There's another GREAT and massive thread on the boards that I love 'What did you do this week to promote your business?'

And I thought I'd start up a new one in the same format but to address the question of What did you do this week to locate and get in touch with your ideal potential clients?

So... what have you done this week to locate and get in touch with potential clients? What are you doing to ensure your work doesn't dry up and that you always have new clients coming to you with fresh work [and income?]

Sound off!

__________________

I'll go first

I asked for referrals from my existing clients - because 9 itmes out of 10 the people my existing clients are going to send my way will fit that 'ideal' profile.

And I said 'thanks' to an existing client [via invoice discount] for his referral of another client who we just started working with.

I've also updated my email signature to better reflect what it is I do - and to pique interest from those I communicate with.

__________________

First, I had a revelation of my passion and narrowed down my target market, thus revising my niche..."Virtual business management (bookkeeping, payroll, administration, etc.) for contracting and service industry professionals"

This allowed me to create a more specific marketing plan.

According to "Get Clients Now" (I LOVE THIS BOOK... THANKS LANELT AND OTHERS FOR HIGHLY RECOMMENDING IT ON YOUR POSTS), I am more of a direct contact by word of mouth and correspondence person. So, I went out and began keeping my eyes open for contracting and service trucks driving around. Seems like there are a million of them in New Orleans. I give them the 10 second introduction and hand them a card and ask for theirs. If they have the time I continue the conversation. I've been trying to follow up with a few owners I've gotten cards for.

Unfortunately, I only began at the end of this week.
But come Monday.... IT'S ON BABY!!!

__________________
www.lloydbusinesssolutions.com
"Getting you back to what you do best"

Tomekia,

I'm supposed to be through the first five days of my plan, but didn't start. I'm on it for Monday.

__________________
Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Originally Posted by Administrative Partners

I'm supposed to be through the first five days of my plan, but didn't start. I'm on it for Monday.

Well, Monday is my first OFFICIAL scheduled day, but the plan was so good, I couldn't stand the thought of wasted opportunities.

So, it looks like we're on the same schedule. We may have to check up on each other!

__________________
www.lloydbusinesssolutions.com
"Getting you back to what you do best"

Originally Posted by Tess

I've also updated my email signature to better reflect what it is I do - and to pique interest from those I communicate with.

How'd you do that? Did you change your title?

__________________
www.lloydbusinesssolutions.com
"Getting you back to what you do best"

Great thread! The only thing I did this week in terms of "marketing" to my ideal client was my one little twitter shoutout today to Architects. LOL I have a few more shoutouts to post to different types of clients, just didn't want to do it all in one day. I did post a couple CL ads this week too, but they weren't niche-specific.

I have good intentions of getting better at the marketing aspect & also asking for referrals. I have a client who referred me to everyone she knew in the beginning, which resulted in 2 other clients so that was awesome. I just haven't asked for any in a while so it's probably time...

I'd be interested to know what little sig changes you made too, Tess - if you don't mind sharing?

__________________
shana
www.shanafore.com

I have been commenting in other VAs blogs just to get my name out there and starting Monday I'm going to begin a strict schedule to add material to my own blogs. I've also been revising my marketing plan and brainstorming ideas for adding clients. Like Tess, I thanked a client in the form of a discount but this was for being an almost perfect client.

__________________
Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Sadly nothing. Under renovation, my office is tumbled into the living room, I've had a lot of work to do remotely for the job plus I was in their office 2 days. Right now my place looks like a war zone - I should be able to find the walls again in about a week!

Hello Everyone!

For me this week, it was a bit busy. I'm learning how to manage FT job & PT VA - but will make it to FT VA soon - I can smell it!

My promotion list this week was:

Contacting non-profit organizations such as American Red Cross, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, etc. to determine who may need my services in data entry, creating forms, etc. It never hurts to ask for leads and such.

Being able to "network" with others. Letting others know in the VA industry that I am able and available to take on their overflow workload. It never hurts to help out another VA.

Last, but not least, I FINALLY got my decal from VistaPrint.com to put on my car. During my FT job, I complete a lot of marketing stops around town and while I'm out "working" - I can always use the decal I purchased as a marketing tool for my VA business. This can also be useful if you're heading to the gym, grabbing lunch with a potential client, or just out with friends and/or a networking group.

Looking forward to seeing more ideas

__________________
Aspiring VA - Jean
http://network.govirtualwithjean.com