Originally Posted by Monique

Thanks Rebecka, I am actually going to be hostng a "Launch" dinner party at my home for close friends and colleagues to announce my business to them. I was thinking of creating an advisory team for my business made up of some of the attendees. What do you think? Each has an area of expertise that could provide insight on aspects of business.

I think that's a neat idea as long as they'd be willing to volunteer (or maybe you were planning on paying them for their time). Or, rather than an "advisory team", maybe you could create your own little networking group. I've heard of groups like this that meet every so often (for lunch or something) and just bang around ideas and such. Some of these people don't even know each other outside of the networking group and I think they take turns bringing something new to the table (problems with their businesses or what have you). It kind of reminds me of Toast Masters (a little club so to speack), but for networking and coaching rather than public speaking.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Stephanie, I'm really using this opportunity to introduce what I'm doing to my friends and colleagues who are each connected to me in a different way. And they each have their own network of people they know.

They all bring specific knowledge such marketing director, BFF (business owner), Mom (keeping it real), a financial planner and so on. But I think of this group as my "Thinking" team, people I can connect with both on a businsess level and personal level.

As you said sort of a group coach approach.

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Monique Terrell, CEO
Sparkle Professional Office Services, LLC
www.sparkleofficeservices.com

Hi

I was able to secure clients fairly quickly, but that doesn't always happen. I think the more professional and agressive you are, the quicker it will happen. Also, what really helps is after they show an interest is to have a portfolio or something you can send them with more information. Mine has a cover letter, bio, price sheet, proposal, sample(s), testimonals, and anything customized that would help land them.

What is so cool is that you will always remember your first client!

Thanks!

Diana Ennen

I dont think that there is a magic time period. Some have clients before they start and for some it is a matter of just getting out there and following up on prospects.

If you are very confident in what you are offering it will not take very long at all.

~Carla

Diana,

This is a great idea I will certainly implement something similar.

Originally Posted by Diana_E

Hi I was able to secure clients fairly quickly, but that doesn't always happen. I think the more professional and agressive you are, the quicker it will happen. Also, what really helps is after they show an interest is to have a portfolio or something you can send them with more information. Mine has a cover letter, bio, price sheet, proposal, sample(s), testimonals, and anything customized that would help land them. What is so cool is that you will always remember your first client! Thanks! Diana Ennen

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Monique Terrell, CEO
Sparkle Professional Office Services, LLC
www.sparkleofficeservices.com

Hi Monique, as everyone has said - it's different for each VA. I know of some like Diana and myself who got lucky going in and found that first client pretty quickly. I also know of VAs who market dilligently for up to six months or more before they find a client. I think somewhere in the middle is a good 'norm' - and if you read the brags nad inspiration section of the forums you'll see there are member VAs celebrating their first client each week, it seems!

Soon, you'll be able to post your own brag there too - in the meantime keep up your marketing and do experiment with different ways of locating and communicating with your ideal client.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Monique

Stephanie, I'm really using this opportunity to introduce what I'm doing to my friends and colleagues who are each connected to me in a different way. And they each have their own network of people they know. They all bring specific knowledge such marketing director, BFF (business owner), Mom (keeping it real), a financial planner and so on. But I think of this group as my "Thinking" team, people I can connect with both on a businsess level and personal level. As you said sort of a group coach approach.

What a totally cool idea! I like that approach of having an advisory team. It's hard to go it alone and that is a great way to really share ideas and spark creativity! I think that could be useful in any phase of one's business! If anyone else has implemented such a thing, please share!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net