I create my own (originally in Word, now in InDesign) and have them printed and cut at OfficeMax. I use some color on my cards so I look for 'color printing' sales, which they do on a regular basis.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Hi. I create my own postcards in Microsoft Publisher and then upload the file to Vistaprint.com. I just created a postcard for my transcription services -- 100 postcards for $25.00. Thought that was reasonable.

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Lisa Salem
Monarch Virtual Assistance LLC

I would also be interested in how other VA's are obtaining business mailing lists. I agree that the Chamber of Commerce is a great way to start. I was also wondering about local BNI (or business networking groups) although you have to be a paid member to "join". But I do see where most of the local BNI's have websites that post the businesses names and addresses. Question..... would this be "unethical" for me to go to these websites; get these business names, etc., and send them a postcard?

Thanks for responding!!

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Tina Thelen
Virtual Office Assistant

I use a combination of the ReferenceUSA database (see posting above) and the local newspaper for listings of new businesses from the Secretary of State's office. I DO, however, wait 9 months before mailing out to the new business listings. I track their creation date in Excel, which is how I maintain my mailing list, including who I send postcards, which version (I use 3 different ones with each potential client - approx 3-4 weeks apart), and if I got a response back. I also have a column for 'bounced' addresses, which prevents me from re-adding invalid addresses to my list.

This combination of resources has given me a fairly well-targeted list.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Thanks Lily for the info! Could you share with me what type of postcard you send out in week 2-3-4? I like the idea of sending a card out every 3-4 weeks; over a 3 month period, this keeps your info in front of them; but doesn't overload them with a card a week all at once!
Thanks for sharing!!

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Tina Thelen
Virtual Office Assistant

I start with a "hi - I'm introducing myself and how I can help", then the next one is a 'remember me? and how I can help" and the third one is "yep - still here and how I can help." I also include thoughts along the lines of "btw - tax time is coming up and are you ready? I can help you get ready" or "time is money and here is how I can save you some of both." I also add an 'action' to the cards - as in visit my website, contact me to discuss what I can do for you specifically. I have had a really good return rate. I send out approx 450 total cards to a mailing list of 150 each time and have gotten a handful of clients out of a handful of mailings.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Lily, Thanks for that advice. I have scheduled a visit to my local library on Thurs @ 10:00 am. :0)

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Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

Lily I think could probably start a "side" business doing postcard direct mailing. You are the only person I know in ANY industry that has such a good return. I know I would pay you to do them. Or offering a class and showing people like me step by step what you do.

Caroline

Thanks, Caroline. What I outlined above is pretty much my process. I think my success rate is due to really tightly targeting to whom I send cards out. My very first mailing was 176 cards to 176 recipients; 1 received 2 phone calls and 1 client from that first blast. Apparently, my message was timed just right! I received some invaluable help from Tess when I designed the first card. The 'definition' of office goddess and some of the text came directly from her! The first card (front and back) is below:

FRONT:


BACK:


I have since revised my business card but the message has stayed pretty similar, and I actually changed my target market from new entrepreneurs to 1-person law firms. I have a local reputation from having worked for attorneys in town, and I think that probably helps as much as anything.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I COMPLETELY forgot you are a bookkeeper (not that no one else can do this with the postcards) but you were able to use strategic marketing in a timely fashion to your advantage because you help business with something they absolutely need - help with their taxes. I am doing data entry, data maintenance, contact management, forms, word processing and transcription - services that most likely do not have the same sense of urgency.