This is a great topic for me. I am really unsure what path to take to get clients. Once I am "open for business" in a few weeks, I do have the ability to put brochures and business cards at our farm market. I am hoping to get a client or two from there. We have lots of vacationing business owners from the bigger cities around here and maybe they could use my services. At least I hope so.

However, I am sure I will need to do something else. I just can't figure out what.

What a great question! I've had the same questions and I've been trying to figure out what to do and just from reading the answers it's obvious there's no one right answer. Lol I'm going to have to find my niche and good luck to you as well!!

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Virtual Assistance by Roxie 201-253-7939
http://www.virtualassistancebyroxie.com

Some great ideas! I only have one client and she came from a referral.

I can't stress enough it's all about networking. Just like a local business it takes word of mouth but the people have to get to know you first. Find a passion and shout out what you know about the topic. Whether it be on interviews, forums or articles. Soon people will start coming to you for small things then it will get bigger.

You know, contrary to the post about free hours, I am leaning towards that option. I think about new stores, bakeries, etc that open...when you start something new in an area where people don't know you and have never heard of you, what would honestly make them want to give you a try? The bakery will offer cupcake samples, the grocery store has cheese and various other sample items for you to try in hopes that you will like it and buy it. Of course nobody is giving away a whole cake or a whole block of $50 cheese to every single customer - so by the same token I don't expect that you would give away 40 hours worth of service to a new potential client. "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free" comes to mind, so the key isn't giving away a whole gallon of milk...but rather giving a sampling. I think that is a great way to get your name out there, but I would only want to do it with my niche market. I think this will help gain testimonials as well as referrals. So the outcome would be that you start to build the testimonial page of your website and when the "big fish" come to check you out based on the referral they got, they will see why you charge a million dollars an hour for what you do and they won't mind paying it.

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Nikki Johnson
The Millionaire's Assistant™

As everyone's been saying there's no singular correct answer. I do agree about the networking; it's the one thing that keeps shining out as a 'must do' from all these forums.

I'm just starting out and I was actually given a lead last week by the company designing my website. They told me of a Virtual Concierge company whose website they'd designed in my area. They mentioned that she was really busy, almost getting to the stage of needing help herself with everything.

As soon as I got back home from my meeting I gave her a ring, introduced myself, told her I was starting up in business but didn't want to be her competition and was extending the hand of friendship. I also mentioned that I may want to use some of her services and that maybe I could help her. We're meeting in July!

Just something for others to think about - rather than being the 'enemy', how about looking on things in a bit more of a "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" kinda way?!

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Cath Walter
http://www.diamondva.co.uk

I agree with you Cath. I have reached out to a few people that I know that are already in the business in one form or another. When I was a PA, I was successful in making quite a few of those contacts and I am hopeful that it will lead to business.

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Nikki Johnson
The Millionaire's Assistant™