good morning everyone!!!

The sun is shining today and I am ready to start shopping for clients. Does anyone have an ideas for me and know any paticular place to start searching?

should i just start cold calling business or should i put an ad?

I have no idea where to start.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Serena

You could do each of those things, as well as other possible networkng/marketing efforts. Diverisfying your outreach will help you reach more potential clients, but first - deciding *who* your potential client is will help you target the most appropriate industry/businesses.

Because you used the term 'shopping for clients' I immediately thought of this prevous thread on the forums - perhaps it will help

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I am actually going to put together either an e-book or report that talks about this very topic. More to come on that!

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

I placed an ad in my local business directory. It's a little neighbor hood booklet that goes out monthly. It is a little costly but I figured that is one of the costs of doing business that I can recoup later on.

I received a couple of phone calls, and one asisgnment, not an ongoing contract, but I think this client will be a great referral base. Referral business is the best business ever.

My current clients include a couple of lawn care services, a restaurant, and a couple of Realtors. They all came to me by way of referrals.

I have contacted my local newspaper about my business - I sent them my press release, media pack and company information sheet and I *should* be in the press on Friday!! (yay!)

I have also contacted "Broadcast" the trade newspaper/magazine about my business (and enclosed my press pack, press release & company information sheet). No word yet about wheher they will include me in any future publications.

I am just about to embark on e-mailing some DJ's (my ideal client!!) with a sales e-mail, which will include 10 things that I could do for them (in a bulleted list). Hopefully that will give me some leads!

I am still looking for clients, however i am remaining hopeful!

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Julia Neal ...because we ♥ admin!
http://julianeal.wordpress.com

Here are a few ideas on how you can get new clients:

- Write press releases and submit them to your local newspapers and to online PR sites
- Write articles and submit those to article marketing sites
- Get a blog and start writing things related to your target market
- Sign up with a service like Send Out Cards and send postcards to local businesses
- Let family and friends know about your business and ask for referrals
- Join forums where your target market 'play' and provide your expertise to attract attention
- Use social networking tactics (ie: Facebook, etc.)
- Try sites like Elance.com or Guru.com or DoMyStuff.com

Hope those ideas help!

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Sincerely,

Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC

Great! thanks Erin!

Can anyone give me an example of their press release?

You'll find quite a few press releases here on the forums, in the Press Release section. You can also check the news page for various other releases sent out within the industry.

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thanks for all the great information guys. i love the idea of using guru, elance or do my stuff. i use all those sites for my boss when we have to outsource stuff.

thanks