Hi,
I am new on here and also from Ireland and looking for some advice from others who have been in my position. I have recently started a Virtual Assistant business, well this is not strictly true, Girl Friday can work Virtually or in the client premises, the service is designed to be as flexible as it needs to be for each client. I have my flyers printed, my website designed and launched (www.girlfriday.ie) and now I have to take the almighty plunge and PUT MYSELF OUT THERE by contacting potential clients and drumming up some business. My question is 1) Do I just post out my flyer or do I 2) Post the flyer and a personal letter, and follow up with a phone call ? I have tried advertising in the local paper but it was a complete waste of time, not one call. What other ways would you suggest I make that all import initial client contact ? ( I have previous sales experience and have no problem cold calling). All help gratefully received !!

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Lara Costello
www.girlfriday.ie

Hello Girl Friday ,

I just saw your website and it's very straightforward and to the point, professional , I like it.
I'm also new,with experience in various fields.
I don't have a website but I'm using wordpress.
Wishing all the best and lots of success !!

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Mak's VA Services
Magdaline Makris

Thanks Magdaline, This was a really simple template through Hostgator - it is limited in how creative you can be but the customer support is excellent and it is such a low monthly hosting charge that it was worth the risk, however I also use Vistaprint for some of my client websites - it is easier to use if you want more images and flexibility - all the websites I do are seriously basic but most of my clients just want a simple brochure site to tell people what they do so it works well. Thanks for taking the time to check out my site and best of luck with your endeavours too - if you want a support 'buddy' I would be really keen to keep in touch and compare our mutual experiences - starting out is tough but I think if you can discuss it with someone going through the same thing it makes it easier - my email is info@girlfriday.ie if you want to hook up. Thanks again, Lara

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Lara Costello
www.girlfriday.ie

I have had good luck with sending out postcards (I send a series of 3, approx 3 weeks apart and then follow up with a phone call). Marketers say that your name has to be seen 7 times before it registers so I also post business cards at local grocery stores and anywhere else I see a community bulletin board. I also put my biz card in fishbowls at restaurants (facing out against the front glass). I once had someone tell me they recognized my logo but wasn't sure where they had seen it.

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

That's a great idea - Thanks Lily - and the seven times rule is good to remember, it will give me the motivation to keep knocking on doors until I get a 'yes' ! - I have had someone tell me my logo looks like a 'call girl' however I think she's pretty slick ........ anyway as long as they remember the logo - and eventually me then great !
Thanks for your help
Lara

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Lara Costello
www.girlfriday.ie

I launched last month and do not have a client yet, but am hopeful that I will be contacted soon. All good things take time and marketing, marketing, marketing!

As Lily mentioned, it takes at least 7 times before your name is recognized by someone. I ran a mentoring program for at-risk youth and it amazed me how many times I would receive a phone call from a potential mentor who told me they had been sitting on the brochure for over a year, were cleaning out their desk, ran across it, and made the call.

I also like your logo and can't imagine someone would mistake it for a 'call girl." Good luck and let us know how you are doing!

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Margaret
Helping You Build Your Empire

@Lara I would love to hook up !thanks will write to you write now
A call girl , how pathetic !!

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Mak's VA Services
Magdaline Makris

Margaret - thanks so much for your kind words and for checking out the website.
The 'call girl' comment..........Yeah ...... it was a man - go figure !

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Lara Costello
www.girlfriday.ie

Can I just say you would need a great imagination and a sleazy mind to think your logo looks like a call girl! I think it looks great - a professional, confident woman. Nothing wrong with that!

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