Y'all I feel so close to getting my first client. I keep finding all these great ads and the more I apply the better my marketing presention becomes. But I can't afford to keep going through the "testing" phase.

I got a great lead this morning from a friend. The potential client asked for my resume, though she presented me as Virtually Linked. So what I did was I added my logo to my resume with my company name and address and I plan to send him a flyer I created along with the resume. Do you think what I did to the resume is ok?

Next I found another opportunity for a non profit. They want 3 letters of reference. Easy, but should I ask my references to mention my company. Though they have no idea how well I will do with my company. But they know how well I've done in corporate america.

Thoughts?

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Jessica Nix
www.virtuallylinkedva.com

Jessica,

Instead of a resume I have a company profile that includes some of my current clients as well as brief job descriptions from past positions I have held.

As for your references I would choose people who concentrate on the specific tasks you many be handling for the non-profit (i.e. - invoicing, Jessica has been invoicing approximately 500 vendors for my company and she is efficient, thorough, etc.)

Since you are starting out, send information as a business but tweek it past employeers until you build up your business clients.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thank you. I really appreciate the advice.

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Jessica Nix
www.virtuallylinkedva.com

I think it's fine to ask for references from your previous employers but if they haven't worked with you under your company name it would be misleading to have them imply that they had.

Most of my references/testimonials just refer to me by name anyway - so by all means, collect them and use them to your advantage but don't worry about the branding thing. You'll soon enough have plenty of tesimonials from clients who can vouch for you by company name without hestitation.

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I agree Tess, I use my letters of recommendation from previous employers since my business is new.

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Debra Hayter
Seaboard Business Services

I agree too, I think letters of recommendation from previous employers have the potential to share with reviewers your capabilities and strengths, despite that your business hasn't had the experience to operate yet. All the best with that!

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Virtually yours,
www.nzvas.com