If you're just starting out as a Virtual Assistant, you will find many valuable marketing tips in The Virtual Assistant's Guide to Marketing - 2nd Edition by Michelle Jamison. Veteran VAs who need to brush up on their marketing techniques would benefit from this book as well.

Not sure how to write your mission, vision, or core values statement (or why these are important)? You'll find out in the pages of this book. The first few chapters walk you through choosing your company's identity and your target market, then in chapter four you get into the meat of the book: your marketing kit. Not only does the author list the essential components of a good marketing kit, but she also tells you how to write content that will capture potential clients' interest and leave them wanting more information about your services. Then she discusses in detail how to go about creating effective brochures, flyers, sales letters, business cards, press releases, newsletters, etc. In addition, there's an entire chapter devoted to developing a client information package for distribution to potential clients.

If you're clueless about building a web presence for your company, you'll find a wealth of information in this book, including step-by-step instructions on registering and creating your web site. Once that important step is finished, you'll learn about online marketing, from utilizing website links to search engine optimization tips.

There are also sections on paid advertising, taking advantage of free publicity, and using article marketing and blogs to increase awareness of your business. Last but most certainly not least, the author includes highly detailed instructions on creating your marketing plan, whether you're in need of an informal plan just for your reference or a more in-depth plan for use in pursuing financing through financial institutions. At the end of the book, you'll find examples of the various components of the marketing kit, such as brochures, flyers, etc.

I'd be remiss as an editor if I didn't mention the numerous typos that took up residency on the pages of this book and tended to distract from the author's message. Overall, however, I found this book to be a valuable marketing resource.

Do you have any thoughts, queries, or feedback on The Virtual Assistant's Guide to Marketing? Share your comments or questions by replying directly to this thread!

Click here to buy the book!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

Tammi, thanks for tihs great review!

I find it curious that so many of our industry books are published with typos and grammatical errors...

Good to know the book offers solid info, regardless! I like the idea of having detailed instructions for creating a marketing plan. I'm curious if there were any 'wow' revelations in the book in that regard; anything you read and thought 'now that's a really extraordinary marketing idea!'

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Hi all,

Just wanted to give a quick update that the author is working to correct the grammatical errors in The Virtual Assistant's Guide to Marketing before the next reprint.

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

Hi Tess,

Oops, didn't see your post before I posted my last comment!

I absolutely love that the increasing popularity of self-publishing opportunities is allowing more and more people an affordable way to get their words into print, but with these opportunities, authors aren't guaranteed a professional editing of the book before it goes to print like they would be at a traditional publishing company. In my opinion, it seems like many self-published authors either don't want to (or can't) spend the time or money to hire a professional editor, or they find themselves in the unfortunate position where they hire a professional freelance editor who performs subpar work.

As far as the book itself, I want to reiterate that I did find it to be full of solid, useful information. There were quite a few helpful marketing tips and tricks that I would have never thought of on my own (although of course it wouldn't be fair to share specifics here and essentially 'give away the farm' ).

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

Fair enough on all counts! thanks Tammi!

Good points about the self-pub industry...

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WOW!!! This is the book I've been using! I even used the suggestions in it to develop the log o on by business cards! This book is WONDERFUL!

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Talking about typos...sorry!

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I have this book as well as The 2-Second Commute and they are wonderful especially when you have no clue, like me. The marketing in The Virtual Assistance Guide was great. The 2-second Commute by Christine Durst and Michael Haaren is my bible. I was able to pull fee structure, what services to offer, reality checks and self assessments, as well as estimating costs. I read this book daily. And I am still able to come up with things that I did not think of.

Gina Murray
mgmvirtualoffice

It's so great to hear that this book is working for others also!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

I received my copy of this book in the mail this weekend. I’m about 1/3 of the way through it and love it. It has given me marketing ideas that I never thought about but will be putting into practice soon.

Thanks for the review, Tammi. This sounds like a book that will help me get started.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for a great review of this book. My copy of this book is still on its way from Amazon. May I add as well that another book "Getting Business to Come to You" by Paul and Sara Edwards is a great reference for various marketing methods. It is a Do-It-Yourself guide to attracting business.

Best regards,
Grace Long
VA Extraordinaire
Delegate to the Ultimate Technology Specialist and Focus on Growing your Business

Thanks for the suggestion, Grace! I'll be sure to check it out.

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

I decided to get this book from these reviews. I have a copy of Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA and loved this book.

I have just ordered my copy of the marketing book and cannot wait for it to come.

Tammy King
www.tmkva.com

Hi,

I am reading this book and it suggests that I research my target market. Right now I have narrowed my target market down to real estate agents, consultants, and entrepreneurs. I am having problems finding information (demographics, geographics, etc) on these industries. Any suggestions on where I can go to do my market research?

Thanks.