I'm curious to know if anyone has ever marketed thier business by visiting companies on a whim? If so was there any successes and/or dissapointments?

If not, what are your thoughts?



Sharice

Hello,

While I haven't done marketing in this manner, I imagine it can be effective depending on your approach and target market.

Having worked as front end receptionist for some time, people just stopping by to drop off materials rarely ever got a chance to speak with the person in charge (I wouldn't let them, my boss was busy and didn't want to be bothered) -- so keep that in mind and also it has nothing to do with you.

Also having worked in a real estate office, I know several Realtors that would hit the pavement during the early evening hours (usually in the spring or summer), talk with homeowners and get their name out there. Again, depending on your approach and your target market, it certainly is something you could try. The best thing about marketing is finding out what works best for you and your business.

Have you gone to networking events? Networking in your community (if you are targeting community businesses) is another great option and one many VAs opt to take part in and are quite successful.

Good Luck!

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

You brought up a great point about possibly not having an opporunity to speak with the decision maker of an office. The other set back could be that as soon as the receptionist reads my literature should could very well toss it, as she'll probably think I'm trying to take her job! (ha, ha)

I do have plans to join the local chamber, and get involved in social networking events.

Thanks Darlene

When my business partner and I first started out we did try to market to the local businesses by stopping and dropping off literature however we did not get any responses as like Darlene said, most often we met with the receptionist. Actually most of our business has come from word of mouth and just talking about what we do. We even got a job from one of the local optometrists when my business partner had her eyes examined!

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Tammy Bryce
www.virtualhorizons.ca

Sahrice - It's a good question, but I think networking groups and chambers are the best route for local business. And making the effort to connect with local folks is a great idea. There are so many possibilities on the web that small businesses aren't taking advantage of.

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

I have to agree with the others....it is hard to get past the front office in alot of places, I know because I still have a part-time JOB and you have to get past me to get anywhere. If you decide to give it a try...you can also show up with some bagels, cookies or candy this time of year to soften up the front desk

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

Thank you all for your responses. This is pretty much what I suspected. Deb, that's a good idea. I also work (full-time), and it's always nice to get goodies!

Thanks again for the feedback!

I tried the local business approach with warm brownies just from the oven to go along with my literature. The office people dug the brownies, but were not interested in my elevator speech. I felt very discouraged and would rather spend an hour at a networking event than feeling like an annoyance.

On the other hand, one of my clients does a majority of her marketing by visiting local businesses and she does great job! I guess it all depends on the person. I probably looked desperate and scared. LOL

Dawn

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Dawn Lawson | At Your Service
http://freelanceadminsupport.com

Dawn, I felt your pain reading your feedback. I can see how that can be very discouraging. I guess you have to have thick skin to withstand that. People who are in sales might have better luck...I'm certainly not a sales person. I think I may avoid that all together.

Thanks again!

Sharice

LOL, Thanks Sharice. I didn't mean to discourage you. I'm not the sales type either. I can't be pushy. It makes me very uncomfortable. I don't like asking people for anything but advice. That's just who I am. I'm a giver, not a taker which doesn't work well when you're trying to be assertive.

Dawn

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Dawn Lawson | At Your Service
http://freelanceadminsupport.com