Ditch the “Open to Work” Banner—People (including Employers & High-Ticket Clients) — Want What They Can’t Have

The moment you slap an “Open to Work” banner on your profile, you shift the power dynamic.

The Harsh Truth: People Want What They Can’t Have — including Employers & High-ticket clients

For many job seekers, that green “Open to Work” banner on LinkedIn feels like the smart move. It signals availability and tells potential clients or employers that they can reach out. But if you’re a Virtual Assistant, Freelancer, or Service Provider—that banner is working against you.

🚫 Instead of looking like a high-value service provider, you look like an applicant, waiting for opportunities.

🚫 Instead of positioning yourself as a strategic partner, you position yourself as a contractor-for-hire.

🚫 Instead of attracting premium clients, you’re attracting lowball offers and people looking for cheap labor.

And let’s be real—clients looking for the best talent aren’t filtering for “Open to Work” candidates.

They’re looking for leaders, authorities, and experts in their field.

The Perception Problem: Do You Look Like an Employee or a Business Owner?

As a Virtual Assistant, you are not an employee—you are a business.

🔹 A business showcases its expertise, builds authority, and attracts high-quality clients.

🔹 An employee waits to be chosen.

When you present yourself as “Open to Work,” you unintentionally send the message that you are:

❌ Desperate for work

❌ Available to anyone who will take you

❌ A generalist, not a specialist

Premium clients aren’t looking for someone who is just “open” to work—they’re looking for someone who is in-demand.

How to Attract Clients Without an “Open to Work” Banner

Instead of relying on a passive signal, build a proactive presence on LinkedIn that does the heavy lifting for you.

✅ Optimize Your Headline

Your LinkedIn headline should be clear, confident, and outcome-driven.

🚫 Wrong: “Virtual Assistant | Open to Work”

✅ Right: “Helping Business Owners Streamline Operations & Scale with High-Impact VA Support”

✅ Create a Strong About Section

Instead of listing your skills, tell your ideal client exactly why they need you.

🚫 Wrong: “I’m looking for opportunities in administrative support and project management.”

✅ Right: “I help CEOs and business owners take back their time by optimizing their workflows, managing high-stakes projects, and ensuring their business runs smoothly without them being in the weeds.”

✅ Engage Like a Thought Leader

🔹 Comment strategically on posts from business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs.

🔹 Post valuable content about how you help businesses grow.

🔹 Share client wins, case studies, and proof that working with you gets results.

✅ Let Your Profile Do the Talking

Make it clear that you are selective about who you work with.

🚀 Example CTA (Call to Action) in Your About Section:

📌 “I work with high-level entrepreneurs who want to scale without being buried in admin work. If that sounds like you, let’s talk: [Insert contact link].”

The key is to look like someone who doesn’t need clients—because that’s what attracts them.

Final Thoughts: Positioning Over Desperation

If you’re a Virtual Assistant, Freelancer, or Service Provider, your success depends on how you position yourself.

💡 Clients don’t hire VAs because they feel bad that they need work.

💡 They hire because they see you as a solution to their biggest problems.

So instead of telling the world you need work, show the world why you’re the best at what you do.

👉 Ditch the "Open to Work" banner. Own your expertise. Let clients chase you.