subject: Finding The Right-fit Clients [print this page] Armed with a battery of skills, your confidence, and perhaps a certificate or two -- you need clients. Here are a few tips for finding them:
Market your business - This is how anyone builds a business. Since you work virtually and not in a typical office setting, the Internet will be the prime place to market a virtual assistant business. Creating a website gives you a forum to showcase your skills and tell about yourself. The website can feature a blog and a virtual store. Use it as a base for viral and email marketing campaigns, as well as for direct mail marketing to local businesses. We discuss this further in the next section.
Join professional associations - Everyone needs help. The virtual assisting community has risen to the call and developed organizations to help virtual assistants find clients. Most of these associations have member directories. A directory is like a giant telephone book. By entering keywords like place, skill being sought, and hourly rate, a new client can find the virtual assistant they have been seeking. These professional associations have worked hard to build a reputation within the business community, so anyone listed with them is sure to be noticed.
Cold calls - It makes you want to cringe, but sometimes it is necessary. For local clients, calling small business owners to evaluate their business needs is one way to show how interested you are in working with them. Prepare a monologue in advance so there are fewer ahs and ums in your speech. Be sure to target these calls to the small business clients that you can help. If you have expertise in paralegal work, dont call on real estate business owners.
Network - This involves becoming active on virtual assistant forums. Many people use these forums to find answers to business questions including how to get started and how to increase business. It is also a great way to build relationships with other virtual assistants.
Your Local Scene - Join the Chamber of Commerce to network with other business owners. Youll learn about upcoming events where you can set up a booth to talk about your services. Give out business cards and information sheets, as well as tips about how to start their own virtual assisting business. Print advertising in the right spots can be expensive, but it's a great way to get your business recognized so that clients call you!
Family and friends - We all know someone with a business. For a discounted hourly rate, let them be your "guinea pig". As you work for them and show yourself to be reliable and efficient, they will pass your name on to their business associates. Perhaps they will let you advertise on their website or keep business cards in their store.
Given the many ways to find clients for your new virtual assisting services and adding a bit of ingenuity and elbow grease, your business will begin to flourish in no time.
Have you noticed the amazing growth in online videos? Your clients have, as well as realizing that having multimedia on their websites dramatically builds their business. They are seeking a VA who can provide full service in this area, and that can be YOU! Hot Skills VA Training has developed a course called "Video, Webinar and Podcasting for Virtual Assistants" which will teach you everything you need to offer this high-value-added expertise. The program is self-taught, allowing you the flexibility to learn exciting new skills while maintaining your existing business. Check out http://www.profcs.com TODAY!
