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| | The Minding Your Own Business Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | Views: 714 | | Jul 11, 2006 5:56 pm | | Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | # |
Jill | | I'm new here and hoping that I can gain some valuable insight and information from all of you. I have a new business (any comments on my web site http://www.virtualprofessional.ca are greatly appreciated eg: too much info, not enough info, info you would like to see not there...)
My business clientelle would be people like you: solo or small business owners but I am having difficulty breaking into the market. I am not sure if business owners just haven't realized what a benefit virtual assitance could be to their business or if it is something else.
So for all of you out there who are trying to do 100% of the work yourself - I would really appreciate hearing from you as to why you haven't outsourced some of your non-core activities in order to concentrate on your revenue generating activities. I am attending a trade show next week and would like to be able to counter any arguments that come up so go ahead and give it to me.
Thank you very much.
Jill Martin
MMVP
www.virtualprofessional.ca Private Reply to Jill | | Jul 11, 2006 6:58 pm | | re: Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | # | 
Andrew Barnes | | My first thought is that you have already done one of the best things you could.
You say you are 'new here', so welcome, and congratulations.
Make sure you start making a name for yourself where your potential clients are hanging out. (If you would like my recommendations of networks where the more 'busy-solo' hangs out, do PM me).
Use the networks to make friends. Not clients, friends. In order to trust a VA with a part of my business, I need to trust them (as I do my US VA that will be handling my US mailshot for me). This trust isn't won by 'pitches' and 'prices' (I'm not suggesting that this is what you are doing), but by developing a good reputation as a PERSON.
There are always many more people reading these boards than actually comment, and then many more that may read via the search engines (if network is public).
By putting energy into networking, you will eventually start noticing that clients start coming to you.
Best.
AndyE.
British Internet Marketing at it's best.
Stay informed at our Blog.
Subscribe for a free e-book - Blog&Ping Tutorial. Private Reply to Andrew Barnes | | Jul 11, 2006 9:08 pm | | re: Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | # | 
Laura Wheeler | | Andy is right about the importance of relationships.
Also, I think SOHO owners fear the cost, and are not sure how they can phase in help without having it suck the profit out. I use per-task pricing to counter this somewhat in my business, not sure what you can do to help with that. With many small businesses you have to not just SAY that it is to their financial advantage to hire help, but show them how, and at what point it makes sense.
For example, if I am doing a task that I dislike, and that I am not highly skilled at, that takes 2 hours a week of my time, and if during that time I could earn more or help my business grow more effectively if I hired you to do that task, then it makes sense for me to hire it instead of doing it myself.
I feel overwhelmed a lot in my business, but have no clue what a virtual assistant could to do help lift that load. So being specific about not just what SERVICE you offer, but how that service can be APPLIED to specific businesses may help as well.
Just my opinion.
Laura
Mom to Eight
Owner, Natural Diabetes Control
http://www.naturaldiabetics.com/Private Reply to Laura Wheeler | | Jul 11, 2006 9:24 pm | | re: re: Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | # | 
Tracy Collins, Web Designer | | Jill,
I too am a virtual assistant. I have to agree with Andy here as well. When I first came to Ryze I will admit that I was all about trying to get my first clients let me tell you it didn't take long to realize that wasn't the way it works. You have to continuously post on different forums and make relationships with them.
I also HIGHLY recommend finding a Niche instead of just the SOHO clients. That is far too broad. Trust me I learned the hard way. You really need to narrow it down. Once you get it narrowed down, start posting on some of the forums for that particular industry. Advertise in the different trade magazines that your niche might read. Find the different directories for your target market. Do some market research.
I finally narrowed down my niche and I knew that I could help them, I just didn't know what I could do for them so I researched the different directories picked out a couple of companies and called and asked them some questions. Don't sell to them just tell them you are doing marketing research and you would like their input. Most of the people would be very helpful to you.
If you would like anymore information please feel free to PM me.
Tracy Collins
http://www.collinsadministrativeservices.com
We Do It So You Don't Have To!Private Reply to Tracy Collins, Web Designer | | Jul 11, 2006 9:45 pm | | re: Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | # | 
Colleen Connery | | Hi Jill,
Welcome to the group. Everyone has given some great information here thus far and I second it all. I'd also like to add a few things...if you're dealing with small business owners, you should probably change the wording in your marketing to be more "WIIFM" oriented. This means "What's In It For Me". Small business owners look at lists and say, "well that's all great that you offer all that stuff...so what?". On your home page, I also see at the end of your 3rd intro paragraph where it says "assisting them in achieving their goals." Well, if you're talking to a prospective business owner via your website, saying "their goals" isn't going to be effective in getting attention because it seems like you're talking to someone else...not them directly. Say "YOUR goals." It's all about YOU...the small business owner. In the para under Services Overview, you do already use "YOU"...so that's the way everything should be. Basically what you want to say is this: MMVP is here to provide you with outsourced administrative services so you can concentrate on what you need to do to make more money in your business. That's really what it boils down to, right? Of course, the words need to be prettied up a bit, but you get the general idea.
Change your focus in your language and presentations from what you do, to what you can do to help us be more successful in our businesses. Most of us don't want to do what you offer. If we understand that it's to our benefit that we utilize your services, and we'll make more money doing so, then I can't see an argument for signing up with your company.
Good luck with everything. Looks like you've got a great biz...it's just a matter of time. Oh, and I saw paralegal services listed...a way to get these types of gigs are networking with attorney groups. Consider contacting the BAR Assoc in your neck of the woods to find out when their events are and attend them. I have several clients that have attorneys as clients (like me) and we network at our local BAR Assoc events and pick up additional biz.
Cheers, Colleen
CoCo & Associates, Inc., Abiz®
http://www.cocoassociates.comPrivate Reply to Colleen Connery | | Jul 12, 2006 12:52 pm | | re: re: Need advice on marketing Virtual Assistant Busines to SOHO businesses | # | 
Greg Cothran | | I rarely post here, but the Virtual Assistant discussion caught my attention .
So I thought I'd stop and smell the roses, and maybe add my $0.02 worth to the picture.
I've started several companies, and currently work as a turn around specialist for small to medium size companies. If you are dynamic, and able to do many things, GREAT! But I agree with the discussions...pick a skill set to market/focus on. Once you get in the door, then you can expand your capabilities.
Most small businesses I'm involved in for turnaround, are completely bogged down in the mud (day-to-day operations), and can't seem to get their head above water. So try to pitch this....Focus on your "Core Competencies", and let me take care of all the other mundane day-to-day operations.
Another idea, is to try and utilize technology as much as possible. Try setting up something like http://www.dotnetpark.com ‘s SharePoint, to better utilize collaboration tools for your customers. You can set up a site for a few dollars a month ($6-$7), and then re-bill this site to your customers. Maybe even develop a site which includes Exchange and SharePoint, so your customers can better utilize the site for managing their communications. Since you are running the site, you will also be in direct contact with your customers.
Sorry for the rambling, but just throwing some ideas out for discussion. Enjoyed the enlightening remarks in this post, and will have to start reading Ryze more often.
Private Reply to Greg Cothran | | |
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