BFF · Blueprint · Launch · Lesson 13
Launch · Box 14 · SMM Core Training

Getting Hired Fast

"Action Taker." Those two words can move you out of the applicant pile.

Length: 17 minutes For: Anyone with skills but stuck in "still studying" mode Updated: 2026-05-15 (v2) Replaces: 2019 video lesson

"I have been studying for 6 months. I still do not have a client. What should I do?"

Common question from new BFF learners

Friend, the issue is not always lack of study. The missing piece is application. ACTION TAKER is the phrase that should describe a great BFF student. It is good to read and watch video lessons but the success happens when we make our ideas and learning into action. Today we will walk through the jump from "learner" to "applicant."

The wrong question vs the right question

Wrong question: "What skill do I still need to study before applying?"

Better question: "Do I already have enough skill to sell to a first client, even if it is not perfect yet?"

The answer is almost always "yes." A 60-70% skill level is already enough for entry-level VA work. 100% perfection is not attainable. There is no magic trick. YOU NEED TO DO THE WORK. But the "work" is not more studying. The "work" is application + interview + first month.

The 5 action-taker behaviors that get hired fast

BehaviorWhat it looks like in practice
1. Volume + targeting5-10 quality applications per day, not 1 perfect application per week. Apply consistently.
2. Build proof while applyingDon't wait for paid client to start portfolio. Mock projects, volunteer work, free pilots all count.
3. Custom every applicationEach cover letter 60% template + 40% client-specific. Read their site, mention 1 specific thing.
4. Reply within 12 hoursWhen client replies, you reply same day. The fast-replier wins, not necessarily the deepest CV.
5. Send Loom videos for outreach2-minute personalized video > 2-page cover letter. Stands out in inbox of 200 applicants.
The one platform at a time rule

Study and explore on one platform at a time! If SMM is your path, focus on Instagram for 30 days. Then Facebook for 30 days. Then LinkedIn for 30 days. Not 5 platforms in parallel. Depth beats breadth.

My fastest hire, a mentee case study

Janelle, BFF mentee, 2025

Archetype
Corporate Transitioner (5 years BPO Customer Support)
Day 1 commit
Setup OnlineJobs.ph + Upwork. Took aptitude tests.
Days 2-7
Applied to 30 customer support roles. 24 hrs reply discipline.
Day 12
First interview. US-based startup. Sent Loom intro before call.
Day 15
Hired. ₱45K/month retainer. Start date Day 20.
Why she won
Replied within 4 hours. Sent custom Loom. Matched timezone. Verified tools knowledge.
The honest moment

Janelle was not the most experienced applicant. Some applicants had 10 years of BPO experience. But she was the action taker. Others replied after three days. Others did not send a portfolio link. Janelle showed up with the complete package in her first reply.

The warning about perfection paralysis

The "I'll apply when I'm ready" trap

"I need three more courses before I apply" can become a protective story. It feels comfortable because it keeps you away from rejection. But six months later, you may still be in the same place. Apply with what you have today. Learn from the rejections. Iterate.

Practice. 30-day Action Taker challenge. Setup now.

  1. Open your Trello board. Title: "30-Day Action Taker Challenge."
  2. Daily commitment: 5 applications per weekday. 25/week. 100 in 30 days.
  3. For every application:
    • Read job description 2x
    • Customize cover letter (3 sentences specific to them)
    • Attach shareable resume link
    • If high-value role: send Loom intro
    • Mark "Sent" in Trello + log datetime
  4. Daily 12-hour reply rule. When client replies, you reply same day.
  5. Track funnel weekly: Apps Sent → Replies → Interviews → Offers.
  6. 30-day expected outcome: 100 apps → 10-20 replies → 3-5 interviews → 1-2 offers.

Action items, based on your archetype

🌟 The Polished Freelancer~25% · proceed ~80%

Already an action-taker. Focus on quality bidding + retainer conversion.

Do this week
  1. 3 high-quality applications per day, not 10. Senior level = more depth per app.
  2. Send Loom intro for every $1000+/month opportunity. Differentiate yourself.
  3. Follow up after 5 days if no reply. Senior freelancers follow up. Junior ones don't.
💼 The Corporate Transitioner~30% · proceed ~60%

Disciplined. Easiest archetype to execute the 30-day challenge.

Do this week
  1. 5 customer support / admin applications per day. Familiar territory.
  2. Highlight night-shift availability + BPO tenure. Specific differentiators.
  3. Send Loom for any role > ₱30K/month. Sound + look professional via video.
🎨 The Creative Specialist~15% · proceed ~70%

Portfolio is your action-taking proof.

Do this week
  1. 5 applications per day for creative roles. Each with portfolio link prominent.
  2. Send Loom walkthrough of your portfolio. 90-second tour of best 3 pieces.
  3. Pitch unsolicited spec work. "I redesigned your IG profile, here's the mockup" stands out.
🛒 The Solo Entrepreneur~15% · proceed ~55%

Action-orientation is natural. Channel toward applications.

Do this week
  1. Cold-pitch to e-commerce store owners on LinkedIn. Direct outreach > platform bidding.
  2. Send Loom showing your shop's IG growth as proof. "I did this for my own business, I can do this for yours."
  3. 5 platform applications + 3 direct outreaches daily. Hybrid funnel.
📋 The Generalist Admin~10% · proceed ~50%

Methodical. Will execute the 30-day plan reliably.

Do this week
  1. 5 wedge-aligned applications per day. Bookkeeping → bookkeeping. Inbox → inbox.
  2. Quote monthly retainer rates. Stand out from hourly bidders.
  3. Track funnel diligently in Trello. Use your admin skill for the job hunt.
🌱 The Fresh Starter~5% · proceed ~30%

Hardest archetype to execute volume. Quality first.

Do this week
  1. 3 applications per day, not 5. Per app, more time on customization. Avoid overwhelming yourself.
  2. Apply only to Newbie Friendly tab. Don't waste energy on senior roles.
  3. Complete 1 free course in parallel with applications. Skill + applying simultaneously.

Checkpoint. Show proof that you used the lesson.

Postable artifact

Post this in BFF Facebook Group (Work At Home Geek):

  1. Day 1 commitment post. "Archetype: ___. 30-Day Action Taker challenge starts: [date]. Daily target: ___ applications. End-state goal: 1 client offer."
  2. Day 30 results post. Apps: ___ · Replies: ___ · Interviews: ___ · Offers: ___. Public accountability creates a built-in retention loop.

Community + next step

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Personal Branding
Box 15 · Launch · Your reputation
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Hold steady, BFF Team. We keep going together.

– Lala