finding clients for your virtual business
TRANSCRIPT
What’s your business structure? Is it fully optimized for success? Consider the following:
What’s your ideal client How many hours do you want to work? How much money do you wish to earn?
Creating your ideal conditions will attract your ideal client ?
Specialize Virtual assistant specializing in Aweber setup Graphic designer specializing in affiliate blog
setup Copywriter specializing in direct ad writing
Choose the task(s) that you enjoy most, that energize you
Make a list Things you love vs things you hate
Analyze your list What tasks can you outsource? What services can you eliminate? What services can you promote?▪ Specialize in THESE services!
Is there a need for your specialized services? Conduct polls & other market research
Setup your ideal business first to attract ideal clients
Check out your competitors’ prices Check sites like Elance, VA Networking or Guru.com Look for networks where higher pay goes to
established freelancers Create special introductory offers
Then upsell client to other, regular-priced services Beware…some clients expect the low prices
forever
Introductory Offers May not attract your ideal client Always set a limit▪ How long the offer will remain in effect▪ How many units a new client can purchase▪ On amount of time offered
Always post your limits within the ad copy Always call it an introductory offer
Your website, forms, brochures & business cards should be professional This will attract professional clients
Be aware of what image your photographs portray If you’re in a suit, you’ll attract formal clients If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll attract informal
client
Create a strong project management system & communications protocol Create contracts & project management
spreadsheets Be very clear about your expectations & what
services you will provide
Let clients know when you’ll be available Let clients know about any rush charges for
same day service Ask for their preferred method of contact Keep a simple, one-page chart for each client
Create packages that suit you but delight your clients
Packages should provide high-value service options One-time setup packages Recurring monthly packages Add a shopping cart button TELL your client what you want them to do with a
call to action
Track your time Client work time When you stop for lunch or phone calls
This can help find where you’re wasting time & how to work more efficiently
Be clear & focused about how you want to spend your time
Your professional website Should LOOK like a website, not a blog Use WordPress & create a static home page Choose a catchy name Highlight your specialty Featured Content boxes allow client interactivity Video gives a sample of your personality
Prominent sign up web form with incentive Share buttons & RSS feed button Call to action Client testimonials just above the fold Relevant header graphic Professional colors White space to keep client focused on message Helpful menu tabs
Create a Client Kit folder & keep it on your desktop for easy access Create a backup or master file & store elsewhere
in case of a computer crash Your kit should include:
Email templates outlining packages Price list Client questionnaire
Should tell you everything you need to know about a project
Should help your client think about the different aspects of the projects clearly
Should prequalify your client Eliminates the ‘mindreader’ factor Will help determine pricing Create 2 versions:
1 for exploratory, 1 for when client commits
Include a Client Profile sheet for when they commit
Create other forms or handouts that will be helpful to your client
Always brand your forms with your company name, logo & simple contact details
Join local networking groups
Carry business cards, brochures or samples
Volunteer to hold a workshop
Have a six-second mission statement ready Concisely describe what you do, then offer an
extra business card to pass along
Check LinkedIn daily Word of mouth recommendations Refine your web content to target your ideal client Advertise Facebook ads, other online ads Target your competitors
Use specialized job boards Example: Problogger
Get to know the more general job boards & directories Example: Elance & Guru.com
Create a special offer for membership forums
Fiverr Great for posting introductory offers Everything is $5 so plan carefully Be very specific about the scope of your offer
How many clients do you need & want? Avoid relying on one big client
You never know when that client’s needs will change & if they leave you won’t have any clients
Diversify Take on at least 3 clients If one client leaves, you can get more work from
the other 2 or start looking for another client
Plan to grow your business from the start
How many people do you want to employ?
How many departments will you need as you expand?
Plan a time frame for growth & expansion
Become a full-fledged company with employees & physical office space
Grow then sell your business Run the business yourself Run the business yourself but expand by
outsourcing Plan the outsourcing from the beginning What type of work will you outsource? What type of contractors will you need?
Your fee formula should be based on: Expenses Competitor pricing What the market will bear Your unique mix The added value you bring to your services Your unique experiences & skills
Create digital products & resources
You can reach a different segment of your target market
Your products can work for you & generate passive income
Install Paypal payment buttons on your services & products pages
Very often a client who purchases a product will contact you about your premium services Your product acted as a sampler It was branded with your contact info This creates trust & goodwill Even if your customer never returns, you still
made money on the products
The product you give away when someone signs up for your list Make it highly-focused It should supply their most immediate need Brand with you logo & contact information
A subscriber list allows you to keep in touch with potential customers & build relationships
1. Research ideal client2. Determine what fees the market will bear3. Determine how much your ideal client is used
to paying4. Research your competitors & their fees5. Setup a well-optimized website6. Create special offers for membership forums7. Advertise, as your budget allows8. Join local networking groups
9. Create workshops10. Volunteer11. Check social media daily12. Advertise on job boards or directories13. Create a sign up incentive14. Create a client resource section15. Create a digital product16. Referred the ‘wrong’ client to a more
appropriate professional
1. Ask for referrals on your website2. Bribe visitors to spread the word3. Hand out business cards everywhere4. Update your website quarterly & tell your
list5. Ask clients for referrals when they thank you
for a job well done6. Ask for recommendations on whatever
social media sites the client uses regularly
Managing clients & turning them into repeat customers can be tricky
Don’t become too comfortable in your business
Build your reputation Generate consistent positive
recommendations Remain visible in your field Grow with technology
Keep your Client Kit easily accessible Price services competitively Research your ideal client Fine tune your services Optimize your website Develop a 6-second mission statement Advertise (if necessary) Keep up to date on job boards Create appealing client packages
Do what you promised! Delivering mistake-free, top quality product Meet your deadline
Make sure you work well with your client’s team or employees You never know if one of these employees will
recommend you to some one else
1. Separate the delivery from the message Don’t be tempted to yell back but do understand
the source of the complaint If the yelling continues, warn the client that you’ll
be hanging up but would be happy to continue the conversation at another time
Try not to engage in this argument
2. Apologize to the client Keep it simple Don’t offer an explanation unless asked for Don’t apologize if the client is being abusive or
yelling – wait until the client is calmer3. Nasty emails
Don’t react Fix the problem Keep emotional language out of the response
4. Keeping the client or cutting them loose There’s no right or wrong answer Only you know if you can handle their
personality & demands Never accept abusive language or behavior Don’t burn bridges Offer the names of other service providers to the
client Don’t keep clients who cost you time & money
Be aware of changes in your client’s business Don’t be afraid to ask questions as changes
occur Don’t assume your client will tell you about
every change Tell clients about added services as your
business changes Talk to your client about their goals Always deliver high quality
Did you find this presentation interesting? Visit my site http://theaffiliatemom.com/
to read more articles about virtual assistant business.
Again My site is http://theaffiliatemom.com/ and my name is Anastasia Vasilopoulou and I
am from Greece. My e-mail address is [email protected]