Crunch time! I know there are several threads and tips to get clients but I need work immediately. Finances are dry. I have no intentions of giving up building my VA biz but I am going to need "supplement" until it gets growing. So my question of the day is: In dry periods what do you do to bring in money? I might apply for some part time jobs but if I can freelance (in whatever definition that may be) I will do that. So what are your secrets?
Thanks,
Diana

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Diana Buchanan
When You Don't Have the Time

Diana, did you ever think of affiliate marketing or some other kind of 'passive income'? There is a lot of information about that. Or how about informational products? A lot of people do that along with their VA business. I am an affiliate for one company. Christina Hill has a new affiliate program coming up soon. If you need information on that let me know. Some of these programs do require an investment. The company I am with I did not have to invest though. Christina Hill's program sounded good, I attended her webinar on it.

I read your post yesterday about the brick & mortar business in town. Are you thinking about putting together a special marketing kit geared toward that? I think I would call and get some information and try to get an appointment first. I think that would be a good fit for you. As far as part-time jobs just to bring in some money, by me, the big food stores always seem to be looking for people. Esp around the holidays, even now all the kids are back in school. Are there any small businesses by you? I went to this consignment shop last week, not your typical consignments. These are nicely made products. I heard the owner on the phone talking to someone saying she had no time to make out an invoice. When I heard that I picked up her flyer. I am going to work on making a flyer after I photograph her building. Then I am going to include that with my marketing kit and get that back to her. I noticed her son and mother working in the store with her. She was so busy she was someone who would really need VA help. Lastly, did you try looking at http://www.wahm.com.
Or even Tory Johnson?
Jo

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Jo-Carole,
I am interested in additional information about affiliate marketing...I'm always afraid I'll get sucked into some scam. Where is the best place to find additional information...and, what do I need to look (out) for?

Any assistance is appreciated.
Dee

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www.GalFriDee.com
...Your Virtual Right Hand

Also, if you have a craft or something that you can create and sell, try eBay. I sell handbags on eBay. There is also a free site that allows you to sell your crafts and it gives you a free store it is called eCrater. There are many ways to supplement your income stream.

If you are good at creating forms, sell them! You can do that on eCrater as well.

Good luck,
Andrea~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

My only recommendations is to just do as much free advertising as you can. Sites like Craigslist have provided me a few clients, short and long term. Look for classified ads and try those.

Contact local business associations and see if you can present your business and hand out business cards at their next meeting.

Depending on what your services or niche is, see if there is a compatible business that you can contact. For example, if you provide bookkeeping, I have received the occassional overflow projects from local CPAs.

Hope that helps a bit and good luck

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Vivi Gonzalez
www.VirtualBusinessPartners.com

Thank you Andrea.. I have never heard of eCrater..

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Debra Hayter
Seaboard Business Services

Diana, I don't know if you're interested but Dekota is looking for transcriptionists. If you're interested here is the link I would say go ahead and PM her. I know the spots are filling up quickly though.

http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...ded-asap-14283

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William McKeever
Maven Office Solutions