You’re stepping into an exciting chapter—becoming your own boss as a freelance assistant, virtual assistant, or Online Business Manager. Whether you work remotely or on-site with clients, your first 100 days are crucial for laying the foundation of your business.
If this is your first time diving into the world of freelancing, don’t worry. We’ll walk through clear, actionable steps to help you get started with confidence, whether you’re meeting clients face-to-face or working from your home office.
The goal? To feel empowered, prepared, and motivated to succeed.
1. Build the Basics: Your Simple Business Plan
Before diving in, get clear on the essentials:
- Who’s your target market? (Small businesses, entrepreneurs, startups)
- What do you offer? (In-person admin support, event coordination, file management)
- What are your rates? (Hourly pricing, travel fees, service packages)
📝 Practical Example:
If you’re working on-site, think about services like calendar management, meeting prep, or front desk support. Even if your business plan isn’t fully polished, jot down one or two key ideas—once you get started, things will become clearer.
2. Create Your First Online Presence
Even if most of your work is in-person, your digital presence is your business card. A simple website and an active LinkedIn profile help potential clients find you and understand what you do—even when you’re not behind your screen.
💡 Tip:
Already on LinkedIn? Take 10 minutes today to update your profile with a clear description of your services.
3. Understand Your Market: Who Do You Want to Help?
Your business should start with one powerful question: Who do I truly want to help?
You might assume what your clients need—but the best insights come from real conversations. A solo entrepreneur will have different needs than a small but growing business.
💬 Practical Exercise:
Reach out to a freelancer or local business owner and ask:
“What’s one task you’d love to delegate?”
These short exchanges can spark big clarity about your offer.
4. Develop Your Offer: What Makes You Stand Out?
If you’re on-site, your adaptability and discretion are powerful assets. Think about how to embed those qualities into your offer.
✨ Example:
You could offer temporary support during busy periods like tax season, audits, or major events.
Pick three things you’re excellent at, and highlight one in your services. The more you focus on your strengths, the more aligned clients you’ll attract.
5. Start Networking from Day One
When you’re working in the field, every interaction counts. Each client can refer you to others. Every event or meeting is a chance to build relationships.
🔗 Quick Win:
Comment on a LinkedIn post today, or message someone who inspires you. One connection could lead to your next opportunity.
6. Build Your Marketing Strategy Without Overwhelm
Marketing doesn’t need to be complex to be effective. Focus on word-of-mouth, referrals, and consistency.
📣 Example:
Ask satisfied clients to refer you to their network—or post a helpful tip on LinkedIn that shows your expertise.
7. Set Up a Simple Sales Process
When new leads appear, you want to respond quickly and confidently.
📋 Action Step:
Customize a ready-to-send quote template or create a short, friendly email you can personalize when opportunities come up.
8. Track and Adjust as You Go
One big advantage of working closely with clients? Instant feedback.
Every Friday, jot down what worked well that week. What did clients appreciate? Where can you improve? Small, regular reviews help you course-correct without stress.
9. Your First Week: The Action Plan
Even without clients, week one is about building momentum and showing up.
Here’s a day-by-day guide:
Monday – Market Discovery
- List 5–10 businesses or freelancers to approach.
- Send intro messages asking for a short, informal chat—don’t sell, just listen.
- Write a short email pitch: “I’m a freelance assistant looking to understand how I can bring value to professionals like you. Would you be open to a quick call?”
Tuesday – Explore Conversations
- Schedule and conduct 1–2 exploratory calls.
- Ask questions, listen actively, and note recurring pain points.
- While waiting on responses, share a short LinkedIn post about your journey or what you’re learning.
Wednesday – Refine and Reflect
- Follow up with anyone who hasn’t responded.
- Draft 1–2 service packages based on the feedback you’ve received.
- Publish a helpful tip or insight inspired by your calls.
Thursday – Finalize and Network
- Polish your initial service offer: include clear pricing and formats (on-site, remote, packages).
- Join one online professional group (LinkedIn, Slack, or Facebook).
- Set goals for next week’s outreach.
Friday – Review and Celebrate
- Reflect on what you’ve learned. What themes are emerging?
- Choose 3 concrete goals for next week: more outreach, refining your offer, or creating new content.
- Celebrate your progress. You showed up. That matters.
Conclusion: Build Your Success, One Day at a Time
Launching your own business—whether as a virtual assistant, freelance assistant, or OBM—is filled with both challenges and opportunities. It’s normal to feel uncertain. But every step you take brings you closer to the life and career you’re envisioning.
Don’t try to do everything at once. Small actions, repeated consistently, lead to real success.
Stay flexible. Stay grounded. Stay confident. These first 100 days are your opportunity to learn, grow, and lay a rock-solid foundation.
It’s not just what you do that counts—but how you do it.
If you move forward with care, clarity, and courage, then yes—everything is possible.
So, are you ready to turn your vision into reality?
Start today. Post, write, message—take that small step.
Because every big leap begins with a quiet decision to try.
