It does infact take time... The one thing you have to keep in mine, which was stated, you are growing a business and not just looking for a job.
The thing you want to accomplish is long term clients, while handling smaller ones along the way for the experience, referrals, testimonials and etc. It takes some time to gain those long term clients. It will happen. I have been waiting for a while before I got my first client (which feel through but nevertheless). I am now doing some work for my hubby and his business to gain some exposure.

That is another thing I would say, find someone that you know and trust and you can do some freelance work for them to get your name out. There are some people that will do a trade also. That way you can get your name and work out there.

Good luck. Sorry if some of these are repeats.

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Sheena M Cooper, VAA
Sheena's Virtual Solutions

Hi I am in the same boat as you. With working all day it has been hard to market my up and coming business. I am going to my first ever network meeting tomorrow. I have also made up some postcards with my business logo and details on which I am going to put up in the little local newspaper shops.

Have you joined your local commerce centre? Put an advert in your local weekly newspapers?

Good luck
Karen

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http://panachesolutionsltd.co.uk/home.htm

When you're working all day it's hard to network as many networking groups meet somewhere between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Even if you dash out on your lunch hour, after the drive there and back, there is little time to connect with people. The Chamber of Commerce often has after 5 p.m. meetings but, as most of us must be aware of budget, membership can be quite expensive and after 5 p.m. is when, after the commute, we need to feed families, tend to pets, run laundry, help with homework etc.

Take a look at Duct Tape Marketing here http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/. Maybe there are some ideas there you could use.

In my local supermarket (new city) the other day I noticed a community notice board where there were a few cards for service such as cleaning, handyman so I stuck one of my cards on it. I will be making a list of all such supermarkets in the city and take a drive to see where I can put my card. Doesn't cost anything and who knows who might see it - everyone has to eat!

Good luck, you can do it, just takes time and some ingenuiity. When you're used to working in the corporate world for years it takes a long time to learn to "think outside the box" ... I'm still working on that one!

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Hi, I've been dealing with the same issue, and it's officially been 5 months since I've started my business. I have talked to 3 potentials, but still no client yet. One even stated that she would get back in contact with me to handle her press release and getting the word out about her event. The event is tomorrow, but I still haven't heard anything from her. I followed up with her several times. I did have one that wanted to connect on a social site, stating that she would be needing my services in the near future, so hopefully that would work out. I spend many hours on social network sites, posting ads, telling people about my business, passing out my business cards, and sometimes get frustrated and feel like quiting, but I feel that if I quit, I just may miss out on a great opportunity that is just around the corner. I do all of this while still working my 8 hour job during the day which limits the time that I can focus on marketing my business.

Hang in there, and I'm sure that it will happen for the both of us. Good Luck!

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Tina
www.prestigevirtualservices.com

I'm with you all, VAs! We all have to hang in there! I initially sent an email to my friends and family announcing my new website and that I was open for business. I have biz cards and brochures yet to print so that needs to be done first.

I also plan on setting up some type of decal on my car, like a magnet of some sort that displays my name, logo, company website and tag line. Have you thought about doing something like that?

That may be a great way to market yourself. You can even buy magnet sheets at a craft store and print them yourself if you have the tools!

Hang in there...good luck and keep on going! :-)

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

Pam, I have a couple suggestions to get you started ...

Volunteer -- volunteer at local non-profits or, even better, virtually through VolunteerMatch.com. Volunteering is great because, (a) it lets you "practice" on a non-paying client, (b) you help our a worthy cause, (c) you can ask for a rockin' testimonial for your Web site, and a good referral to add to your referral list, and (d) the nonprofit might actually refer some work to you.

Participate -- be very active on this forum and ************. Lots of VAs are looking for subcontractors for a tight deadline or for services they don't offer. If they get to know you through the boards, then they are more likely to sub work out to you.

Introduce yourself -- there are lots of multi-VA groups out there that sub out all their work. If you have an expertise that they can't live without, then you might just end up on their team

Good luck!
Deb

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Deb Howard Greenleaf, Certified QB ProAdvisor
Virtual Bookkeeping & QB Consulting

I started the exact same way - I know exactly how you feel. The only thing that worked for me was going to networking meetings, leads meetings, and guest-attending BNI groups.

This site is awesome I am taking lots of tips from you ladies! I have so many list going it's crazy. I am realizing more and more that it is a process for getting your business up an running. Thank God I already have a client and am building my business around the success that I have experienced with this one. I hope to one day run my VA business full time.

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Cathryn Branch, MPA 'We will either find a way, or make one.' Hannibal

I tell everyone I meet about my business, because I specialize in real estate with a emphasis on commercial real estate I tend to refer out the other jobs that I receive just to keep focused. I'll add you to my referral network. Please send my your email and website information. I was truley blessed to gain my past employer as a client and secure other associates I worked with in the past as clients as well. Being a Commercial Real Estate VA has been a dream of mine for longer then I knew there was such a position and I would like to encourage you to keep at it! Here's an idea..go to used car dealerships and offer to make them a affordable website. I would find a well known dealership in your area that currently does not have a site offer to build them a FREE site and use them for advertisment. Make flyers and take them to other dealerships. In my area there are tons of small car dealerships that will invest under $1,000 to get their cars on the websites.

Just something I thought about early this morning before coffee!

I'm glad to hear that what I am trying to work through is normal. I was beginning to think it was me. Thank all of you for replying to me, you have truly raised my spirits and have helped me to keep on trying.

Don't give up. It took me over a year before I received my first client. I agree with Deb. Volunteering is a great way to gain clients. It wont happen over night but with time people will come to know who you are and what you do as well as the quality of your work and soon you'll have your pick of clients.

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Portia Goss
www.thevirtualofficesuite.com