Hello,

Has anyone heard of or familiar with this new company California Virtual Assistants? http://www.californiavirtualassistants.com

I don't like they charge a monthly fee and I don't really need or want most of what they are offering with their set up fees.

http://www.californiavirtualassistants.com/join-us.html

But, I am struggling to find clients and worried I might have to look for another job soon.

Just thought I'd see if anyone else has checked them out.

Thanks!

Holly

Holly, I have never heard of this agency so all I can offer is a 'what I would do'....

Relative to their $40 setup fee - you can get 250 FREE business cards from VistaPrint [all you pay for is shipping]

You can get a FREE toll free line that will forward to your home phone. I think it's called Toll Free Forwarding [.com] but you can check the Phone, VOIP, Fax, Email section for more options.

You can get a FREE website from Microsoft Office Live - even so, I recommend at least buying your own domain [yourcompany.com] for around $7 a year [check GoDaddy]

When you purchase your own domain and a decent hosting package you'll have as many you@yourcompany.com emails as you like.

As to the $10 monthly fee.... I assume they expect to receive RFPs, but I don't see much SEO on their site so I don't really know how many they can possibly be getting. Is there a place you can preview the RFPs to at least see how frequent they are?

They don't rank in Google for what I would assume to be their keyphrase 'california virtual assistant'... not to say they won't in the future.

You can get a FREE account at ClientSpot [I believe they still have free long term basic accounts] that will allow you to have a project management hub. Their first tier paid option is really affordable if and when you need such a thing. You can learn more about Client Spot right here at VAF: ClientSpot

In any case, if it was me and I was in startup phase, needing clients, etc. I would get a website set up, and start working on my marketing efforts.

As a new business owner you should be spending the same amount of time on marketing and networking that you would be spending on clients if you had them. If you plan to average six hours a day working in and on your business - start now. Spend six hours a day getting things in place, marketing, networking, looking for RFPs to answer, building relationships on Twitter and in your local community.

Ultimately, I believe that spending the time and effort to find and connect with your own clients is well worth it.

Just my two cents Hope it helps a bit!

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Hi Tess,

Thanks for your comments and suggestions! I do have a website, business cards, a skype number and my @domain email, which is why the $40 seems like a waste of money to me.

I have definitely been spending time marketing and networking and I guess just need to keep going!

I had a feeling this website either might be something to check out if and when they are more established or not at all due to their fees.

I will check out Clientspot. Yes, your two cents does help : )

Holly

Re: the website, business cards, etc. - sorry, I didn't see a signature with your posts so assumed you didn't have those in place yet.

Re: marketing, etc. yes - wish there was a magic bullet to offer but I'm afraid that's what it boils down to.

There is a really fabulous book by C.J. Hayden [she has been a chat guest here a few times] called Get Clients Now! It's a 28 day 'program' that you follow and it helps you fine tune your marketing, etc. it's a great book - you can read the VAF review and see other members' replies/opinions here: Get Clients NOW! - A 28 Day Marketing Program

Good luck!

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Thanks Tess, I value your suggestions. I will check out the book.

Quote:

As a new business owner you should be spending the same amount of time on marketing and networking that you would be spending on clients if you had them. If you plan to average six hours a day working in and on your business - start now. Spend six hours a day getting things in place, marketing, networking, looking for RFPs to answer, building relationships on Twitter and in your local community.

Tess,
I think this is excellent information and advice for those of us new to starting a business. Thank you for sharing.

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Sylvia Mesaros
The Alliances

Holly,

I just checked out the site. If I asked my subcontractors to pay me a fee I would not have any! My suggestions to all who are here is take the $10/month and get an account on Virtual Assistantville. You have your own page (rocking SEO included) and you have access to RFP's as they come in.

As for the other freebies, well Tess addressed those quite well. As for clients, they will come with some good marketing efforts. I still spend quality time each week networking even though I have enough business to fill me day. I use the You Never Know approach.

You can also go the Service Offered are on the boards and put yourself out there to subcontract for those who need help.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Hi

I love the information she provided below. So right on the money!

>>As a new business owner you should be spending the same amount of time on marketing and networking that you would be spending on clients if you had them. If you plan to average six hours a day working in and on your business - start now. Spend six hours a day getting things in place, marketi

It's almost like you can't lose if you do that. You are investing in your business. The only thing I'd like to add is to make sure you have a great website. When you market it's so important that it leads them to your site and when they go there and are immediately impressed, BAMM, potential client.

It might help too to have a marketing plan. I will often when I need to market my business develop a weekly plan. Today I will do this, tomorrow ..., etc. It really works and keeps me on task and focused.

Good luck!

Diana Ennen / www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Hi Lee - thanks for your comments! I am already on Virtual Assistantville. I knew in my gut about this website and really was not planning on joining, but I figured I would put it out there in case anyone knew anything different.

As usual Tess your information is wonderful, thanks so much for all you do!