Where are you actually finding clients in 2026?

[PetalandPineVA]

I'm finding mostly through referral but feel like that only goes so far. I'm on LinkedIn and Instagram but unless you have a lot of followers you don't really get clients from it. Haven't been able to find any Facebook groups that aren't full of spam.

I'm about to take the step to becoming a full-time VA but when it comes to taking on new clients I feel a bit stuck on where to look for the people that want and need my help.

What's working for everyone, any advice?!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Modern marketing coaches you that you should use SM but this is not the answer for every business

None of the customer’s for our business would ever look for a Sameday Courier on IG , Facebook or tiktok

 

[Mark T Jones]

A VA in any specific field?

Local networking can he productive if you are a generalist, otherwise you need to seek out groups (real or virtual) focusing on your discipline

Also, before clear on whether you are targeting quality introduction or direct business. LinkedIn works well for me through professional introduces but never generate direct leads

 

[JohnDavies145]

I’m finding that the most reliable leads for my consultancy are coming from social proof. Get into specific community groups and Discord servers. People are looking for real-life human opinions and experiences where they can actually verify who they’re talking to. The quality of the enquiries is much higher because the trust is already established.

I actually helped a plumbing company I freelance for get a significant job last month just by keeping an eye on a local community group. Someone was looking for a plumber in the area, so I shared a link to their homepage. The person called the company and cited my comment as the way they heard about them.

I think that being a genuine, local human is the most effective marketing tool in 2026. It goes hand in hand with the shift towards influencer marketing; people don't trust big corporate advertising anymore. Authentic user-generated content and personal recommendations are far more important now than ever before.

 

[PetalandPineVA]

A VA in any specific field?

Local networking can he productive if you are a generalist, otherwise you need to seek out groups (real or virtual) focusing on your discipline

Also, before clear on whether you are targeting quality introduction or direct business. LinkedIn works well for me through professional introduces but never generate direct leads

I am a VA bordering Operations manager duties.

Yes i love human interaction so i am trying to find more of that, but struggling to find spaces that aren't just spammed, or the right place for me at the moment!

If anyone knows any in Surrey or virtually that are good, please share!!

 

[fisicx]

Marketing, marketing and more marketing. Join local SM groups, business networks, Google profiles, mail shots, sponsor events, paid advertising, get out and knock on doors.

Some will work some won’t. Until you try everything you won’t know.

 

[TelesMedia]

is anyone doing telesales anymore?

 

[fisicx]

is anyone doing telesales anymore?

Does it work for you? Are you getting new clients from your telesales marketing?

 

[TelesMedia]

we do but a lot less and doesnt even wash its face past 6 months. think time for me to stop that route and plow more investment into alternative routes to market.

just reading texts, emails, whatsapp, letters all allow people to respond when they have time opposite to a cold call where its immediate attention.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I am a VA bordering Operations manager duties.

Yes i love human interaction so i am trying to find more of that, but struggling to find spaces that aren't just spammed, or the right place for me at the moment!

If anyone knows any in Surrey or virtually that are good, please share!!

I think VAs are approximately number 7 in my league of persistent spammers (SEO is solidly in top spot)

The best way to stand out from them is to demonstrate that you are real, based in the UK and have a specialism.

Aim for one (3 at most) benefits that are specific to your ideal customer - 'save time s pretty dull & generic, why will I want to use YOU?

There are no magic bullets, it takes time and persistence, but defining yourself takes you away from the mass of competition.

As an aside, about 10 years ago I did a lot of research on networking in Surrey (initially Guildford, but spread ) There were an extrordinary number of events. Covid has changed things a bit, but if you start digging you may be surprised...

 

[fisicx]

And reconsider how you sell your services. Businesses don’t want a VA. They want someone to deal with paperwork, phone calls, bookings, orders, staff, wages and everything else that isn’t production.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Does it work for you? Are you getting new clients from your telesales marketing?

Yes but the key to success may not be trainable in most sales people in 2026

 

[StrategyDoctor]

I'm finding mostly through referral but feel like that only goes so far. I'm on LinkedIn and Instagram but unless you have a lot of followers you don't really get clients from it. Haven't been able to find any Facebook groups that aren't full of spam.

I'm about to take the step to becoming a full-time VA but when it comes to taking on new clients I feel a bit stuck on where to look for the people that want and need my help.

What's working for everyone, any advice?!

You’re not stuck — this is normal

You are just in the messy middle where “referrals work” but you haven’t built a repeatable lead flow yet.

A few of the replies above are spot on:

• Social media isn’t automatically the answer (as per @JEREMY HAWKE ). For a VA/ops role, IG followers for example would rarely translate into decision-makers. Treat socials as credibility and visibility, but they may not be your primary lead engine.
• Get specific on who you help (your 'Ideal Customer') and what you actually do (how you 'add value' to their daily life) (as per @Mark T Jones ). “VA / save time” is commoditised. If you’re “VA bordering Ops Manager”, position it that way: is it - systems, inbox + diary + follow-ups, SOPs, light finance admin, supplier coordination, onboarding, project coordination — outcomes a business owner cares about. Then maybe relevant posts on LinkedIn may help.
• Be a real human in real communities (I agree with @JohnDavies145 ). Local groups (and niche online communities) work when you are able contribute properly (and remember don’t pitch, help). Trust comes before the sale.
• Sell the outcome, not the label (as per @fisicx ). Businesses don’t wake up wanting “a VA”. They want the chaos removed: paperwork, bookings, chasing, admin backlogs, team coordination.

If you are posting think about where your Ideal Customer will be and post hints, tips, checklists, guides - but you really want a CTA. If they are interested in what you have posted how do you nurture them along your sales funnel from cold to hot? Perhaps the CTA is to sign up to further tips, and then offers? The challenge is to be at the front of their mind when they have a problem you can solve .........

If you share what industry you want to support (and whether Surrey-only or UK-wide remote), UKBFs may be able to recommend specific groups/events more accurately.

What kind of clients are you aiming for?

 

[PetalandPineVA]

You’re not stuck — this is normal

You are just in the messy middle where “referrals work” but you haven’t built a repeatable lead flow yet.

A few of the replies above are spot on:

• Social media isn’t automatically the answer (as per @JEREMY HAWKE ). For a VA/ops role, IG followers for example would rarely translate into decision-makers. Treat socials as credibility and visibility, but they may not be your primary lead engine.
• Get specific on who you help (your 'Ideal Customer') and what you actually do (how you 'add value' to their daily life) (as per @Mark T Jones ). “VA / save time” is commoditised. If you’re “VA bordering Ops Manager”, position it that way: is it - systems, inbox + diary + follow-ups, SOPs, light finance admin, supplier coordination, onboarding, project coordination — outcomes a business owner cares about. Then maybe relevant posts on LinkedIn may help.
• Be a real human in real communities (I agree with @JohnDavies145 ). Local groups (and niche online communities) work when you are able contribute properly (and remember don’t pitch, help). Trust comes before the sale.
• Sell the outcome, not the label (as per @fisicx ). Businesses don’t wake up wanting “a VA”. They want the chaos removed: paperwork, bookings, chasing, admin backlogs, team coordination.

If you are posting think about where your Ideal Customer will be and post hints, tips, checklists, guides - but you really want a CTA. If they are interested in what you have posted how do you nurture them along your sales funnel from cold to hot? Perhaps the CTA is to sign up to further tips, and then offers? The challenge is to be at the front of their mind when they have a problem you can solve .........

If you share what industry you want to support (and whether Surrey-only or UK-wide remote), UKBFs may be able to recommend specific groups/events more accurately.

What kind of clients are you aiming for?

Thanks for this!
UK-wide Remote, not just Surrey. But i wouldn't mind going to some in person Surrey Events!

I am aiming for Clients that have businesses that help or support others. So i have one client who teaches Sales, a previous client was a coach, potential client is a School trust.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thanks for this!
UK-wide Remote, not just Surrey. But i wouldn't mind going to some in person Surrey Events!

I am aiming for Clients that have businesses that help or support others. So i have one client who teaches Sales, a previous client was a coach, potential client is a School trust.

Mixing with business people can be invaluable - not just to sell product but to get a feel for how they think and how they buy. It's likely you will discover over time, that the problems they feel aren't directly linked to the benefits you think you are offering.

Scholl; Trusts may be an interesting sector and (slightly contradicting the above) a good one for direct marketing.

 

[Paul Norman]

This is going to be sector dependant, but it is a fair question.

For our business (business software) I suspect the most useful things we will do in 2026 will be to attend a trade show, and directly marketing to likely prospects.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Mixing with business people can be invaluable - not just to sell product but to get a feel for how they think and how they buy. It's likely you will discover over time, that the problems they feel aren't directly linked to the benefits you think you are offering.

Scholl; Trusts may be an interesting sector and (slightly contradicting the above) a good one for direct marketing.

This is something that happens naturally especially around here .Outside of business I see a lot of other business owners .
Its easy to draw and to be drawn to like minded people