time. If this is something you struggle with, having a pow-wow with a strategist is the definite way to go. Surprisingly, this is usually the part that people spend the least amount of time on, and it’s the most important part!
I also see aspiring VA’s simply join VA groups. That’s fine for networking, but other VA’s aren’t your target client!
You should have multiple responses carefully written and saved. I almost never respond off the cuff. I’ve done research on the types of responses that get answered, and have taken the time to fine-tune them.
You’ll need to learn how to leverage groups even when you can’t pitch or promote at all. It takes some strategy and careful copy, but you can get business even when there’s no opportunity to offer your email address or provide any kind of link.
Alrighty, so here’s where we’re going with this. I’m getting ready to launch a course with superstar VA coach Madelaine Corke called Create Your Laptop Life and to get ready for that, we’re doing a webinar on Monday afternoon at 1pm called Top Mistakes New Freelancers and VA’s Make. The workshop is [FREE] and we’re tackling 8 of the top mistakes we see or that we ourselves have done.
For those that attend live, we’re going to offer early-bird access to the VA Startup Course, PLUS the opportunity to have a strategy session with Madelaine and I. That’s TWO strategies sessions for free. But you have to attend the workshop!
She and I have complimentary skills, so this is a Wam-Bam-Thank-You-M’am offer.
If you are having a hard time getting work, this course and strategy is exactly what you need. It’s for VA’s of all types – executive, admin, and technical. And if you are a designer or want to be, this is going to be for you too.
See you there!
*I want to give a shout out to April Lewis, who has done great work for me, helped me write this post, and also, has some serious hustle!
ONE LAST THING! Are you a Freelancer or VA?
Join the Facebook group I started with Madelaine. It’s bad ass.