You need to start looking in the right places so that others can see you or find you.

Networking is key in running a business - any type of business. And that's not just hanging around forums like this one online but hanging around forums with prospective clients - both online and offline. Veteran VAs can only hand out so much work - they can't support every new VA that comes along, sorry. And you'll find that many of them have already built a network of newer VAs around them. Sorry, don't want to make you feel that you've missed the boat - you haven't, but you need to be thinking like business people.

Hanging around your peers is great for learning from but not for finding clients. There is a section here where jobs are posted but you would do well joining a couple of other VA networks as well that provide client leads - you need to spread yourselves around and not depend on just one place for possible work.

Also, you'll find on this forum a discussion about LinkedIn - this is the perfect hunting ground for clients so go and mix and mingle. People need to know you exist for them to ask you to do work for them. LinkedIn has around 14 million professionals as members - do you think you might find one or two clients there? Same with other places such as MySpace, FaceBook, Spock and heaps of other places. But spend time getting to know people first - and let them get to know you. Relationship building is so important.

Locate local business networks near where you live. When I first started the internet wasn't an option, i.e. I started my business before the internet entered the business scene. My clients came from personal contacts, word-of-mouth referrals, my printed newsletter, my business card being passed on and so on.

If you don't yet know who your target client is then seek out networking groups that have lots of different businesses in them, such as Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, BNI and so on. But if you do know your target audience, then seek out their networking events, such as industry based association events.

Originally Posted by nottsf

I am new at this too, and what I am about to suggest .... I am just in the process of doing, so I am not sure what will come of it yet. That said, I am going to be mailing out my brochure and a letter to some local non-profits this coming week. I plan to volunteer some time to provide general data entry and corespondence for them. I may not get a paying client immediately from it, but at least I can hopefully do some networking and get references that I can provide future clients.

You are thinking right. Volunteering is a great way to let people know you exist and what you are capable of. And providing support to not-for-profits is a great niche are to work in. It's known as 'Association Management' and I did this for 10 years in my business - all because someone contacted me back in 1997 to find out if I knew someone who could... when I looked at the list of things they needed doing I knew I could do them and took on the role. That was the start of a new role for me and one I loved. I looked after 4 different NFPs during the following 10 years.

I think Kathie gave great advice. I haven't started full on networking yet, but just from reading this forum, I am seeing how it would be of great value. Not just for jobs either but for have contact and support from your business area.

Originally Posted by pdxblueskie

I think Kathie gave great advice. I haven't started full on networking yet, but just from reading this forum, I am seeing how it would be of great value. Not just for jobs either but for have contact and support from your business area.

You know the interesting thing about networking is that it is 2-sided. That means as well as finding clients for your own business you actually find resources for your own business as well. Others who are also seeking clients (you) can provide (you) services and resources for your business.

So, through networking I have built up a reliable resource of printers, stationery supplies, insurance brokers, a travel organiser, computer support, and so many other things. All of these suppliers equally have business needs too so some of those I've been able to provide support to, but moreso, they've had clients who need what I can supply so it widens the circle for networking and finding clients.

There is some awesome advice here! Thank you, Kathie, for providing some excellent steps to take when networking for your business.

I belong to our local Chamber of Commerce, as well as to BNI, which is a great referral networking organization. As a matter of fact, I joined BNI under a different profession, but several in the group knew I had been an Executive Assistant for 20 years, and asked me to do some admin work for them. I did, they were thrilled, hence, my new business! Now, the President of our chapter is my first client - through his business, not BNI. It really does work!

Diane

Just chanced upon Kathie's blog about using LinkedIn : http://soho-life.com/blog/category/linkedin/

You might want to read it to take the next step forward. Thanks again Kathie!

Originally Posted by myemployee

Just chanced upon Kathie's blog about using LinkedIn : http://soho-life.com/blog/category/linkedin/ You might want to read it to take the next step forward. Thanks again Kathie!

You are most welcome! I enjoy using LinkedIn - it's been a great tool.

Kathie gives great advice. Especially when she talks about networking in places where you can find potential clients. Contributing to VA forums is great and it offers an opportunity to gain a wealth of knowledge about the industry, but if you know your niche and target market you need to go to their networking events and/or forums to market your services to them.

Wow. I just joined and already the amount of information that I have soaked up is great. I hadn't even really given much thought to these things and now i find myself sitting back and really thinking.

Thanks

Originally Posted by mandanicole

Wow. I just joined and already the amount of information that I have soaked up is great. I hadn't even really given much thought to these things and now i find myself sitting back and really thinking. Thanks

That's what we're all here for - to help one another and learn from one another. Glad to see you're benefiting already!