Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Getting The Word Out About My New Virtual Assistant Practice

Posted by Anonymous on 3/18/2004 at 9:19 PM ET 250 Points
Ok, here goes....I own/operate a Virtual Assistant Practice from my home office in a small town. I have have a few small clients, but no retainer clients.

I have tried "object marketing", direct mail, post cards, sales letters, doing the drip technique, only recieved one response. I tried newspaper ads, but they are so expensive that I only do them periodically. Did a radio spot, got one client from that, but it is also expensive.

I do network alot, but in my area, it's been hard to get people to think outside the box, when it comes to outsourcing!

I've been working hard on an upcoming Tradeshow that I'm exibiting at, April 30/May 1. I feel this is my big shot to make an impression on potential clients! I'm very excited!

What would be your advise to me as a Small Business owner to attract more clients, especially retainer ones? And do you have any advise on the upcoming Tradeshow? (Limited Budget).

I realise these are broad questions, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

Kimberley Kenney
Virtual Assistant.

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 3/18/2004 at 9:56 PM Accepted
    Typically, as I understand it, VAs offer many different services such as

    Business Cards
    Brochures
    Fact Sheet
    CD Business Cards
    Web Postcards
    Press Releases
    Websites
    Client Intranet
    Client Meeting Rooms
    PowerPoint Presentations

    Along with database asistance. The problem you are going to have is most likely based on a trust issue. They don't know you and will be reluctant to have someone who does not know their business practices handling important and confidential information.

    I would try to focus on what you are best at doing as a VA, and push those qualities into the marketing aspect of your business. Check out the article on focus..it is awesome:

    https://www.marketingprofs.com/2/fischler1.asp

    Next, I would reconsider trying to reach small businesses for the reasons mentioned above. I am a small business owner I would not pass anything off to someone who doesn't have a clue what I do, what I want, how I want it, and especially someone I don't know very well. It's like having to hire am employee and trying not to worry they won't sink your ship. No offense,,,just being realistic.

    Maybe you should reach out to larger corporations that have amassed large bundles of insensitve data, or need to outsource someone to design business cards at a cheaper rate than a graphic artist. You may have better luck.

    My last few sentances made me think a bit...perhaps you could offer business card, brochure design etc to the small business owner...that is something they will be more likely to outsource.

    A new technique? Have you tried email? Email newsletteres are a great way to get your business hopping.

    Tim Pepper, "pepperblue", is an email expert here at the forum. Click on his name over to your right to get his contact info. He can give you all the ins and outs.

    "DavidatHaley" and "ASVP/Chris" are excellent strategists as well that may be able to give some pointers on trade shows better than I. Just click on their names as well.

    The key to successful advertising is not only making sure you are trargeting the right people and announcing the appropriate message, but is also about persistance. A one time direct mail campaign to a few zipcodes is not enough. You have to keep after it over and over untill people start to know who you are.

    Good Luck. If I think of more, I'll post it!
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 3/20/2004 at 12:00 PM Member
    Good Luck!
  • Posted by Pepper Blue on 3/20/2004 at 12:27 PM Member
    Hi Kimmer,

    Regarding direct mail and email marketing:

    Your concerns are valid.

    I commend and respect you for having high ethics regarding your marketing practices.


    However, I also want to assure you that being compliant and ethical with a direct mail and email marketing program is not hard to do.

    Making direct and email marketing programs should most definitely be an ongoing part of your "integrated" marketing program.

    "Integrated" is the key word because they will leverage and add synergy to everything else you are doing.

    They are arguable, and there are tons of statistics to back this up, the most cost effective, most efficient way to constantly and regularly stay in touch with customers and prospects.

    Contact me and I can send you a newsletter with a couple of articles that directly address your concerns and then we can discuss it further if you would like.

    For a small business like yours, with the value proposition you have, it is an ideal fit.


    Good luck.

    Pepper Blue

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