I'm feeling very frustrated!!

I've found some local clients, but they all want me to work at their office! I've talked to small business owners in my own family and they have told me that it would be hard for them to work with a virtual assistant because first of all, most people have a hard time delegating work. They want it done, buy don't want to take the time to explain.

I need to market myself and my abilities better. My funds are very low so I can't afford a personal coach or mentor at this time.

Just need some encouragement, please.

It's ok Livewire, we've all been there at one point. It gets better. If you PM me I may be able to help.

Take Care,

__________________
Trena Stubbs of Apex Virtual Solutions
& Author of The Road to Going Virtual

I understand your frustration. For that same reason, I do not market locally.

If you want to pursue these clients, I would suggest that you put together a plan which could show them that delegating does not have to be done in person. Perhaps you could create a sheet indicating how delegating can be a virtual process either through some kind of contact management program, email, a weekly phone call, fax...I'd put several options out there.

Have you had a telephone consultation? I ask because I find that talking to people helps them to get to know you and can build confidence in the virtual ways.

Explain the benefits of working virtually and how your expertise can bring value to their business. Of course the usual explanation that they don't have to pay for office space, breaks, vacation time, etc. can be part of that explanation but I suggest that you do not emphasize that you are a replacement to an in-house employee, rather you are an alternative to an employee.

If you continue to hit a dead end with the local potential clients, move your energies away from local to 'anywhere' USA.

You can market yourself virtually for free or nearly free. Do you have a website, a blog and social networking sites set up? Join LinkedIn and participate in discussions.

There are many ways to market yourself and many threads here on VAF offering options and tools you can use.

Please try not to be frustrated by local clients who only want on-site employees. These folks may not be the types of clients you want to work with anyway.

Let us know how you do.

Janine

__________________
WRITE FAB RFP PROPOSALS & land THE VA job. WinningRFP unveils soon! SignUp www.WinningRFP.com

Livewire,

Most of us have been there so do not be discouraged. The area I live in was a little slower to get it but now VA have caught on and my local business is picking up. Hang in there, it will suddenly click with them.

__________________
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Livewire,
I have to agree with Janine and Lee, for several reasons.

• There is no difference in explaining what they want done to you than an onsite employee.
• You probably are talking with some control freaks. Most entrepreneurs are... you just have to be concise when explaining to them what you can do to make their lives easier. Start them off by getting them to name one task they could pass off to you.
• I see my work from a distance, not locally, but do expect it to change.

Best of luck!

__________________
Serita Diana, the List 2 Close Assistant
REVA Academy

Serita's advice to "Start them off by getting them to name one task they could pass off to you" is on target.

I've also noticed an increase in local interest as time wears on. It's like they need the familiarity ... after so many times (many more than you would think) that you deliver your networking message, they finally start getting it.

Not that they really get it, yet, but I do notice improvement.

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Try not to be so frustrated. Just look at this way. The local clients may not be for you. Once you explain what a "virtual" assistant does and they are not willing to work with you then look it is their loss and not yours. The door to those true clients are going to swing open one day and the hinges are going to fall off.


I just launched my business in April of this year. I do not have my first client yet, but I know they are coming. However, last night I did have my first Skype consultation, since he lives in Durham, NC and I live in Duncanville, Texas. So, I have determined in my planning for my business, that my clients would not all be local. Actually, I figure if there is distance between us, then they will truly understand the "virtual" assistant part.


Best wishes

__________________
LaVida Harris
The Moment is Yours

Thank you so much ladies for all of your support. I'm grateful I have any clients at all at this point. As a matter of fact, I'm headed out the door to a doctor's office, to do their montly computer maintenance. Four hour job/$150 day, I can't complain.

Thank God, we have Good days to offset the Bad days.

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.