Which marketing method got your first clients? - Virtual Assistant Forums

gemini · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010

Hi there

I am a few weeks of launching my new VA business. With so many marketing options out there, I'm very curious about how people actually obtained their first, say, 3 clients? Word of mouth? Advertising? Other?

I just can't imagine anybody reading an ad and actually contacting me to become my first client and kicking off my business - so I'm just interested in how others obtained first clients.

Thanks
Angela

leedrozak · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010

My first was someone I had worked with in the past, the second and third were word of mouth (from F2F event) and answered an RFP. I find what works for me is participation in events, groups and social media. However, this method takes time to build the relationships. I am a people person so it is easy for me and it gets me out of the "office".

Sharon Clark · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010

I got my first long term client by responding to an ad for a part time bookkeeper, and talked them into hiring my company instead of me.

My second client came by way of advertising and the next few came from referrals.

You will find something that works for you based on what you enjoy doing ie people person attending events etc.

Good luck and have fun!

gemini · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010

Thanks ladies for your replies. Lee, last night I actually started searching job websites here in Australia to find some part time admin jobs that I could contact direct and try to get them to hire me instead - most are through recruitment agencies though so I don't hold much hope of getting clients that way. Will keep trying thoughl.

VersatileAssistant · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010

I met my first client at the first networking event I attended, a female only networking group and we were both there as guests. We both didn't go back as it was a pretty dull group! The next one came from a free website ad I posted, on a site a bit like the Gumtree. Then most referrals came from word of mouth or website enquiries once it had been up and running for a while.

It does take some settling in time to find out what works best for you - good luck!

AnnaLisa Michalski · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010

Hi Angela,

Smart thinking. Advertising and marketing can be both expensive and extremely time-consuming, so it's good to have this in front of you before you take the plunge.

My first three were (1) an old friend and (2-3) people whose RFPs I answered. Since then, it has been all RFPs and referrals.

I've made new contacts through marketing, but not new clients. But then again, once I got my hours filled, I stopped spending a lot of time on ad/mark. anyway. So that's not to say it isn't effective at all. It's something I do very little of now.

The Perfect Word · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010

I've been a local-only VA and have just started researching going outside my local area. Believe it or not, my first client, who was with me for many, many years, contacted me through my business card that I had put up on a grocery store bulletin board! We "stayed together" through her move to NC and then her move to CA, so I guess even though she started out "local," she didn't stay that way! Then it was through yellow page advertising, and then referrals from current clients.

amylynn · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-2010

My first client was a referfal by my friend. My fingers are crossed for clients #2 &3!

JKVirtualOffice · #9 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

My first project client was a close personal friend and my first retainer client just found me through my website somehow. And I think my third client was through an RFP. The rest of my clients have all come either via referral, social media contact or from my website.

executive_assist · #10 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

My first client I got by word of mouth (my own!) when I let my landlord know that I will be offering my services. He also has a home renovation business. My second is subcontracting with another REVA on here, and I have numbers 3 through 5 hovering in the wings. Number 3 I am presenting to on Thursday. I subcontracted my services before I knew I was a VA to my old broker when I lived in Florida. So I guess, technically, he and his wife were my first client.
I forgot to mention that numbers 3 through 5 are a result of my blog.

The Office Virtuoso · #11 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

My first three "official" clients were results of RFPs.

MondayMorn · #12 (**permalink**) 02-17-2010

In the first 6 months, 95% of my business came from Twitter. For the past 6 months (just had my one year anniversary earlier this month) my business has come from client referrals and Search related (finding me on Google or reading an article about me).

I haven't spent any money on advertising yet, and likely (thankfully) won't have to.

Gal Friday · #13 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

Well I've just mailed out postcards so I'm hoping to gain all 3 first clients from that... keeping my fingers crossed!

DianaEnnen · #14 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

Hi

All of my first three clients came from letters I sent to local businesses (doctors and lawyers as that was my niche back then). That was 25 years ago so I'm not sure that would still be as effective today.

Today most clients come from social networking I do, press releases and articles, & word of mouth. I also have a Google Adword campaign.

Good luck!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

ambertheva · #15 (**permalink**) 02-25-2010

I'm just starting my VA business but I already have two potential clients. I actually obtained them through my personal facebook page. I posted in my status that I was starting my own business as a VA. One was a friend who owns her own business and the other his daughter was a friend of mine and she referred him to me.