Marketing is understanding the needs of your customer, then finding a way to fulfill those needs.
- Continually educate yourself and learn new skills to extend your services.
- Have a website created by a professional. Portray your "brand" with the look and feel of your business and that appeals to your market.
- Continually add informative articles, updated content (a new page every week?) to your site that HELPS your customer.
- Create a news feed to offer resources and news, and current events that benefit your customers.
- Optimize your pages with specific content for keywords people will use to search for your information. Use descriptive page title, keywords, headings and subheadings.
- Research businesses that compliment your product or service and contact them to suggest reciprocal linking opportunities.
- Create video tutorials for your customers.
- Have a sign-up form on your website, give away something for free of value in exchange for their contact information.
- Keep your contact list up-to-date, use double "opt-in" on your sign-up form to confirm they want to receive email from you.
- Send out newsletters on a regular basis. Most clients prefer once a month, some twice per month. Quarterly is fine too, just be sure it's consistent. Don't forget your unsubscribe option and never send spam.
- Start a forum to create a community of clients helping other clients, and providing user generated content for your site.
- Learn how search engine advertising works, research relevant keywords, and experiment with the different types
- Research your target market so you'll know their needs and determine best marketing opportunities. Where did they find their employees, vendors, where do they advertise?
- Advertise honestly-your main goal should be to HELP people. If your just trying to sell the something they'll resist.
- Advertise in local business newspapers and small magazines.
- Have professional business cards with you at all times, ready to hand out at any opportunity.
- Dress for success, always look the part-you never know when opportunities will present themselves, be ready.
- Ask for referrals from your clients.
- Join local business organizations, Chamber of Commerce, networking groups.
- Attend local business networking events.
- Be a great communicator. Use correct grammar and punctuation in emails or any correspondence.
- Be a great VA, offer information, stay in contact, go the extra mile for your clients. Word of mouth is your best form of advertising!
- Be consistent, let your clients know they can count on you.
- Under promise - over deliver. Never miss a deadline and if you think you might, contact them immediately and discuss your situation so you can come to an satisfactory agreement.
- Be enthusiastic. It draws people like a magnet.
- Have professional business media for events, thank-you gifts, and marketing opportunities; brochures, business cards, calendars, magnets, mouse pads, pens, etc.
- Create a professional marketing letter and send to local businesses via direct mail.
- Contact every business you send a letter to as a follow up.
- Visit local businesses in person with your business card and brochure in hand.
- Volunteer for your favorite charity or help someone in need.
- Offer your services free, as a prize in a drawing or fundraising events.
- Create your "elevator pitch." Memorize your short "mini-commercial" that clearly describes the benefits and fulfills the need of your clients.
- Listen to what people say and if an opportunity to promote yourself comes up - take it!!
- Place a magnetic sign on your car or have a decal made for your back window or bumper.
- Stay updated on new technology, contact clients that can benefit from them.
- Write Press Releases about news and upcoming events in your business.
- Be prepared, organized, prompt, confident.
- Share your knowledge and help other Virtual Assistants.
- Live by the Virtual Assistant code of ethics.
- Believe in yourself!
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