It looks like a lot of you attend local social networking opportunities with success. Did you start doing this right away or did you work up to it? As I start my venture I am only looking for part-time work. I also don't feel the confidence yet to walk into one of these venues but I'm hoping in time this will change.

Do I still have a chance of initial success with other forms of marketing?

Thanks in advance,

Wendy

I guess if you're ready and you find some associations that you think you'd benefit from I don't see why not. You can attend some meetings that you'd think you can learn business tips from and if you meet a potential client great and if not that's fine too. I took a sewing class last week and the teacher might be a potential client. You never know where your clients will come from. What other forms of marketing are you thinking about?

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Janice Correa-Elite Business Services
"My Business is Your Business!"
www.elitebusinessonline.com

To start I was planning on a Craigslist Ad, Press Release, Placing flyers on local community boards and Postcard/Tri-fold campaign to targeted businesses. While I feel comfortable in an one-on-one situation, getting in front of a group and explaning my services seems scary

I am currently only working part-time on Goddess as I also have a 9-5.

I started the way you are planning but I also attended networking groups right away. I practiced explaining myself and my company in the mirror until I felt comfortable w/not stuttering! You might consider joining a local 'toastmasters' group to learn to be more at ease in group situations...

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

I would suggest starting with in-person networking right away if for no other reason that to get comfortable with it. Try to find some more low-key meetings like mixers. If you start practicing now you may get some clients but you will get practice so when you're ready to focus on in-person networking more you'll be a pro.

I know a lot of people have success advertising the says you mentioned but I didn't. I have always had more success with networking.

Good luck.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

Of course you do! I rarely do local marketing and have much success within my business! You have to do what feels right for you. If you are feeling less then confident right now then work on your confidence by practicing your elevator speech in front of the mirror or in front of someone close to you. Maybe write up some scripts and practice with them first.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I agree with Dawn that you should write up what you'd say and practice it, out loud, perhaps in front of family and friends. It is a bit scary but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I was scared to death when I first started it. Now I kind of enjoy it. And I have two regular clients I got by attending networking groups regularly.

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Sue L Canfield
AwesomeAssistant.info
My Blog

I started going to workshops and networking meeting at our local Women’s Business Center when I was in the idea of a business stage. They have a once a month Lunch & Learn networking event. Bring or pre-order a lunch, have a speaker on a topic, then about 30 min for networking afterwards. It was my first experience with an elevator speech , which I didn’t know they did every month LOL. Made it through the first meeting. Met a lady there that took my information. (I didn’t even have business cards at the time.) She became my first client about 6 months later. Worked for me but I want to be local as well as virtual. I’m with you though; I’m more comfortable talking 1 to 1 than in a group of people.

When you practice what you want to tell people about your business be sure to keep it short, about ½ to 1 min max. Practice & tweak it often.

Originally Posted by oregonva

To start I was planning on a Craigslist Ad, Press Release, Placing flyers on local community boards and Postcard/Tri-fold campaign to targeted businesses. While I feel comfortable in an one-on-one situation, getting in front of a group and explaning my services seems scary

I think all your ideas are great. You should try a bunch of different things to see what works for you. Speaking in front of a group is not as bad as you think. Like another poster said, practice your elevator speech in front of a mirror until you feel confortable with it. Networking events can be a good time if you do decide to try it. I got a book out of the library "Professional Networking for Dummies" and thought it was very informative. Maybe if you read it you would get inspired. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Janice Correa-Elite Business Services
"My Business is Your Business!"
www.elitebusinessonline.com

I think you should try the local networking. The elevator speech gets better and easier with time. As networking people will tell you, it takes about 10 impressions to get to know someone well enough to bring them into your circle, so things take time and you need to start. Sure enough, one of the people I ran into at 6 or 7 different Chamber events in about 6 weeks is now one of my LinkedIn contacts and invited me to join the leads group she's in. (Leads groups are still a bit intimidating to me, but I see the potential for growth.) These things also help you build credibility.

The most surprising thing to me when I started going to networking events is how much other business people want to help you succeed.

Well, I'm off to a networking mixer tonight. I was invited by someone I met at another networking event. Networking seems to snowball.