I was wondering where you have had luck finding clients. I mean location-wise. I would love to meet clients face-to-face, I just don't where to physically go! I don't think going door to door would be too effective, but if there are places where I could go to find small business owners, that would be great. Thanks!

I use Meetup to find networking groups that cater towards my target market. Then I pick a few and go and attend. All with the intention of sharing what I do, but learning most about what the people I meet do.

Some people suggest your local chamber of commerce, Rotary, or Lions club......for me I haven't found those to be all that beneficial and interestingly I'm not a huge fan of BNI (Business Network International) either. I generally look for female entrepreneur groups as that's my target market.

Probably even doing a google search for networking groups in your area might work as well.

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Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
eMail Marketing & Aweber Training Starts May 15! - Save 50% using VAFAweber

Originally Posted by reneeshupe

I use Meetup to find networking groups that cater towards my target market. Then I pick a few and go and attend. All with the intention of sharing what I do, but learning most about what the people I meet do. Some people suggest your local chamber of commerce, Rotary, or Lions club......for me I haven't found those to be all that beneficial and interestingly I'm not a huge fan of BNI (Business Network International) either. I generally look for female entrepreneur groups as that's my target market. Probably even doing a google search for networking groups in your area might work as well.

Meetup is a good resource and very popular. For sure try there!

Who is your target market?

For Financial Advisers, go to a NAIFA meeting.
For Realtors, go to an association meeting.
For Attorneys, go online to your local bar website, and go to a class.
In fact, for ANY target market, find a local class and attend. It doesn't have to be a university class, it can be a local community class.

I agree with Renee; BNI is not always a good resource; it is a great organization, however you have to realize that every member there goes to a meeting for a different reason. Some DO go to pass referrals, but others go to socialize, others do it because they are out of home workers and want to see another human face, and others go looking for luv - I've been asked out for dates 3 times (Even though I'm married :P).

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Warmest Regards,
Stephanie - Essential Pursuit, Inc.

You could frequent the stores/suppliers that your target market shops. Like going to parts stores first thing in the morning. And if you aren't ready to approach people you could ask to leave some brochures or business cards on the counter.

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Teressa@Reese Virtual Assistant
www.reeseva.com

Originally Posted by reneeshupe

I use Meetup to find networking groups that cater towards my target market. Then I pick a few and go and attend. All with the intention of sharing what I do, but learning most about what the people I meet do.

Meetup - thanks for the great suggestion, Renee.

I'm a member of a local Chamber & BNI. I joined a few months ago, & both have already provided me with one client each, which hasn't quite paid off my membership fees, but almost.

Also, the benefit of giving your elevator speech once a week (BNI), has really paid off! I can now easily spout off two or three versions, depending on who I'm in front of.

I go to other networking events, too. Before I opened my business, I scoffed when I read some VAs stating that they spend the equivalent of an hour a day on marketing. Now, I spend at least that.

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

I post on Craigs List, also send out Post Cards introducing our Agency, Meet Up, Attend Business Association meetings for my area. You need to figure out what your niche market is. For us one of those was the Buiding Contractor area. Keep focused on your goals our economy is taking a hard road to recovery. Your services for those businesses will now more than ever be a way to look into outsourcing.

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Born Free Concierge
Robert & Kathy Neubauer

Has anyone heard about "clickworker.com?" Not sure it's for real. Could be a scam. Does anyone know or has anyone had any real work through them?

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Carrie Hawk

When I get sick of working at home, I take my laptop down to my local coffee shop and work there. And I see tons of other people doing the same thing. There's always one or two people talking loudly on their phone about some crucial business problem or mix-up. It makes me think coffee shops would be a great place to meet clients and put up fliers.

Eris

I just googled clickworker and found out a lot of information. Most people saw it's a scam. Some people worked for a little while for little or no pay.

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Carrie Hawk