How to Find Long-Term Clients as a Filipino Virtual Assistant

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How to Find Long-Term Clients (Not Just One-Time Gigs)

If you're a Filipino virtual assistant tired of jumping from one short-term gig to another, you're not alone. While project-based tasks can help build your experience, long-term clients are the key to financial stability, professional growth, and consistent income.

This guide shares actionable tips to help you attract long-term VA clients, earn their trust, and keep them coming back for more.

1. Focus on Relationship-Building, Not Just Tasks

Clients hire people they like and trust. If you’re always focused only on completing the task, you miss the chance to show your value as a long-term partner.

Try this:

Learn a bit about the client’s business goals

Ask thoughtful questions about how your work contributes to the big picture

Show genuine interest and initiative

Example: Instead of just uploading blog posts, suggest improvements to their content calendar or title structure. Small touches like this make clients see you as essential.

2. Be Clear About Your Availability and Commitment

Many clients want long-term help but worry that VAs will leave after a month. Reassure them upfront about your availability.

Tips:

State clearly that you are open to long-term work

Mention any ongoing training you're doing to grow in your role

Let them know you prefer stable working relationships

Pro tip: Add this info to your proposal or Upwork profile: "Open to part-time or long-term work with clients who need consistent support."

3. Choose the Right Platforms

Some freelance websites focus more on short-term projects, while others support long-term engagements.

Best platforms to find loyal clients:

VA Bear – Verified, pre-screened job listings

OnlineJobs.ph – Many clients look for full-time or long-term hires

LinkedIn – Networking-based hiring often leads to longer-term roles

Facebook groups (like VA jobs PH) – Just be cautious and vet the clients

When applying, highlight your availability and commitment.

4. Specialize in a Niche

Long-term clients want experts who understand their business. By picking a niche (like real estate, eCommerce, or content marketing), you become more valuable and less replaceable.

Examples of niches for long-term VA roles:

Executive Assistance

Podcast Management

Shopify Product Uploading

YouTube Channel Admin

Social Media Management

Bonus: With niche experience, you can often charge higher rates and attract clients who respect your time.

5. Communicate Like a Pro

Miscommunication is a top reason VAs lose clients. To build trust over time:

Send regular updates (even if they didn’t ask)

Clarify expectations at the start of each task

Use tools like Slack, Trello, or Notion to stay organized

Quick tip: End every project update with, "Let me know if you'd like anything adjusted or improved." Clients will love your proactive tone.

6. Deliver More Than Expected

Reliability and small over-deliveries lead to client loyalty.

Easy ways to stand out:

Finish tasks before the deadline

Catch and fix small errors they didn’t see

Suggest tools or systems that make their workflow smoother

One loyal client is worth five one-time projects. Treat every task like a trial run for a long-term partnership.

7. Ask for Ongoing Work the Right Way

Once a short-term project ends, don’t disappear. If the working relationship went well, politely ask about longer-term opportunities.

Script example:

Hi [Client Name], I really enjoyed working on [Project]. If you need continued help with similar tasks or anything else in your workflow, I’d love to support you long-term. Let me know!

8. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Being friendly is good. Being too casual or inconsistent is not. Long-term clients need to know they can rely on you.

Professionalism includes:

Meeting deadlines

Keeping files organized

Respecting confidentiality

Responding during your agreed work hours

Clients stay with VAs they can trust—not just to do the work, but to represent their brand professionally.

9. Follow Up with Past Clients

Clients forget. Life gets busy. Sometimes, all it takes is a friendly follow-up to get hired again.

Follow-up template:

Hey [Client], just checking in to see how things are going with [past task/project]. If you ever need extra support, I’d love to help out again. Hope all is well!

Follow-ups remind clients you exist, and show initiative.

10. Use VA Bear to Find Long-Term Clients

Instead of constantly applying for gigs, use VA Bear to match with clients looking for loyal, high-quality virtual assistants. It includes:

Verified job listings

Task tracking

Built-in time logging and payroll tools

You can build a sustainable VA career by working with clients who value your time and talents.

Final Thoughts

Finding long-term VA clients takes patience, effort, and strategy. But once you build those relationships, you gain more than steady income—you build confidence, skills, and a reputation that opens doors to better opportunities.

Start small, be consistent, and think long-term. Your future clients will thank you.

VA Interview Tips: How to Impress Foreign Clients and Get Hired

How to Build a Winning VA Resume

How to Get Your First Client as a Virtual Assistant

👉 Want long-term clients to find you? Join VA Bear and start applying for verified jobs today.

How to Find Long-Term Clients (Not Just One-Time Gigs)

How to Find Long-Term Clients (Not Just One-Time Gigs)

1. Focus on Relationship-Building, Not Just Tasks