Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012

Hello!

We were thinking of setting up a booths at business networking events in our surrounding cities and get some giveaways to give out to the attendees.

Has anyone tried this before? Does this help get potential clients?

Thanks!

#2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012

Setting up a booth sounds interesting. I've been to networking events, but just the regular "Hi, I'm _____ and I own a _____ business." I haven't seen any booths as of yet. What would you give away? Maybe raffle off one free hour of time?

#3 (**permalink**) 04-11-2012

I have and I made a lot of contacts and some great warm leads. There is a huge B2B expo coming up soon in my area that while I did not get a booth I am going to check it out to see if it is worth it next year.

#4 (**permalink**) 04-11-2012

Paulette, yes an hour free could work. We've been thinking about what to give away besides the usual pens,pencils,notepads with our name. We are still thinking....

Lee, we believe the expos can be good depending how engaging your booth is. What did your design look like? We were thinking of bringing a banner and a trifold. Let us know how it goes!

#5 (**permalink**) 05-05-2012

I was thinking of giving a presentation in my area and local counties, but I wondered how much work is involved in it and what kind of presentation to do.

I also thought of doing a webinar, but which one do you think is better?

#6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2012

I'm thinking of also doing a presentation about VA's at a networking event for an association that I'm a member of. I sent an email to the head of chapter I'm a member of and she said she'd like to talk to me about it. I've only been to one meeting so far, but there were a couple of women that did presentations as well, and it was pretty laid back, nothing over the top. Like there wasn't any powerpoint presentation or anything like that. They just stood next to the podium and spoke for 10 minutes about their business. That was it. As much as I hate public speaking, I think that's something I can do, talk about my business and the VA world in general.

#7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2012

@ Paulette: That sounds doable

I may have help with the presentation, though. I had a girl thinking I was offering a job and emailed me her resume. I said I would consider her for subcontracting work and now she wants to meet up and talk over coffee or something. So we may be doing a seminar together.

#8 (**permalink**) 09-19-2012

Many great ideas ladies!!! You have given me alot to think about and kick around. Thank You!!!

Nick

#9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2012

Great topic. While online networking is a great place to start a conversation, the real magic happens when you have face-to-face networking opportunities. @Paulette your idea of hosting a presentation is perfect. After your presentation ask the participants to drop their business card into a fish bowl. To get them to put in their business cards you can offer a giveaway of a set number of hours or a reduced hourly rate. Even if you don't have the email list started this is a valuable marketing technique. Once you have their email addresses the possibilities are endless. Assuming they have a website listed on their business card you could do some due diligence on their business , then email them with business problems you noticed and how you would go about fixing those problems for them. Just food for thought....

#10 (**permalink**) 09-22-2012

Honestly? I'm not really seeing the benefit of it yet. It hasn't brought us any clients as of right now.

#11 (**permalink**) 10-26-2012

99.99% of my current clients and referral partners I've made are through the network I belong to. I suggest instead of offering a free hour of your time, offer to do projects that take about an hour; setting up a newsletter, End-to-End© website testing, typing meeting minutes, etc...

On your raffle tickets, have them answer a question that will help you get a feel for the kinds of help the people in your area need; for example: if you had one more hour in the day, what other project could you have done? Some type of question like that...

I've also found that most small business owners don't think they have any work they can hand off, after chatting with people and asking open-ended questions you'll 'hear' what they need help with.

Good luck and have fun, be sure to let us know how it turns out.

#12 (**permalink**) 10-26-2012

Great ideas shared. Have to create a plan to do this, but think it might be beneficial.

#13 (**permalink**) 10-28-2012

Hi everyone.

I have been tossing around another blog idea about networking and your post caught my eye. It has been my personal experience that networking only really works when you take the time to invest in continually being part of a networking group and attending events regularly.

I have been to events and handed out my card or brochure but nothing ever came of it. I finally joined a networking group in May and participate in their monthly gatherings and have finally gotten my name out there. I have been building the relationships and letting people get to know me and what I do and the benefits have been amazing. When I started in May I had zero clients. As of today, I have 7. They are not all from people at the networking group, just a couple, but the rest come from referrals from those I have met through the networking group.

Each month our group hosts a non-profit organization from the local area and the business owners donate a raffle prize. All money from the raffle is donated to the non-profit. Each month I donate a certificate for 2 hours of free service. The first 2 times, the person who won my certificate never contacted me for the service even after I followed up a couple of times. Last month it was funny watching the ladies from this group shove their tickets in for my certificate and banter back and forth about who was going to get it. This time the lady that won did give me a project and will be contracting additional hours.

Anyway, I just wanted to chime in with my two cents that although I think it necessary to do other events and try and get your name out there, I feel it is extremely beneficial to be consistently involved in a networking group and build those relationships.

Have a wonderful and productive week!

#14 (**permalink**) 03-21-2013

How I wish that could happen here in our town. That's fun!

#15 (**permalink**) 03-21-2013

Thats what its all about. Network network and more networking..

#16 (**permalink**) 03-22-2013

I was thinking about hosting a booth at some point also. I used to be the Community Outreach chair for a wildlife conservancy in my area and was in charge of hosting their booth at events. It was very successful for that type of thing. We passed out educational information, etc. I am not sure how well it would work with business networking, but it would certainly be worth a try. I like the idea of raffling off free time.

I think Terri raises a good point. Networking with the same group(s) on a regular basis can be very beneficial. People get to know you and trust you. I plan to join my Chamber of Commerce and attend their mixers on a regular basis.

#17 (**permalink**) 05-20-2013

I think so many of us get networking all wrong. It's funny that I should see this thread today because I just starting writing a blog post about how to network the right way to get the results you're looking for. I agree 100% with Terri that networking events are costly and often times it's just a bunch of people running around with their business cards in their hands hoping that they won't get thrown on the floor. If you want to be successful with your networking tactics you to invest your time in relationship building. This takes extra time but you're building solid business relationships in the process. So join a networking group and be an active participant, do people favors, give away your services without expecting anything in return. When you give, you get and generosity (but don't give away the farm!) goes a long way in today's internet landscape.

#18 (**permalink**) 06-28-2013

I know we are "virtual" but Iagree that face to face networking can get your business moving. I know that is one of the hardest things for people to do, but it is worth it to get out there.

#19 (**permalink**) 06-28-2013

I agree. Face to face is much more effective. Makes me think I should get a camera for my computer so the potential client can see me. ~ Lena

#20 (**permalink**) 06-28-2013

Networking is the best for spreading the word of your business. I love my business and love talking about it to anyone who will listen.

But by far the best part about networking is the people you meet.

I have written about blog recently about how inspired I have been by some of the ladies I have met along my own business journey. Feel free to read and share your feedback.

Inspiring or Networking!

Thanks in advance, and happy networking!

Virtual Assistant Forums

Networking [Offline]

Discuss the benefits and challenges of local networking (in-person) plus networking resources and techniques.

MARKETING YOUR VIRTUAL ASSISTANT BUSINESS

Networking [Offline]

[Question] Are business networking events beneficial?