Attracting clients: Writing a solid bio to showcase your best VA self

We’ve been calling our world ‘fast paced’ for decades, but never before has the term been more relevant. We drive faster, grow up faster, share information faster, and this has influenced how we share information about ourselves. 

In the case of virtual assistants, attracting clients has some parallels to online dating. Potential clients who review your profile are — to a degree — swiping left or right, with little or no time to delve deeply into what makes you ‘you’. So it’s crucial to make a strong first impression.

A clear, concise, and impactful bio is likely the first thing a potential client will look at and is an essential component in building your online business persona. In this piece we will talk about how to get noticed and recognized as the one — the ONLY — person qualified to join a team, and not get passed over. We’ll talk about how to make an impact with your first impression and how to effectively deliver critical information to your audience. 

What draws attention to your bio?

When writing your bio, always consider your audience. In this case, you’re likely talking to busy people whose brains may be operating at full capacity, and then some. You may be speaking to a goldfish.

Goldfish you ask? The average attention span for the nervous goldfish is nine seconds. Humans? Eight seconds. Eight seconds and decreasing every year, highlighting the effects of an increasingly digitized lifestyle on the brain.

You must grab the most important elements you need your Goldfish to read; the ringers, the punchlines, the words that will stick like algae. This is not the place to talk at length about how your kindergarten teacher influenced you, or how sports/arts/faith/family have brought you to where you are. This is where you focus on keywords that impress and stand out. 

Let’s look at two possible bios that potential clients might review on Virtual Gurus Talentplace:

‘I’ve worked in a variety of industries, and have gotten a lot of experience from those different roles. I’ve become very proficient in Microsoft and Google platforms, and have had opportunities to learn different client management and control systems. I’m a great communicator across all platforms, I love to communicate with new people and learn new things. 

Vs: 

“Experience across several industries has produced a valuable skill set and has confirmed an ability to excel in changing situations. Proficiency in all office management platforms, client and project management control systems as well as accounting software brings proven value to my clients.”

The two are of similar length and basically say the same thing, but which one did you scan, and which one grabbed you? You probably found the second one more compelling. It can take several edits to shave down all that you want to share with the world and be sure it will be read. 

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Some key factors to consider

• Focus on WIIFT – What’s in it for them? Don’t just list out your skills and experiences; also convey how they will be used to help your clients. For example, if you have worked in a few different industries, you might talk about how that has made you adaptable to almost any type of work environment.

• Try to incorporate a unique angle that reflects your background or specialties to help your profile stand out. For example, if you have a background in the energy industry, you could write something about ‘fueling team productivity.’
• Use a Thesaurus, especially if you find yourself repeating any words. Variety is the spice of life, and of any written content, bios included.
• Read your bio out loud, think about the parts of you that will grab someone’s attention and choose you to join their team.
• Avoid overused phrases. Every. Single. Person says something like this;

1. Works well under pressure
2. Works well with a team or independently
3. Enjoys a challenge
4. Excellent communication skills

Don’t be that person. Find a more unique turn of phrase.

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Finally, always check your spelling and grammar! Nothing spells ‘unprofessional’ like a series of typos.

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To learn more strategies for attracting clients as a virtual assistant, check out these courses offered through the Virtual Gurus Academy.