Kathleen yes please email it to me. You can send me a private message here

Originally Posted by katekindred

Jessica, one more thing. Give your web site a title, preferably one rich with key words people will type in when looking for you. You web site shows "home page" for the title. This won't help you one bit search engine wise. I do not claim to be any kind of a SEO expert, but I know from my own trials and errors that you need a good title. This will help your site appear in search results. I have a pdf I found online called seomadeeasy.pdf It helped me a lot. I don't know how to go about posting it here but can email it to you if you would like. Kathleen Kindred

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Jessica Nix
www.virtuallylinkedva.com

Hi Kathleen,

May I have the file as well? I need all the SEO help I can get!

Thank you!!

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Lori :daisy:

Jessica and Lori, I just sent it to each of you.

Kathleen

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Virtual Bankruptcy Paralegal
www.bkprep4u.com

I forgot to add this: when doing your craiglist ad make sure your ad title has the key words you are using to draw people to your web site. When I did this, my ad miraculously appeared in google, and on the first page of results. I was amazed because I hadn't had high expectations for free ads and only did it because, what the heck, it's free. So,anything I get off of it is a great ROI!

Kathleen

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Virtual Bankruptcy Paralegal
www.bkprep4u.com

Hi there

I went through my notes and here is what I can tell you from my notes:

Restate the request in your own words to demonstrate your understanding of the project and requirements.

Describe how you will perform the project.

Describe ways in which you will measure effectiveness.

Describe your past experience with past projects.

Suggest a time-frame for project completion or if warranted, you can suggest an ongoing (or retainer program ? which is of course, is often our ultimate goal)

Do not include a fee or price unless explicitly asked to provide such information. Instead, insert a call-to-action such as offering a free consultation to discuss the scope of the project in more detail in order to determine cost


Now I can tell you what I do:

I personalize my tempalte that I have already created in outlook. I add the persons name, list the project and basically tell them what I can do for them and then I list all the other services I provide. I make sure I have a call to action and I invite them to visit my website. I don't use a PDF proposal and maybe I should but I seem to have a good success rate with RFP. I do not waste my time on Kijiji and Craigs list on a dialy basis. I do it occasioanlly. IT depends where you are posting and there are probalby hundreds of people that repsond to request on there so your chances are minimial.

I suggest you start networking online and offline and send out letters to business offices in your town/city. Having a website is a must also if you don't have one.

There is alot of great advice in the forums and you will make your way to the top quickly. It just takes time and I would say March is when business starts to really pick up. People are not that busy in January and don't need help as much in January either.

Get to know the VA's on the boards too becuase subcontracting may be the best way for you to start growing your business.

Good luck

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I have begun to work on all your suggestions. I have a list of things to do (ha!). Just to have my 3 points of marketing I decided to use Craigslist in 3 cities as one, the 2nd will be social networking, the 3rd with be marketing to local businesses I find on the Chamber of Commerce. The 3rd is direct marketing and will cost. So I might have to hold off a while on this one.

But I am working the social and business networking sites. Linked In seems to be the best with the most professionals. Each time I get a request for a connection I ask them to review my profile and keep my services in mind if they need assistance or know of someone. Something to that affect. Sounds more professional when I'm on the Linkedin site. :-).

I'll work on getting myself in the search engines right away.

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Jessica Nix
www.virtuallylinkedva.com

LinkedIn is a great business networking site. Is is pretty much strictly business, and not all the added distractions that some of the other places have. Also, don't underestimate the value of Facebook either. I know that the social networking thread on here has some great posts with resources and advice.

Go get 'em Jessica! You can do it!

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Megan Barber - www.BarberVASolutions.com
www.REVAAcademy.com - A New Real Estate VA Training Program

You have to get yourself on Twitter and Facebook. It's a must!!! You will realize what a great added benefit it is. I have gotten quite a few contacts and clients from both.
Linkedin is good too!! I actually got one cient from linkedin because a client recommeded me and they noticed and contacted me saying they have been looking for a VA. i thought it was great!

Go for it and good luck!