Attracting Clients

[sbolton]

I am trying to gain more clients for my transcription business but am having problems getting the returned business from them. It seems that the majority of projects are just short-term, one-time, etc.


Questions:

1. Any advice on how to generate more business out of clients?

2. Has anyone does promotional eblasts to a list of companies/clients? If so, have you found any success from it?

3. Does anyone has a facebook page for their company? Do you find success in that?

4. Please feel free to critique my website to see if I can add more information or what you think would be more beneficial? www.LetterByLetter.net

Thanks for your help!
Susie

[Balancing Act]

Susie,

I like your website. I didn't completely go through it, but it's clean and easy to read. However, you aren't telling your prospective clients that you want repeat business. Put together a few packages to offer them to show that they'll get more bang for their buck if they purchase ongoing service.

Also, I think you need to focus more on the benefits they'll receive by using your transcription service instead of the process that you take in completing it.

Hope this helps!

[Action Jackson VA]

Hi Susie,

I would also check your grammar and spelling on each of your pages. The FAQ page has a lot of errors, I stopped there, so check your pages over for the above.

I agree with April, you need to ask for the work after you have completed the first job.

You can do something like, "For your next service you will receive a 5% discount!" Or "Call us for all of your transcription needs!".

Good luck,
Andrea~

[AdvantageAdministrativeSltns]

I went to a mechanic in town (he attends my networking meetings) for the first time to get an oil change and tires rotated and balanced. He did a great job and I will definitely go back. But to seal the deal about two or three weeks after I was there he sent me an email with a 25% discount on my next service good for one year. You don't have to have that high of a discount, 5% would be good enough to get them back in the door.

[WorkerBee]

I always follow up with a status check one week after I submit each job in final format and let them know I'm available should they have a need. I just do the first job for $5.00 less per audio hour and I let the client know that I'm doing so in order for them to see my work product for the first time. If they like my work then for the next job and thereafter I charge the additional $5.00 per audio hour on the first job and then if they like my work I charge the regular rate.

[bridiej]

It's dangerous to do a job for less then try and put your prices up - people don't like paying more for the same thing however small the increase.

A better plan would be to send an email offering a 10% discount off their next invoice - a good incentive to use your services again.

[pjerb]

All of these are great suggestions, have you thought about a referral discount? Offer a % off old clients' bill for a new referral? I'm not sure if that is what you are going for though.

[bridiej]

I've started doing that, 25% discount off their next invoice if they refer a new client to me.

[Executive Virtual Services]

Hello Fellow VAs,

My name is Simone and I am new to the Forums.

I have decided to change my niche and target clients that need transcription services or database management services. Does anyone have any ideas of the ideal clients that would benefit from a Virtual transcriptionist? I was thinking Lawyers could use this type of service. What are your thoughts?

Also, I am very interested in subcontracting for other VAs who need assistance. Is this the right forum to mention this?

Thanks so much everyone. I look forward to connecting with all of you. Oh, one last thing, if any of you would be so kind as to check my website, I would appreciate any feedback. My site is executivevirtualservices.net.

Thanks so much!

[The Perfect Word]

Hi, Simone, and welcome! There's a Website Review thread here. If you post your request there for others to take a look at your site, you will probably receive more of a response. As a quick note, though, on your first page there is something you need to correct close to the bottom of the page..."No matter what you're needs are." It should be "your." I haven't looked at anything else yet.

As your VA, I want to work with you to determine how I can best support you. No matter what you're needs are, I want to be the "go to" person who can get it done!

[Executive Virtual Services]

Hi Pam,

Thanks so much for the advise and the note. I will change it immediately.

Talk with you soon.

[assistantnikki]

I learned not to be afraid to ask. Simply follow-up with your previous clients that you know have been satisfied with your service and ask them if they may know anyone that they think could be just as pleased with your service. Waiting for clients is good, but going directly to them is great.

[JRCassisting]

I was reading this thread for one thing and came out with another. Thank you all for mentioning the website review thread. I am finishing up my site and was trying to think of family members to read over it, but they can be pretty... well, you know... so I'd rather use folks that know what a VA is and what they should be doing.