A lot of microfounders work on their SaaS and I see that it can take quite some time to find customers and reach the initial $3k or $5k or $10k MRR.
I think, for a lot of microfounders, it can be very useful to offer some kind of service during the time they grow their SaaS – a nice way to make money with their knowledge.
How did you came up with the idea to offer virtual assistant help for indie hackers (or microfounders as I call them)?
Lydia
Thank you so much, really appreciate being featured!
Before starting my own Virtual assistant business, I was a Project Manager in London. I love planning, organisation and helping people but I wasn’t satisfied in the role I was in. So I decided to go off on my own! I wanted to be my own boss, take risks and create my own schedule.
After many conversations with lots of different people, I realised it was extremely important to ‘niche’ down. I’d previously worked with start-ups and founders and loved it. Working with self starters and people taking risks to do and create exactly what they want is amazing. Life’s too short!
I’m also extremely fortunate to be surrounded by self starters/entrepreneurs and indie hackers and realised there was a gap in the market for a VA for this group and that’s when it clicked. That’s when I became the Virtual Assistant for Indie Hackers.
MicroFounder
How do you find customers?
Lydia
Finding customers is a bit of an art form! There are a few different ingredients that I’ve used to help me get clients through the door. Here they are:
- Embed yourself in the community you are targeting, understand the problems that they are facing, familiarise yourself with terminology etc
- Don’t always be selling! Share insights and experiences and show your value in different ways
- Pick your platform. I use Twitter and it’s been an amazing place for meeting people and understanding different communities! So far I’ve decided to stick to one social platform as I don’t want to commit to too many platforms and not do them justice.
MicroFounder
You help founders free up their time – can you give a few examples of what are you helping them with?
Lydia
There’s so many ways I help my clients save time. It ranges from keeping them accountable and on track, to creating content, inputting data and administrative support (and lots more!). I take tasks off of their list, so they can focus on what’s really important.
MicroFounder
What's your advice for others who want to get started with their online service business (like virtual assistant, but could be also programming or marketing or whatever – depending on what this person is good at)
Lydia
1. Know your niche. Have an idea of who you want to help + focus on them at the beginning, once you've got a hang of everything you can widen your net.
2. Define your skills. Pick a few skills you're confident in and focus on them.
3. Patience is key! This is a struggle. I just want to see results straight away and unfortunately it doesn't work like that!
4. Support where you can. Even if it's just offering your thoughts to someone's tweet. Show that you're willing to help!
A lot of microfounders work on their SaaS and I see that it can take quite some time to find customers and reach the initial $3k or $5k or $10k MRR.
I think, for a lot of microfounders, it can be very useful to offer some kind of service during the time they grow their SaaS – a nice way to make money with their knowledge.
How did you came up with the idea to offer virtual assistant help for indie hackers (or microfounders as I call them)?