Hi VAF Team:

I first thought marketing was going to be pretty straight forward. After reading the forums, I've been a little skeptical about sending out flyers/brochures and thought I might, instead, go the route of an 'E-brochure.'

I'm curious to know if you have found success in terms of gaining clients (new/existing) in one way or another...

What was the best return on your investment (be it time, efforts or money)? Was it:

Mass emailing (brochure, newsletter, general introduction, etc.)
Personal letters in the mail
Word of mouth
Referral
Post card mailing
Brochure/Newsletter mailing
Networking event
Other (please specify)

(Sorry if this thread has already been posted...thought I would be better off starting something new as there may be another avenue that I haven't thought of yet!)

Cheers to you all and much success your way!

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

This is funny but I asked a person for an article and she emailed me back and said, sure not a problem. By the way I need a VA. Since then it has been word of mouth and I really like that.

Sometimes it is the small things that brings a client to you

Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Yep, word of mouth for me too. Take care of your clients, and they'll take care of you.

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Amber Whitener
Virtual IT Assistants

I chose "word of mouth" and "social networking" because the one-off projects and contracts I have gotten have come from both, but they originated from here at the VAF.

Great topic, Kathya!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Since I haven't had the money to send out my cards and I just recently sent out my newsletter I can not comment on those.

I am however, a member and Secretary of two different local free networking groups and the three small clients that I have and the new potential client that I hope to get soon have been from these networking groups.

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.

I think marketing is mysterious (and, perhaps, wonderful) in that you have to do it all, but it's most often some out-of-the-way, unplanned little happenstance that actually brings a customer to you. So 'doing marketing' is really just getting yourself out there, participating, entering the flow of commerce so others notice you and a dialog can begin.

When you're in a crowd, those who impact your experience do so accidentally, as they pass. But it's certain that if you're not in the crowd to begin with, those experiences would not occur. Does that make any sense?

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I agree that word of mouth/referrals are the best source of new clients - and they usually come to you with a good understanding of what you do, which is even better! But for those first or otherwise-won clients I would say networking online - definitely.

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All of my clients have either been people that I already know or word-of-mouth and I haven't been marketing myself at all (yet ). So, that's probably the best form of marketing IMO. Plus, like Tess said, they are probably some of the best clients (again, IMO) because if they've been referred to you they probably already have a good idea of what a VA (and you specifically) do and their insecurities have probably been minimized by the referral source which allows you to get right to work without having to do as much hand holding.

But, I think that online social networking (according to what I've learned, not yet used, mind) is probably a very nice compliment and just as important.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Thanks, VA Team! I like your responses and my gut instincts were right. It's mostly networking and word of mouth. While I like the idea of postcards, mailers, etc., I am very aware that letting people put a face with a name and a business card is key. I'm attending a Girl Power Hour event (networking geared toward women in business) in October and am really excited to do so. I'll give you guys feedback after the event. Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated!

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I have had good luck w/a combination of:
mailing out postcards
word-of-mouth
referrals
putting biz cards in public places
social networking

The word-of-mouth/referrals have had the highest return so far...

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"