Other than word of mouth from happy clients, what are some of the better ways to obtain new clients?

The best way is to get out and spread the word by giving out business cards to all, talking about your business and networking, networking, and networking some more.

When it comes to business cards, the person you give to may never need your services but they might know someone who might.

There are often local groups that organise networking events in your area, and go to them.


Good luck with your marketing.

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Vicky
www.c-vas.eu

Thanks for the reply. I am in the process of trying to come up with a name for my business. I am finding that really difficult, not sure if I am trying to hard to make it catchy and creative. I have assigned my family to come up with some ideas for me this week!!!

hi

i am also having a really hard time to come up with a name

I also plan to network, but I also plan to do some cold e-mailing. Kind of like cold calling- but e-mail instead. I plan to research businesses in my area that I think could use my services and find an e-mail address for them and e-mail them a flyer about the services I offer and point them to my website. They may not need me, but then again, 1 out of 50 might become a client and that would be 1 more client than I had previously!

Be careful with cold emailing. That could be considered spam and they might report you.

You should join as many business networking groups as possible. Go to the meetings and pass out your business card, talk about your business and take business cards from each member. Send an email or letter to each of the members you met and remind them about your services. Then set up appointments to meet them and discuss his business and yours.

Cindy Freland
Maryland Secretarial Services, Inc.
www.webmss.com

I am so happy I came across this post! Along with all the great suggestions on here already, I just have to share this story!

We order pizza from the neighborhood mom and pop pizzeria. We've been ordering from them for years! Since they dont deliver, you are forced to walk into their establishment...i never thought twice about it...until I started my VA business. I started thinking of places to put my cards, flyers, etc. On a visit to them, I noticed they had a place on the counter with business card holders for different services. I took a chance, and asked if that was for friends only or regulars or what not...and the owner said it was for anyone! He gave me a holder and I put in some cards! Ive gotten a few calls from that (unfortunately the hours werent for me), but nonetheless, it worked!

Get your name out anywhere is my point! Even at a pizza place! Post your card at your local Startbucks or Quiznos! They have bulletin boards (at least in Miami they do) that allows for advertising! It doesnt hurt to ask.

Good Luck!
Sandy

See if you have meet up groups in your area. I joined one that is FREE and we have over 200 members and meet the first Wednesday of the month. There is a website for them.

Cindy Freland
Maryland Secretarial Services, Inc.
www.webmss.com

I have to say the best networking is online networking. We are a virtual business and the people that require our services are also virtual or home based businesses. There are obviously many out there that have medium to large buisnesses that could use our services however the networking online is much more successul than networking offline. I have not handed out any brochures or attending any events. I have been able to successfully find business all online. Even my very reputable and successful business coach said that she found networking "offline" does not work or does not work as well as "Online". Needless to say I do still leave business cards around. You just never know. The issue is that Virtual Assistance is not known or understood as much in the outside world so people are reluctant to give it a try. I have heard this being said from several VA's.

The only offine networking I have done is going to the Ladies who launch event. It was a lot of fun and majority of th women networking were small home based businesses or growing home based businesses.

I agree with Serena. Most of my networking has been online and mostly just by establishing my online presence. I've only attended one real time networking event. I've either gotten clients through online interactions or just by people going to my website and contacting me.

It seems like there is more "awareness" online of what a VA is and does, so that helps to eliminate a barrier right there.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!