I have found it helpful to make a list of marketing options and see which ones might work the best for you.

I am also new at this and sending out postcards to small local businesses is in my plans as well as sending out letters to other VA businesses for subcontracting possibilities. I have sent out emails to other VAs also for subcontracting possibilities and usually get a response that they will keep my info on hand for the future but never have heard from anyone on that. I am not good at networking meetings but I found a local VA meetup that I plan to go to.

Like alot of us, I am also just starting out. I look for potential clients on ODesk (yeah, I know), Craigs List and various other job boards. I also do searches on my competitors to see where their names come up. Sometimes I could find some places where they post to look fo work.

@wpanddesign, I stopped in at a local BNI group and I was very nervous! Even though I believe in my business and my capabilities, and even though I had years of public speaking and acting training, I was scared to DEATH when I had to stand up and talk about my business! I took a deep breath and tried not to talk too fast. I am very passionate about what I do and know that the services I provide are useful and necessary. It's nerve wracking, but face to face networking is so valuable. Nothing replaces human interaction. When someone hears what you can do directly from you, the person who provides the service, it's more impactful than surfing to a website. People need a face to go with the social network. I'd say go to some networking meeting and believe in your right to be there. You'll do fine.

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&rea and Associates, LLC
"Dedicated to Helping Small Businesses Compete"

@dresummers: I went to meetup.com and found a really great BNI group! I went directly to the BNI website and was a little intimidated. But this group seems much more relaxed and easygoing. Thanks for the tip! I would not have found them if it wasn't for meetup.com!

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&rea and Associates, LLC
"Dedicated to Helping Small Businesses Compete"

Meetup is a great idea! Melanie and I have attended a few networking groups and people get so excited when we say we are Virtual Assistants because half the time they have no idea what we are, so they LISTEN which is great!

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Lauren & Melanie - VaVa Virtual Assistants www.VaVaVirtual.com

I'm relatively new to this as well. I just started a postcard and letter campaign. I am sending out postcards several weeks apart and then a letter with a brochure/business cards several weeks after that. I am not good at networking meetings. I am trying to get more involved in LinkedIn groups and this and other online forums to see if networking can happen there.

Networking doesn't just have to be in person. Social Media is a great way to get your name out there. The postcard idea sounds great too. The best thing is to get involved with groups, talk about the services you provide and be a good listener to the issues that people are having so that you can come to their rescue!

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Lauren & Melanie - VaVa Virtual Assistants www.VaVaVirtual.com

The postcards campaign sounds like a great idea- I am still getting my business together and searching for my FIRST client

I am doing a marketing campaign mailing out postcards and letters to small businesses in my area. I also plan on sending letters to other VAs for subcontracting jobs. I got one client through VA4U site where you can create a profile. It's free. I have profiles on some other VA sites but have not gotten any business from them. I don't like going to networking meetings but recently found a VA meetup group in my area that I just started going to so hopefully that will elicit some referrals. It takes a lot of work and one has to be diligent and patient but I am hopeful business will come.