Gina Horkey has come highly recommended by a number of listeners, and I’ve seen her work what seems like “all over the Internet” for the past couple years so I’m excited to finally connect and bring her on the show.
She’s a freelance writer extraordinaire, but also a virtual assistant, and someone who now helps others follow in her footsteps.
Gina successfully built her freelance writing and virtual assistant business to be earning several thousand dollars a month; enough to quit her day job and go full-time.
In this call, we chat pinpointing a service you can offer, finding your first clients, pricing your services, and growing the business and expanding into more time-leveraged income streams.
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Learn:
- The random way Gina decided to start her freelancing business.
- How she landed her first client.
- The “job board” strategy and her accidental Elance hack.
- How she prices her services.
- Her cold pitch tactics to reach new customers.
- How she’s grown her own audience and the new side income stream that isn’t directly tied to her time.
- Gina’s #1 tip for Side Hustle Nation.
Links:
- HorkeyHandbook.com
- Gina’s free freelancer course (now a detailed free blog post)
- Gina’s premium freelance writing course
- Gina’s Client Pitch post
- ProBlogger
- Journalism Jobs
- Craigslist
- Upwork (formerly Elance)
- Paid to Blog
- Contena Pro (Use coupon code Sidehustle15 for 15% off any membership!)
Related:
I recorded this session with Melinda Chen from WomenMakingBigSales.com. She shares some additional insights on why and how to target large companies as a solo entrepreneur.
Download the Free PDF "Highlight Reel" from this Episode
With all of my guest's top tips and resources included.
Enter your email to access it now:
You'll also receive my best side hustle tips and weekly-ish newsletter. Opt-out anytime.
Hey Nick, great to hear Gina’s story. Even if someone isn’t into writing there are lots of lessons to be learned here.
Damn, I was chatty that day. ;-) Thanks so much for having me Nick!
Marketing yourself effectively is key when you’re a freelancer. When you market correctly your side hustle can really bring you the best income because you work on your own time. The key to successful marketing is to do it often! Thank you for this great info, Gina.
You bet Robert – thanks for listening and chiming in!
Thanks, I was looking into doing some free lance work. Almost gave up on it because the offers are too cheap. Just downloaded Gina’s book, hoping it will help.
Hope you enjoy it Moshe!
Awesome stuff Gina, great to listen to another DYFC member share her insights!
Looking forward to hearing more!
Appreciate you taking the time to listen and share in the FB group Liam!!
Great interview guys, thanks for sharing a tonne of value! My wife and I would like to take 6 months off next year to travel. I’m going to try and do my own productivity coaching to help support the travel, but I think working as a VA would be a great way for my wife to keep busy as well. She’s also keen on research. Gina, do you think there’s an opportunity to become a VA within the research niche? e.g. helping startups with product or industry research. Or looking at research within the fast moving consumer goods industry…
Totally Paul – research is hugely needed in the VA industry. Thanks for listening and feel free to check out my free, 5-day VA email course: https://horkeyhandbook.com/freevacourse
Great interview Nick. Gina has really changed my view on freelance writing. Thanks Gina.
So sweet – thanks Rene!
Great interview Nick with Gina. I’m fairly new to the Side Hustle Nation family, 3 months or more now, and reading, researching, etc. on VA side hustle for myself. I’m an experienced paralegal & legal assistant with some previous medical background. I am strongly considering VA as a side hustle with my goal pushing to become full time from home. My question(s) for Gina or yourself, would be where and how’s the best place to quick start my side hustle? Also is there a need as a VA with my backgrounds? I have just downloaded Gina’s book. I’m also interested in her course on VA. Any other tips to jump start me in the right direction?