How to Start Working With Your First VA Client
Apr 13, 2026
Building your VA Business is exciting!
Getting your first VA client is exciting…
But how do you actually start working with them???
Ahhh I remember how nervous I was with my first VA client. And I'm sure you're feeling it too.
Questions are popping up like:
- What do you say?
- What do you do first?
- How do you make a good impression?
The truth is—this doesn’t need to be complicated.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need a simple plan.
So let's dive into how to start working with your first VA client step by step.
Step 1: Confirm Expectations Clearly
Before you do any work, make sure you’re aligned.
You want to clarify:
- What tasks you’re responsible for
- Deadlines or turnaround times
- Preferred communication method
- Working hours / availability
If you skip this step, confusion happens fast.
And confusion leads to stress—for both you and your client.
So just make sure you have clarity around expectations before getting started. This prevents problems and misunderstandings.
You definitely don't want to spend 10 hours working on the wrong thing because you forgot to ask a clarifying question.
Step 2: Set Up Your Communication Rhythm
One of the best things you can do as a new VA is be consistent.
Decide:
- Will you send daily updates?
- Weekly check-ins?
- End-of-task summaries?
Even something simple like:
“Hey! Just wanted to send a quick update on what I completed this week…”
This builds trust fast. And reassures your client that you are on top of things.
Because maybe they've worked with a different VA before. A VA who didn't communicate. Who didn't do the work. Who just ghosted them. And right now when you start working with them, they need to know you're not going to do the same thing.
Once they see your consistency over the next month or two, they will see how easy it is to work with you. And they will want to give you even more tasks because they know you'll get it done.
Step 3: Start Small (Don’t Overcomplicate It)
You do NOT need to overhaul their entire business on day one.
Start with:
- 1–2 clearly defined tasks
- Simple wins
- Quick turnarounds
Confidence builds through action—not overthinking.
In fact, most experts don't come into a business and change things at least for 30 days. Because they need to have a good the business and how things are done before making changes to start improving things.
Step 4: Ask Questions (This Makes You Look Better, Not Worse)
New VAs often hesitate to ask questions because they don’t want to look inexperienced.
But here’s the truth:
Asking thoughtful questions = professionalism.
It shows you care about doing things right.
But don't send a new question every 5 minutes. That would drive most of us crazy. Compile all of your questions in one message and send it all at once.
Step 5: Be Reliable Over Being Perfect
Your client is not expecting perfection.
They are looking for:
- Someone who follows through
- Someone who communicates
- Someone they can trust
If you say you’ll do something—do it.
That matters more than anything else.
If you make a mistake, own it. And do what you can to fix it. We're human - we're going to make mistakes. It's ok. What's more important is you learn from the mistake and continue to move forward.
Step 6: Look for Ways to Add Value
Once you settle in, start noticing things like:
- Inefficiencies
- Repetitive tasks
- Opportunities to help
You don’t need to “prove yourself” immediately.
But over time, all of these steps turn that one client into your long-term client.
Starting with your first VA client doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
Focus on:
✔ Clear communication
✔ Small wins
✔ Consistency
That’s how you build confidence—and a sustainable business.
And if you want more support so you're finding the right clients and starting off on the right foot, you can check out my VA Business Owner course here: https://www.va4cc.com/va-for-course-creators-sales-page-info
