Start spreading the word
Have you ever noticed when someone is really unhappy with a product or a service, he tends to tell
everyone about it? Happy clients can do just the same for you'if you
ask them. If you have satisfied clients then ask them if they wouldn't
mind telling their friends, coworkers and others about your services.
You might even ask them if they mind giving your business card to
anyone they think might be interested in your services.
Word-of-mouth is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of building
your client base. It is also one of the most effective. After all, you
have someone who has used your services and who is satisfied.
There is nothing more effective than the recommendation of a
satisfied customer.
Join your local business organization. Every town and city has
business organizations. You're probably most familiar with your local
Chamber of Commerce. Joining the Chamber of Commerce in your
community is an excellent way to network. Chamber of Commerce
chapters generally list their members, along with their contact
information and URL, in a publication that is published yearly, and
there are monthly events in which members get together.
Write free articles. There are thousands of ezines on the Internet
today, and many of them are desperate for quality articles. Let's say,
for example, one of the services you offer is medical transcription.
You might want to write an article about how to get into medical
transcription: from securing the right education to finding a job. Find
an ezine into which your article will fit and submit it. Always make
sure when submitting an article you are allowed to put a brief
biography at the end of the article that includes your website URL.
Writing free articles is an excellent way to establish yourself as an
expert in your field as well as a way to get more people to come to
your website. There are also article "libraries" to which you can
submit your articles. Anyone looking for an article on your topic may
then use it as long as they include your biography and website URL.
Send postcards. Sending postcards is an expense, but it's not a big
expense. The big advantage of postcards is once you have your
client base established mailing postcards on a monthly basis allows
you to keep your business in the forefront of your clients' minds. It's
also an excellent way to offer discounts or to invite your clients to
look at your website.
If you do decide to go the postcard route, you can create your own
postcards inexpensively by purchasing postcard paper at your local
office supply store, designing them with your publishing software
then printing them yourself.
Joining Professional Organizations
A great way to network with other virtual assistants and to become
involved in the virtual assistant community is to join a virtual
assistant professional organization.
Many times these organizations offer education just for members,
listing of your business in their member directory and support.
Links to Virtual Assistant Organizations
. International Virtual Assistants Association. The IVAA offers its
members a wide range of benefits, including listing in the
member directory. It is also the only virtual assistant
organization that offers its members Virtual Assistant
Certification. The site is open to non-members as well as
members.
. International Association of Virtual Assistants. The IAOVA
provides members with information on web hosting, reselling of
web hosting (another way to make a profit), FrontPage
Templates, scholarship information, articles, a worldwide
directory and a host of other benefits.
. Virtual Business Group. The Virtual Business Group is a
worldwide organization dedicated to helping virtual assistants
and includes marketing advice, opportunities to apply for
grants, a links page and a membership directory.
Links to Helpful Small Business Organizations
. Small Business Administration. The Small Business
Administration is the place to go to get small business advice,
free of charge, from business advisors as well as the first stop
to learn everything you need to know-from implementing your
business idea to helping your business expand once it is
running. They also have a free business card listing of which
you'll definitely want to take advantage.
. SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business. SCORE is an
invaluable asset to America's small business owners. In
addition to offering valuable business seminars at minimal cost,
SCORE has knowledgeable business counselors who will meet
with you for free to assist you.
. National Association for the Self-Employed. As a business
owner, you are self-employed, and the NASE is an excellent
resource for support, information and many benefits for
members. Annual membership is currently $134.
. The American Small Businesses Association. Members of the
ASBA are eligible to apply for grants, offers health insurance
and valuable support.
If you are looking for a business where you can spend most of your
time working from home, starting your own virtual assistant business
can be the key to achieving your financial and personal dreams.