I am just starting out my VA and bookkeeping business and I will be ready to launch at the end of this month. Even before launching all of my marketing material is ready (brochure, postcard, business cards, press releases, etc). However, now I am not sure how to choose my clients. How do I target the businesses and send out my marketing material? do I do door to door? pick up the phone? Where can I find a listing of all small businesses in my area?
Please share with us, your experiences when you first started marketing: how did you do it? how did you find those clients/businesses?

Thanks!

What has worked for me (after months of trying to figure this out) was to key in on an industry that uses my type of service. Seeing as you are specializing in bookkeeping, there really are so many markets out there for you. In my case, as I specialize in transcription, joining "all-inclusive" business associations isn't all that lucrative. But for you, it might be. Definitely join your local Chamber of Commerce and possibly a nearby city's Chamber of Commerce. (I live in the Miami, Florida area, and there are so many chambers.) Check into other business associations in your area because your bookkeeping services could definitely benefit many small businesses who are in that "in between" stage where they really aren't ready or in a position to hire an employee, yet really need one!

It sounds as though you have really worked hard at getting your business up and running. Good luck to you and I hope your search finds you many, many clients!

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Patty

Thanks Patty for your input! I am going to look into local chamber of commerce and see if their membership rates are affordable. I have been working on getting this business of the ground for the last 3 months and want to be successful at it. Good luck to you too!

Hi...If your target market is small businesses, and it sounds like it would be if you are offering bookkeeping services, I would definitely consider joining the Chamber of Commerce. Many of the members who are small businesses go to the networking meetings and mixers, and it is a great way to get in front of them and introduce yourself and your services.

Congrats, Nellie, on getting your business going!

As a freelance bookkeeper myself (among other things), I'd suggest that you narrow your focus even more than just to small businesses in your area. The suggestions are good to get involved with business groups such as the local Chamber of Commerce, but you should also be clear on the specific kinds of businesses you want to serve.

Do you like working with retail businesses? Do you prefer service-based businesses? What about manufacturing, or contractors, or even non-profits?

All of these types of businesses have their unique needs when it comes to their bookkeeping. So my best suggestion is to focus in specifically on the type of businesses you are familiar with and have experience with first. When you specialize, you will also be able to raise your rates more quickly then if you remain a generalist. It is much harder to serve many different industries well, too.

Once you know WHO you want to really focus on, your next question should be, "Where do these type of business owners hang out?" If it's the Chamber of Commerce, great! But are there other industry groups in yoru area? For example, years ago I used to do work specifically for independent insurance adjusting companies. I found that there was an industry association that nearly all of them belonged to, and there was a local chapter. There was also a small local business group for this industry. I joined them and started attending their events, even helping out the association's staff for their meetings. This helped me to get some great clients since they knew that I understood how their business worked and I was seen as THE person to go to when they needed help.

Hope this gives you some ideas on how you can narrow your focus and build your presence in your community in a way that will bring you some excellent clients that you'll like working with. :-)

Gabrielle

Gabrielle,
Reading your reply has actually given me direction on how I need to market my business... At this point I am more interested in service based businesses and non profits. I am going to follow you advice and find out if there are local organization/business groups where 'these' people hang out! Thanks!!!!

Service based businesses - Chamber of Commerce is a must

Non Profits - I'd look to twitter for those organizations. Many many NonProfits use twitter to get their message out and take particular notice of who follows them

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Joy Wilder
Wilder Office Approach

@ Joy Thanks! Yes I do agree wiht you that for servie based business the chamber of commerce is a must!!! Did not think about Twitter for Non profit thanks for the tip!

You're very welcome! Glad to help. Please let us know how it goes....and of your success! :-)

Gabrielle

I am joining a large chamber of commerce near my office. I don't have my whole business all put together yet but I've attended a few networking meetings and am surprised by the positive response so far.
Marketing is one thing but getting out and finding clients will pay the bills.

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Kim Adamof
Inbound Marketing Virtual Assistant dot com