Tracy Collins, Web Designer
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Everybody has given some wonderful insight into marketing. The number one challenge that I need to overcome is the confidentiality and trust concerns.
I have a PI who has me doing a ton of work for him and he is pleased with what I have done. The reason he decided to hire me is because he asked me to do a project (create an access database) for him and I thought I could but once I got more and more in depth to the project, I realized that I couldn't do it but instead of pushing him to the curb I found a forum and found a wonderful person from the UK who was willing to help me out and walk me through it step by step and we ultimately finished the database and since then he has been providing me a ton of work. I learned a very hard lesson from that one.
The reason I am still doing work for him is because of my work ethics instead of saying sorry I can't do it, I worked at it and got it to the way he wanted it so we have built a relationship.
I am going to join the state PI association and participate in those forums as well as when they have a trade show in the spring, I am going to do everything in my power to be there and get to know the PI's.
PIs are very untrusting which is understandable given the field they are in. I need to find a way to get past the trust issue. Once I join the association, it will go to my credibility because PIs know that there is a thorough background investigation on anybody who applies to be a member so that will help with some of the untrusting.
Also, I do believe that alot of people (including PI's) just do not understand how somebody can do this type of work outside of the office. They also don't understand how a VA can actually help them. That is why (with the help of Laura) I have created some blog posts that are basically an ongoing story talking about a "stereotypical" PI and how his VA (me, of course) has helped him overcome some of the administrative challenges he has faced. This way people get an idea on what a great asset a VA can be to their business.
I would like to post those posts on some article marketing websites but I just don’t know if those would be appropriate for article marketing.
I do thank all of you for the input I have received. I like the beef jerky idea as well. I might have to look into something similar. I am also going to look into becoming an affiliate for a company that sells PI gear such as recorders, and all that other "007" stuff and put that on my site.
I think if I can just get past the trust issue and allow PIs to understand a little bit more about what can be done from my office instead of being in theirs it might be a little bit easier.
Okay, I will get off my soapbox now. Sorry this is so long.
Tracy Collins
http://www.collins-admin.com
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