Am I being desperate?

[bbSquire]

Well, here it is, nearly the end of August. I've been up and running since April and I still have no clients. I've put ads up on Craigslist and Kijiji. I've sent "press releases" to the local CPA firms. I made sure I'm in yellowpages.ca, canpages.ca and goldbook.com. In desperation I've sent email to 2 companies listing part-time jobs available saying, "have you considered a bookkeeping service?" "Check out my webpage." While not even hinting that they should hire me though. Trying not to be pushy.

I'd just like to know what some of you think about getting an email like that?

Kim.

[Your Virtual Wizard]

I think those methods are fine and the email is fine as well but don't stop there!

Do you participate in social media? Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

I've said this here before...think about volunteering your services locally for a few hours to get the word out about your business. Some churches and synagogues will allow you to place an ad in their weekly bulletin.

Are you on LinkedIn? There are bookkeeping groups you may wish to join and participate in discussion.

I say 'keep going' and don't be discouraged.

Janine

[On My Wings]

Hey Kim -

In seeing what you are saying you are doing for your marketing it would appear you are hitting the absolute MOST ineffective methods for marketing your business. C.J. Hayden - who is someone I know is revered among many here on the forum would say that is one of the absolute last ways you would get business.

C.J. Hayden wrote a book and also has a program called "Get Clients Now!" and it might be a great start for you. The book was $20.00 new at my local Barnes & Noble (I didn't want to wait for it to be mailed)...but you can find used copies online - some I saw as low as $5.00 on amazon.

I saw on another post that you may be thinking about taking a part-time gig. That may have to be something that you do as you learn how to ramp up your business.

I'm assuming that you have followed the Getting Started as a Virtual Assistant packet that is downloadable from this forum?

I know that Get Client's Now will be a great foundation to start from on your marketing. The key thing to remember is that advertising is mostly out and networking is totally in. The old adage that permeates our world is that people do business with people they know, like, and trust. When you just put an ad on Craigslist or in the Yellow Pages - you don't hit even one of those 3 important criteria.

Also, make sure that even if you are feeling desperate (which I truly believe we all feel that way at times - even the most seasoned) - don't let it show! It will come out in your interactions with people as you network and it will have the complete opposite effect. They'll see that and run the other way.

I hope this is helpful. Hang in there and stay encouraged! It will come but you really need to follow tried and true steps from those who have gone before you.

Blessings! Pam

[Business-Bytes]

Hi Kim,

No, you're not being desperate. It took me a few months to get my first client, too.

I would do as Janine said and get connected with LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. I got a client from a referral from Twitter. Very neat!

Have you read The Wealthy Freelancer? I highly recommend it. It gives some great ideas and help regarding all aspects of a "freelance" business. You might find the section on marketing efforts especially helpful, which includes mail marketing, etc. In that regard it gives you help on building your email/mail list and then how to nurture that list.

Have you thought about writing some articles for TVE ezine to further get your name out there? You can contact Lily Chambers (do a search here at VAF for her). That is if you like writing. Or even having an ad in TVE?

If I think of anything else I'll give you a holler.

[AngelicaP33]

Kim,
I too have not landed my first client so don't feel bad because I am sure you are not the only one! I am currently reading the "Get Clients Now" book and hopefully that will get me going! I've been absent from this forum for awhile because I was planning my wedding, getting married and moving! So, now that all that's done with...I can concentrate on finding some clients! Good Luck to you!

[kathiemt]

Kim are you networking? I don't mean just at VA forums but elsewhere - and not just online. You need to be mixing and mingling amongst your potential client base otherwise they're not going to know you exist.

Online forums are good and linkedin is definitely one that you should get into. But check locally where you live - chambers of commerce, bni, rotary, school groups, clubs, anywhere where groups of people get together. And as Janine said, volunteering can help - it definitely works. I've volunteered (given back to community) in some way or another most of my business life - I've been in business over 16 years. It definitely pays to be out there amongst people who will notice you and tell others about you.

Ivan Misner (founder of BNI) has written some excellent books too (I saw one of them featured in the right hand menu in the book list here today) and one of them was about Word of Mouth referrals or WOMBAT marketing. Check his books out - they're all good and worthwhile.

Don't give up but start changing some of the things you're doing and network, network, network!

[Kerans VA]

Hi Kim,

You've been given some excellent suggestions, but I would really start with Kathie's suggestion and dive into to some in-person networking. As odd as it sounds, networking in person is something that will really give your virtual business a much-needed boost. The interaction with other business owners will help reinforce your commitment to starting your own business and you will make valuable contacts. You will also discover quite quickly if your elevator speech is effective as well.

It can take some time, but by simply showing up at networking events, you clearly indicate to other business owners that you take your business seriously and they shall too. It's also handy to remember how many other business acquaintances that the people you meet might have. So, you are widening your exposure which can help get some new business faster.

As well as all of Kathie's networking suggestions, there is always meetup.com. A quick search of Scarborough, ON (hello, fellow Canadian!) and 'business' interests selected garners the following meetups:

http://business.meetup.com/cities/ca/on/scarborough/

Hope that helps and keep us posted on how it's going, good luck!

[reneeshupe]

When I was in the early stages of my business, I found the absolute best way to gain clients was through in person networking, that's how all of my initial clients came to me and then it just started to ramp up from there.

Find out where potential clients would network and attend their events, chat with them, share with them what you do and I'm sure you'll gain your first client.

Keep it up, it's hard trying to get there but sticking with it and you'll find success.

[kathiemt]

I was the same as Renee, because when I started there was no internet. And what I did then still works today - face to face networking. There's nothing like body language and visual contact for building relationships.

[bbSquire]

Hey!

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. I have been putting off Facebook because some people I know have had trouble with them here in Canada. Lack of security issues.

I don't Twitter because... well... for me it doesn't seem like a real "social" device. I noted a comment by one of the webcomic artists that I like and wondered what the original issue was. Well, turns out he was commenting on what someone said that he follows, which was based on someone the second person follows, which was based on another person the third person follows all the way back 14 people, and only the person and the second person are followed by the artist. It seems to hard find the beginning of a topic, and none of it seemed like any one was chatting with each other. Just commenting on a comment. Or telephone tag.

As for in-person networking.... I really have a problem with that. I even hate talking on the phone. Not because I'm shy or nervous. I deal with a 30% hearing loss and constant ringing in both ears. I am always so scared of miss-hearing important info, I always ask people to write it down for me, or at least say it 3-6 times so I get it. Also, if the person has a low voice or heavy accent, then I can be at a total loss. I am prepared for face to face talking with a client, but noisy crowded rooms....(shiver) please don't make me do it.

I will take a look at Inlinked. Sounds ok to me.

Again thanks for the good advice.

Kim.