I am ready to through in the towel. I still only have one client who really can't afford my services. I have no new requests and have run out of marketing ideas.

I feel like I should just jump ship!

Lisap, hang in there girl. I know what your going through, I've been there! I thought I was all out of ideas as well but when I did my research I had to come out of my comfort zone and go creative. I also did alot of face to face networking, that really helped. I dont know how long you been in this but it takes time, work and investment.....but the difference is its for you not some boss. Think outside the box, get your second wind and get right back on the horse. I am here if you need to chat anytime with whatever I have to offer. BE ENCOURAGED!

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Mary Harris

Don't give up! Think positive and make sure you are marketing yourself properly. Have you kept in contact with your old work colleagues? Are any of them in the type of business that could use a VA? What about friends and family - do they all have a few business cards to hand out to their contacts? Have you got a web presence and advertisements? Don't just mention your career once and then expect people to remember - keep in touch and be 'front of mind'. If you have a FaceBook/Twitter account mention what you are up to even if it is learning new programs. You can do it - you just need to be confident and positive and feel that you are a winner and it will happen. Keep smiling and be positive!

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Marie Chandler - your virtual assistant
www.officesupportonline.com.au

How much networking are you doing Lisa? It needs to be regular and I would say from the sound of things, every single week. Don't let up, even when you do get work.

And I don't just mean networking online. I mean locally - get outside your four walls and go and meet people. That's what did it for me and when I let things slide a few years back and workload dropped it was because my networking had too. Consistent networking will bring in work - but it usually takes a good 3-6 months of consistent effort.

The other thing is, come up with a campaign plan. Create a different advertisement for every day. Come up with different titles for each advertisement. Put them on every single free advertising place online, such as Craig's List.

Connect here with your peers on VAF. You don't have many posts, so that tells me you are not connecting with VAF members who could use your advice, giving advice and creating friendships on VAF can lead you to connecting with new clients.

For instance if I see a VAF member that gives advice on, say HTML, and some one calls me for HTML help, I will forward that information on to that person.

Keep networking in your niche area. Are you on LinkedIn? If you are, have you joined any groups and given advice there? Show off your skills to others by doing these simple things.

Best wishes!
Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

The other thing is, come up with a campaign plan. Create a different advertisement for every day. Come up with different titles for each advertisement. Put them on every single free advertising place online, such as Craig's List.

Connect here with your peers on VAF. You don't have many posts, so that tells me you are not connecting with VAF members who could use your advice. Giving advice and creating friendships on VAF can lead you to connecting with new clients.

For instance if I see a VAF member that gives advice on, say HTML, and some one calls me for HTML help, I will forward that information on to that person.

Keep networking in your niche area. Are you on LinkedIn? If you are, have you joined any groups and given advice there? Show off your skills to others by doing these simple things.

Best wishes!
Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Hi Lisa,

You've been given some great advice about what else you can do to ramp up your marketing, but I just wanted to sympathize. Any of us that have been in the VA business for any amount of time have all gotten discouraged at times. It is part and parcel of the ups and downs that come with being an entrepreneur. I know that doesn't help you get clients any faster, but knowing that others before have been in the exact same boat sometimes makes us feel a bit better.

I wish you luck with your VA business and hope you continue on, all the best

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Lisa, I have been exactly where you are, the bills need to get paid and after a couple of months of not getting anything other than a project or two you start to wonder. Let me tell you that it will happen if you don't give up! I have two project clients, two potential contract/retainer clients and an organization consultation all from one weekly networking group.

Another recommendation is to volunteer your services. I volunteered to be the secretary to my networking groups and I have also volunteered at my son's Hockey Asssociation as well. This will get your name out there which in turn will bring in the business.

Good luck, remember it will happen!

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.

Also, remember what time of year it is. Things can get a little hinky around the holidays. A lot of people's budgets are running down as we get closer to year end but really pick up after the New Year. But, this can also be a good time to pitch in and help business owners who are feeling the pressure trying to balance family and clients. I don't know what your specialty is, but maybe you can try to put a holiday slant on it and market it locally (and online). Someone who is feeling the stress of the holidays but never even considered hiring someone to help out for a little bit might see one of your ads and it hits them at just the right time. If nothing else, you may get some seasonal work and, if you wow them, they will keep you in mind when they need help after the holidays and refer you to all of their friends/family/collegues. Think positive

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

I agree, don't give up. I am also new at this and working very hard at my business. I currently work full time every day and spend most of my free time in the evenings and weekends, on the internet, placing ads all over the show. We have to stay positive. Some VA's say it can take a week or a year - but sooner or later we have to get business.

Good luck - I am sure something will come your way soon.

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Sandra van Statten
http://www.virtuallyassist.co.za