Ok, so I have a problem. A good problem. I put the cart before the horse, and I'm not sure I am ready. I posted my web site last night and sent out about 150 emails to real esate agents that I know. I have gotten 4 emails and 2 calls today saying they are interested in my services. YEA!!! However, I have no idea where to go from here. I thought it would be days or weeks before my first interested client. I don't want to over kill at the first meeting. Any sugestions as to what would be good to bring to them? I thought about a general flyer of my services, a contract of course, and purhapse a price list. Any help or suggestios as to what you do when you meet a potential client would be great.
Thanks,
Tracie

Think of it as a job interview, but you are interested in each hiring the other! You are a business owner now, not an employee

Dress professionally, bring your services flyer, contract, price list, and a strong sense of "I can do this, I am GOOD at what I do" confidence. You'll be fine!

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

All of the things you mentioned bringing are superb and right on target. Also, carry along a sense of purpose and *know* that you are skilled enough, good enough, smart enough, etc. to handle these meetings, contract the clients, and forge ahead into an amazing and wonderful start to your new practice.

Everything happens for a reason. You put up your site and sent out emails so the universe is saying 'Ok! You're ready? Let's go...'
Take the opportunity and run with it - you'll be fabulous!!

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Wow! I wish I had that kind of luck! Big time congrats! Ditto to the above.

Personally I am a PowerPoint presentation nut and I get my messages across best that way. When I do, I always provide an optional copy of the presentation for my intended audience. Just make sure you do not do the print job with the quick notes

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Lisa George
Remote Admin Services
Web:http://remoteadminservices.com
Blog:http://remoteadminservices.wordpress.com

A second all the responses! I remember my first client meeting. I had to take a train in to the city and then hail a taxi, both of which I never do on my own. Needless to say I was scared! I brought my business card, brochure, FAQ and introductory letter and put them all in a nice folder (the ones the kids use for school, but the really nice ones!) I printed up a large label with my logo on it and affixed it to the folder. I then put the folder in to a manilla file folder and typed a label for the file folder with my company name on it! The client loved it and immediately put the file in to his active files location!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

Doreen, I've never had to meet a client in person BUT if I did, you did this exactly the way I envision I'd like to handle it myself (in terms of presentation). I call this 'Martha Stewart-ing the heck out of everything' and it works - packaging is everything

Make it look professional, show that you took the time and it will make an impact 10 times out of 10 - no exceptions.

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Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I liked the idea of a Power Point Presentation myself, Power Point lovers unite! However, my laptop is not the best and I feel it would hurt the presentation more then help since it tends to shut down a lot. ( I work on my desktop).
Perhaps putting it onto a disk for them would be a nice thing for a leave behind. We once had a Hone Inspector drop by very professional Cd's in nice cases to everyone. That was sort of a waste of funds, however maybe for the ones that expressed interest. What do you think?
Also Doreen, I loved the idea of the folder with the label. And the file folder brilliant!! I will definitely use your idea there.

Originally Posted by Tess

Doreen, I've never had to meet a client in person BUT if I did, you did this exactly the way I envision I'd like to handle it myself (in terms of presentation). I call this 'Martha Stewart-ing the heck out of everything' and it works - packaging is everything Make it look professional, show that you took the time and it will make an impact 10 times out of 10 - no exceptions.

Tess,
If you have never met a client in person, I am curious to know what you would do when asked to do so? That is by someone local of course. I am marketing to the Real Estate agents that I already know, and then the rest in my local city. Eventually maybe I'll get some leads off the internet. But for now since I live in the city I am marketing to, I feel I will be asked this again.
I would prefer not to do so. However, I am unsure how to answer the locals when they ask for a meeting in person.
Thanks

I think it all depends on what you are comfortable with. If you don't want to meet them in person then just treat them the same as you would any virtual client. Explain to them that you are a virtual assistant and that you only work virtually, and you can set-up a virtual conference with them rather than meeting in-person.

However, I do meet local clients and I even do on-site projects for some. I think my situation is different than most in that I am single with no kids, so honestly, being at home 24/7 gets REALLY boring. So, I actually look forward to the times when I can go to a clients office, but I don't do it all the time. Also, I am still at the stage where I can't afford to pass up work and a possible referral.

For instance, I met a guy online who was local wanted me to come out and organize his office (17 years worth of unorganized work). He was so happy to be able to see the floor in his office again, he has been telling people all about the "professional organizer" he hired. So, I've been getting other calls about my "organization services". I've actually had to explain to people that I am not a professional organizer, but it has been a great opportunity to tell people about virtual assistance and getting the word out about my business.

So, be careful about the opportunities you may be passing up. You might consider meeting a couple of them in person to explain to them how the work can be done "virtually" and educate them on why it is not necessary for you to have to come in to their office and show them how the virtual method can save them time. Once you get a couple people on board they will spread the word for you. They will tell their colleagues all about the Virtual Assistant they hired and how much time you have saved them and how easy it is to work virtually.

I have run into a lot of people that think the concept of a VA is great, but they just don't understand how it works.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Hear hear! I typed up a "How to work with TVOG" flyer for the purpose of explaining HOW I can do bookkeeping virtually.

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