Hello,

After two years in business, I am new to the Virtual Assistant Forums and am looking forward to interacting and learning from everyone.

I am located in Maryland and would love to learn how many VA's out there have a good local base of clients.

I just spent money on local advertising and am not sure how beneficial it is going to be, so any advice is welcome.

Look forward to chatting.

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Shelley R. Drasal
Your Faithful Assistant

Welcome to the forums, Shelley! I don't have much advice for you on maintaining a local base, yet, as I am just starting my business and only have had a couple clients, so far. However, there is a lost of experience here and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice from all the great VA's on this site.

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Jennifer Simons - Girl Monday
www.girlmondaysf.com

Try using the Search feature (located on the upper right) to find info on marketing, advertising, and promotion right here on VAF. Glad you found us!

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

Thanks All, I appreciate your feedback.

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Shelley R. Drasal
Your Faithful Assistant

Hi Shelley,

Welcome to the board I am a newbie as well!! I will hopefully be in relocating to MD in 6-8 months in the Takoma Park/Silver Springs area. Not sure for local advertising as I a newbie however I am wishing much success.

Warmest Regards,

Mae

Hello and welcome Shelley It's wonderful to have you here!

You've found an awesome network of virtual assistants, so don't hesitate to jump in with your own questions and comments.

All of my clients have always been on the opposite coast or in other countries so I can't speak to the local client base question - but the great thing about being virtual is you don't have to limit yourself.

Out of curiosity, what type of local advertising did you do? I've heard from VAs who have tried mailings, newspaper ads, and even radio advertisements - with mixed results. Some of the best I've heard have come from local networking in person at a BNI group, small business meetups, and the local Chamber of Commerce so those might be some directions to try if you're really wanting to build up a local client base.

I'll look forward to hearing more from you!

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Hi Shelley and Welcome! At this time I have 4 existing clients from my local area. I'm building websites, doing admin, and consulting with a fast food restaurant to bring in more business by using social media, helping out in their restaurant (!), and being as friendly as I can when a customer walks in their doors to order some great take out!

I was connected with my clients by walk-ins and joining my local chamber of commerce. I live in a small town, so word does travel quickly here.

I also am networking with groups nearby (25 to 75 mile radius) and have picked up another client from attending one of the networking events. I have two networking events next week.

Local is good for me, and I am also subcontracting to other VA's when the opportunity arrives...I strive to be 'at the ready' as best I can.

Good luck to you and building your business.

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Terri Williams, Assisting the small business owner
www.terripwilliams.com

Hello Welcome to the VAF forum, you have come to right place.

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Netobia's Virtual Solutions
www.netobiasvirtualsolutions.c om