Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Administrative Partners · #21 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

It does indeed take some time. But before I got started I spoke with a seasoned VA and she told me that even though she had 4 kids and didn't do allot of networking events, if I wanted to get clients quickly, that would be the way to go. And it has held true, for every networking event I have gone to, I have gotten a new client within two weeks.

So it might be worth getting a baby sitter one night a month to do some networking.

virtuallin · #22 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008

Don't smack me, LOL - all of my clients come from my website, but that's only after working 8 years on good SEO.

Today, the most cost effective way to market your business is online - social networking and blogging is the way to go! Determine who your ideal client is and go hang out online where they do.

For REVAs, it's places like Internet crusade's RealTalk list, Active Rain, Twitter. I'm sure the non-REVA VAs can offer suggestions as to where they network online.

Bevalee · #23 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008

Ideally I would love all my clients to come via my website

Administrative Partners · #24 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008

I would love for all of mine to come from my website as well. But I do enjoy meeting people and learning about people and I find that when they meet me they want to work with me. And I usually learn alot of the events I attend about not only my business but others as well. But expand your geographical range, it makes since that you can't stick to networking events only.

Dana Fortier · #25 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008

I don't have a website currently - I'm working on copy for mine and it'll hopefully go live next month. I don't anticipate it driving a lot of traffic, but it's going to have a way for my clients to communicate with me, give me assignments and check the progress of their particular projects.

A lot of my clients have come from strange and unusual places:
Mom-in-law (I know - not strange or unusual (unless you know the family I married into!))
Mom-in-law's business coach (loved the newsletter I do for mom-in-law, so now I do hers, too)
Motor City Connect - I now have 2 retainer clients from ONE in-person networking event and I've referred about 1/2 dozen to other VA's that I know. One is a commercial real estate investor, and the other is a financial planner/advisor.
Two former employers that have struck out on their own.
In the park - met a mom there last week and we got to talking.
At the ice arena - again, met a mom & we got to talking.

The rest of my clients (the other 4) have come from RFP's that I've responded to.

DianaEnnen · #26 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008

Hi

>>thanks for sharing. Great idea about the business shirts, sure would love to see one, have any pictures?

Thanks Kim!! I don't have any pictures now, but absolutely can take one.

One other idea too is that I'll make up gift certicates, I use VistaPrints because it's cheap), and post them around town. You know in restaurants, gyms, etc., where they have tables or a counter for these. I'll either put my business card or magnet or gift certificate. I always carry them with me so I can just drop them off. I'm pretty sure it works, because quite often something will call and say, "I have your gift certificate for $5.00 off from ...

Thanks!

Diana Ennen

Adamsd · #27 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008

I started a month ago, I joined the Chamber of my city and also joined a BNI group (referral group). I have 5 clients now and all came from these groups. Three of my clients are permanent part-time monthly clients. Chambers also let you sign up to do presentations that allow you to tell other business owners about yourself and what you do. Once you get one client from there, others will begin to talk about what you have accomplished for them and it will be a domino effect. Right now with economy the way it is, a great time to market yourself and the things that you can give to a small business that will increase profit and reduce costs.

Administrative Partners · #28 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008

I would LOVEEE LOVE LOVE to do a presentation at a Chamber event, but I haven't joined the Chamber yet. I'll have to put that on my list to add to the budget in the next few months. I'm assuming you have to be a member to get that priviledge.

kimbeckers · #29 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008

Speaking at the chamber sounds like a wonderful opportunity to get out there and network locally. What have you done a presentation on? I would be so nervous about doing this although I think it would be a tremendous opportunity if done right.

virtual writing · #30 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008

It seemed like a lot of money to join the Chamber, but I did it. And even though I hear they're increasing the fee next year, I'll probably pay it (unless I have more than enough clients by then!) because of the opportunity to tell people about what you do, both in casual networking and in meeting presentations ('1-' or '10-minute commercials'). I belong to a networking group of about 30 or so, with 2 meetings a month. So you have the opportunity to do your 1-minute commercial in front of 30 people twice a month - and that's worth a hefty hunk of your advertising budget, right? You get used to talking about your business, people hire you, and you support the businesses of others. So it's probably THE BEST marketing you can do to reach local clientele.