Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

LawrenceSN · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Hi All -

This seems to be my biggest headache right now. How do you recruit clients/let them know you are out there? I am not quite sure how to advertise / market my services to the people who could benefit from them. I have been cold calling (eek!) to some local businesses that I thought might be interested and have gotten nothing but no's, no thank you's, and some things that are not appropriate to say in polite company. Has mass marketing actually worked for anybody? If so, where do you get those leads? Other ideas??? I am just sort of at a loss right now and don't really know what to do or where to go. Any thoughts or guidance are greatly appreciated. Oh, I also have a LinkedIn profile and an ad on Craigslist.

Thanks,
*Natalie*

JKVirtualOffice · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

Networking yourself online and offline are probably where you will be able to make contacts with potential clients. Marketing these days is more about letting people get to know and developing relationships rather than mass marketing or cold calling.

Have you been active with LinkedIn other than just setting up a profile? Look around one here there have been some good discussion about how to use LinkedIn for networking beyond just setting up a profile. I will also recommend other business networking sites as well as using social media sites like setting up a business Facebook page and getting involved on Twitter.

Setting up and writing posts to a blog would also be a good way for people to get to "know" and get a sense of who you are and what your capabilities are.

Have you checked out attending Chamber of Commerce meetings or going to a local business "meetup" (see www.meetups.com)?

Also, I highly recommend combing through this section for other threads and discussion about what other people are doing or have done. There's tons of great ideas in here.

Post your website for feedback in the website review section. You may get some great ideas for things to add to your website that might help as well since your website is basically your storefront.

Have you done a press release? I would recommend that as well since that I can garner you some traffic and interest online.

Good luck and don't give up. It takes time. There are tons of really good marketing blogs out there, like Duct Tape marketing. Take a look at those as well for some great ideas.

LawrenceSN · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008

Thanks for the thoughts. Yes, I have joined MeetUp.com and talked to the local Chamber of Commerce. I am planning to go to Chamber of Commerce get together on Nov 6th (non-members can go too, I just can't see spending $400 right now to get into the chamber) to do some networking. None of my meetup groups have anything soon (late November is the soonest) but I just joined those and am planning to go to them too. I also just did as you said and posted my website for feedback - just because I think it's good doesn't mean it is (plus new ideas are ALWAYS welcome)!

Thanks again!
- Natalie

VABeth · #4 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008

I had the same question and your advice is pretty helpful. Thanks : )

leedrozak · #5 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008

With the amount of VA's on the web you are better to start networking locally. Check out meetup groups based on small business, networking, entrepeneurs and anything in your niche area if you have one. Participate in their boards and forums so that members get to know you.

Take your business cards and/or brochures everywhere. You never know when you are going to run into a potential client. I found one in my local coffee shop thanks to talking to the owner and letting him know what I do and bouncing ideas off of him when he had questions about some of his processes.

If you have a local volunteer organization that you know could use your help, volunteer your services to get your name out in the community. If you belong to a church-advertise in their bulletin if possible since this is a great referral network.

You are now at the hard part - marketing yourself. Take stock in the resources available on this forum and be patient. I see great opportunities for our industry especially with the state of economy but you need to get your name out there for clients to find you.

Modern Marketing Support · #6 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008

Everyone has given you some great advice. I will add this:

You need to add more valuable content to your website. Virtual Assistance is an online business and as such our website is the place where our potential clients will come to learn more about us. This is where you need to shine. You need to offer something to your clients; a newsletter, a whitepaper, an e-book, a podcast, a screencast, anything that will be useful to them and will showcase your knowledge and expertise.

As mentioned, you also need to be blogging on a weekly basis. This will help create fresh content for your site and drive more traffic to it. Then, once you've got an audience you need to wow them with your stuff and convert them into paying clients.

Lastly, you should familiarize yourself with SEO and structure your website properly for the search engines and your prospects.

JKVirtualOffice · #7 (**permalink**) 11-13-2008

Yes, listen to Shari. She's right on with the advice about the website and the blog.

I've gotten several clients to make contact just based on what they saw on my website.

KiwiVA · #8 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008

I've joined several "real life" networking groups, like a womens' entrepreneur group, the local chamber of commerce, and am looking into joining the BNI (Businessnetwork International). Check out the BNI in your area, there are BNI groups almost everywhere in the world and they are awesome because everybody makes sure that their members get referrals.

The group my husband goes to meets once a week and he's already received several referrals and given referrals. It's a great source to start with. In the new year I'll be joining, too. The joining fee is several hundred dollars, but it's worth it in the long run.

VAs are in great demand, that's one thing I learned. Don't get disheartened. If you try hard and do it well you will get work.

I've also joined Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and several other forums and got to meet so many interesting people worldwide, it's awesome. Many VAs work for other VAs or VA practices, so don't think this time on the social media are wasted. If you represent yourself professionally, the time is never wasted, you might just need to work on this a bit longer.

midknight · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008

I have joined BNI in the past and also joined in my local Chamber with no avail. I am not sure if it is just because of the small town or what but while I was there for the year, I didn't get one single client or referral. Maybe if you live in a larger town or city, it might worth the while but not in my small town - people are just used to hiring employees instead of outsourcing it.

Just my opinion

Michelle

KC Virtual Solutions · #10 (**permalink**) 12-07-2008

Hi

I faced the same problems when I first started out (not long ago!), I emailed local companies and got zilch!

My clients have come from networking online (here!) and also freelance sites. I feel that when you network online people get to know you and gain your trust and that's how you gain clients in this industry. (in my opinion ;o) )

I wish you all the best XXX