I have been thinking about getting listed in a few paid VA directories.

Here are my questions:

Can anyone share their experience(s) with being listed in paid VA directories?

Does it pay to do this? Thoughts?

Bring in PCs?

Which are the best ones if I decide to go this route?

Thanks a bunch!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Jules, I belong to two other directories currently, I dropped a third directory that I joined up when I first became a VA. I don't think I can post the name of this directory here, so PM me if you need details on that.

Personally, I feel VAF is the best, this is only after careful research and consideration. There are other directories out there where you can pay to advertise your business. One that I currently belong to has gotten me nowhere except for spamming me and the problem PC that last month got my name and was lowballing me against another VA. I posted this to the forum here last month. Note that this was not the fault of this directory but just people taking my contact info off their board. This directory offers a few Rfps a year and online calls and nothing else. I just feel I can put that money to better use now that I am familiar with different options. I am not renewing when it is time to renew. The other forum I belong to is pricey to me but I get discounts on certain things, they do have a directory and is very similar to VAF only with a price tag. To my knowledge VAF is the only forum with a directory with Rfps that is totally free. In addition to all the forms and documents (that other forums charge for).....HTH

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Jules, just wanted to add in something here, I may have been a little cryptic before which wasn't my intention. When I was referring to the directory that caused the spam, I was not talking about Virtual Assistantville where I also have a paid listing. I just wanted to clarify....

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Jules, I've always said that I wouldn't pay for VA industry directories because they were all junk, honestly. They have little SEO value at all and are just 'add-ons' in most cases to bigger sites.

With that said there are now some very decent options out there worth considering.

I think you have to look at what it is you're being charged for - what does your listing inculde? Is the site optimized for SEO? [If no one can find the site, then no one is going to find your listing, hence, no value] Are the LISTINGS themselves SEO-friendly? [If you are listed in a directory and search for your company name on Google, does your listing at that particular directory turn up in the search returns? Are there any additional features in the directory that allow you to grab more 'exposure' for your listing?

And finally, is the directory attractive to look at and easy to use, because once people land there, they have to want and be able to actually use the directory to find what they're looking for. So many directories out there are literally unsearchable and are just kind of a dump for links... not ideal and not worth spending money on.

There are a few directories I do pay to list my own sites and various client sites in - and regardless of the industry or niche of the directory the same rules apply when deciding if the investment is worth it.

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Originally Posted by Tess

Jules, I've always said that I wouldn't pay for VA industry directories because they were all junk, honestly. They have little SEO value at all and are just 'add-ons' in most cases to bigger sites. With that said there are now some very decent options out there worth considering. I think you have to look at what it is you're being charged for - what does your listing inculde? Is the site optimized for SEO? [If no one can find the site, then no one is going to find your listing, hence, no value] Are the LISTINGS themselves SEO-friendly? [If you are listed in a directory and search for your company name on Google, does your listing at that particular directory turn up in the search returns? Are there any additional features in the directory that allow you to grab more 'exposure' for your listing? And finally, is the directory attractive to look at and easy to use, because once people land there, they have to want and be able to actually use the directory to find what they're looking for. So many directories out there are literally unsearchable and are just kind of a dump for links... not ideal and not worth spending money on. There are a few directories I do pay to list my own sites and various client sites in - and regardless of the industry or niche of the directory the same rules apply when deciding if the investment is worth it.

Tess, great information again. Actually I never even thought of all of this when looking for a VA directory. You always give us such good tips, some of which I wouldn't even think of to question either. VAF is such a huge resource to me.

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Thank you, Jo and Tess.

Tess, I totally get what you're saying about SEO, etc. That is why I am seriously considering Virtual Assistantville. I have got to say that none of the others I have been to seem to "grab" me like VA-ville. Yes, I know who "owns" VA-ville, so that probably plays into my decision, but it also tells me that they know what they are doing! AND - in another post, a VA got a client from having a membership there.

Jo, you weren't cryptic at all...well, maybe just a wee bit. I understood what you meant, though.

Thanks again, gals!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Jules,

I too belong to two other paid directories. One because of the benefits and it has definitely paid for itself in the opportunities as well as B2B discount available. The other because I see the huge potential of belonging to it.

I also like the advice Tess gave and it gives me another perspective to consider before joining any membership group.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Lee, I'm so curious to know more about the directory you've received so much benefit from already as well as how much you pay to be listed and what the benefits are aside from B2B discounts [those are good to know about too ]. It's always good to hear from other VAs when they find valid, legit resources.

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Originally Posted by Tess

Lee, I'm so curious to know more about the directory you've received so much benefit from already as well as how much you pay to be listed and what the benefits are aside from B2B discounts [those are good to know about too ]. It's always good to hear from other VAs when they find valid, legit resources.

Yes, Lee, my curiosity is peaked, too. Do tell!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hi Jules,

I've had myself listed in a number of them, both paid and free, and not a single one has led to a prospect. Not once. The one paid listing I'm still in, which used to be wonderful, has been redesigned and tech-ified to the point that I can't use it. I'm going to drop it once the quarter I've already paid for is over.

I have had prospects (but not actual clients) from paid RFP listings, but even those nibbles were few and far between. In fact, one paid RFP that I un-listed myself from more than a year ago still sends me spam; the larger association it's connected has so many crossovers and glitches and is just generally spread so thin that it's impossible for its maintainers to control. So they don't. I don't think it's intended to be useful anymore; it's just a moneymaker for them.

Bottom line for me: zero ROI. By far I get better press from picking up clients at REAL RFP listings (like here) and from there, by word of mouth.

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AnnaLisa Michalski, Sunny Words Writing Services