Hi ... just wondering if anyone who wants to take on some local clients has ever tried canvassing local businesses with your marketing materials to see if any companies need office help. If so, what kind of response did you meet with? I'm new at the VA business but have years of in-person cold calling experience, so I'm thinking this might be a quick way to get some clients.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

When I first opened my doors, I walked into a few local real estate agencies with a nice brochure and some business cards. Granted, I was still quite 'green' and had not at that point been a member of Virtual Assistant Forums. I didn't know anything about an elevator speech or that I should have offered to give a demonstration of my services.

As a result I never got one call and foolishly, I never followed up.

Later on, I did meet several other local business owners at varying functions who were interested in my services but they really wanted someone to come to their offices. So I never followed up on those either.

Right around that time I started to market virtually and began to build a clientele on my own from around the country. So I never needed to pursue again any local businesses again.

"If I knew then, what I know now"...well, I probably would have been much more successful.

My feeling is that there is a good market for local business and if you have the cold-calling experience (which I didn't have), then I say, 'why not'...Go for it!

There are many VAs here who attend local functions and often receive a bevy of clients just from giving one presentation.

Good luck!

Janine

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Zippy,

It really depends on what you offer and where you live. I know some VA's who live in small towns and there isn't a market there for what they offer, or if there is, the market can't afford them so they lower their rates.

Also, I personally wouldn't "canvas" an area, but instead maybe target 5 - 10 offices per day. But then again, this may be an area thing as well.

Whatever you decide, make sure you're ready to answer a lot of questions and get a lot of "no's"!

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April Sullivan
The REVA Academy

Originally Posted by Balancing Act

Zippy, It really depends on what you offer and where you live. I know some VA's who live in small towns and there isn't a market there for what they offer, or if there is, the market can't afford them so they lower their rates. Also, I personally wouldn't "canvas" an area, but instead maybe target 5 - 10 offices per day. But then again, this may be an area thing as well. Whatever you decide, make sure you're ready to answer a lot of questions and get a lot of "no's"!

Thanx for the info! I always wondered this myself. I have business cards but no brochures, of which I would like to have someday soon, hopefully. My biggest pitch is that I am (almost) and MBA in Accounting and I have been doing accounting/bookkeeping for over 25 years and my GPA is amazing so that has got to tell the client something! I am going to start doing the "cold canvassing" thing because where I live, there are a bevy of small companies who I know could use the help in the bookkeeping/accounting arena and I could be that one person they have been looking for! Thanx again!!

Good luck! I'm eager to find out how you go, as a VA still in the beginning stages it would be great to learn from your experience.

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Stephanie

I walked my neighborhood businesses with brochures and business cards one rainy afternoon a few weeks ago. No response so far. Sadly that doesn't make it any worse than any of the other advertising methods I've tried so far.

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Bernat Virtual Assistance, I Make My Clients Shine!

This isn't quite the same thing, but it kind of is. Years ago when I use to sell health insurance to small business owners, the company I worked for had us do something called, "Walk and Talk." The idea was to stop in and see a business owner and ask for an appointment to talk with them about our insurance. Of course you'd talk to them about your services. We were not to talk to them at that time but only set up an appointment. The theory was that it showed we were busy but could find time for them as well. We would say something like, "I am in the area on another appointment and had a few minutes to stop in to see if you'd like to set up an appointment."

It doesn't sound like much, and I didn't want to do it because I felt more comfortable setting appointments on the phone, but I have to say it sure worked.

At the time I was making about $600 a week and the week I tried the Walk and Talk I made $5,500. Hmm...maybe it works after all. Just something to think about.

Beth

Originally Posted by On_Time_Virtual_Assistant

"I am in the area on another appointment and had a few minutes to stop in to see if you'd like to set up an appointment."

What a terrific idea! It tells them I'm busy, whets their appetite, and gives them a chance to collect their thoughts on what they need since I'll be leaving a flyer. I'm going to give this a shot. Thanks!

You know, I think I'm going to try the Walk & Talk. I had a (free!) session with a personal coach this morning. She suggested that I schedule 15-30 minute free consultations with potential clients to encourage them to think about what they could outsource to a VA and what they could do with that time.

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Bernat Virtual Assistance, I Make My Clients Shine!

I think there are a couple of reasons it is successful. One, you're not asking them to do anything at that moment. All you're asking for is a few minutes on another day. Secondly, it is much harder for someone to say no to your face.

When you ask for the appointment, another sales tack is to give them two options for the appointment. Don't leave it open ended or up to them. Say something like:

Would Tuesday at 10:00 am or Wednesday at 2:00 pm be better for you?

They are much more likely to select one if you give them options instead of just asking for an appointment "sometime".

Beth