Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

DR Business Connection · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2011

What have you found to be most successfully in helping you build your business and gain clients?

Excellence · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2011

You can find clients online (virtually) or locally.

Locally
I found that is extremely useful to promote with flyers, mail and advertising. There is a big demand for assistants and secretarial work, although locally people are not acquainted with the term "Virtual Assistant" but once they understand it, they realize how helpful it is. Not everyone (locally) can hire an employee or an on-site person but many people need this type of work.

Online
1- Having a great website (clean and direct)
2- A great blog and blogging daily informing your clients and the general public of news and your expertise.

Hope this helped!

lacombe · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2011

This is so true.

You can network locally to become a part of the business community in your town (Chamber of Commerce and any other groups that are networking groups).

Online - a well-designed website is a must, and a blog is fantastic.

Online presence is a big deal:
1. Write articles
2. Social Media - the big 3 - Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter
3. Forums - the fact that you are here, participating and networking with these fine people is very important

Network, Network, Network - wherever you go, be sure to have business cards and hand them out. You just never know when someone will say "Hey, wait a minute, I met a person who did this, didn't she give me her card?"

You just never know who will become a client. I guess the important thing is to not be timid and remember that you are your business and promoting it every second of every day.

#4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2011

k guys i have done facebook ads opened a twitter account for my business and a linkid account too also have advertised it on google and well going to do a press realease soon what else can i do to get clients just started it last wed and i have my own website too.

alter3go108 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011

In our case since we are based in the Philippines and our market centers on US and Canada because we offer "all in package" ( you can check this is our website), we do send proposals in emails and try to make a follow up.

Recently, we also initiated a referral scheme. We are giving away $100 for every successful referral and $50 monthly thereafter as long as the client continues availing our services.

leedrozak · #6 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011

Some great advice here so I will just add that consistency is the key. You need to make time for marketing daily in order for it to pay off. When I first began I went to many functions, joined key groups and was active in forums and community rooms.

My continuing business is mostly based on referral however I am now getting found on my website too. I review and update my site regularly to keep the content fresh and reflect my evolution as a business owner.

Side note: I have never used adwords, SM ads or any keyword paid marketing. My two biggest online referral sources are VAF and LinkedIn.

Jackie · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011

Networking - is there any events in your area that you can attend, meet people, spread the word? this is probably one of the most important factors.
Your website/your brand - build up a brand image..communicate this through your website, have a tag line, make yourself stand out.
Article & blog writing - writing informative articles will show just how much of an expert you are in the field :-)
Referrals - if you impress your clients enough, they might just reccommend you to someone they know

All in all, create a 'buzz' around you and your service/brand - socialise, network, participate in discussions (like this forum, facebook, twitter) and inform others (articles, blogs, etc).
Hope this helps, I know it's easier said than done but you will get there!
If you have the budget - look at PPC (Adwords).

Your Virtual Wizard · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011

I'm in agreement with Sandra and Lee...consistent online presence is key.

Referrals from other virtual assistants (I've just sent out two referrals to other VAs this week just from knowing them from VAF) is one option as well.

Just posting regularly every where you can add value is ideal. That may mean commenting someone else's blog post or volunteering to guest post for someone else.

Most of my clients come from referrals now but my initial clients came from just being visible, consistently networking and providing information as needed.

I receive several inquiries just from being helpful....just by explaining to someone how to do something has brought me several inquiries.

Janine

dmages · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2011

I'm aiming at online only. Social media is great for spreading the word. I've gotten all my clients through word of mouth. Just doing a great job helps a ton!