| Effective networking is essential for building any | | | | People are not interested in what you do but |
| successful business. | | | | what you can do for them. For instance, instead |
| For Virtual Assistants who have a background in | | | | of saying "I provide administrative services to |
| sales and marketing, networking may be second | | | | businesses remotely", try "I save business owners |
| nature to them and their goal would be to find | | | | time by taking over time-consuming administrative |
| networking opportunities. For others with less | | | | tasks, freeing them up to build their business". |
| experience, and less outgoing personalities, the | | | | Clients will consider your services when they can |
| thought of networking may seem daunting. If you | | | | see how you will benefit them and their business. |
| have never owned your own business before, | | | | Where do you Network? |
| you may be intimated at the thought of | | | | Networking Events Offline: |
| networking and trying to sell your services. Just | | | | Look for networking events at your local |
| keep the following tips in mind and you will find | | | | Chamber of Commerce, women's business |
| networking is pretty easy and can actually be fun. | | | | groups, networking associations, entrepreneur and |
| Where do you find clients? | | | | small business events and tradeshows. |
| Networking is the most effective method of | | | | Small businesses - you can always approach local |
| finding clients and promoting your business. Most | | | | small businesses directly. Be sure to carry your |
| VAs have found plenty of clients through good | | | | business cards with you everywhere you go |
| old fashion word of mouth. Keep in mind | | | | because you just never know when you will meet |
| networking for your business is similar to | | | | your next client. If you have a brochure, leave it |
| networking in social situations. You are building | | | | with businesses that could use your services or |
| relationships first and finding clients second. | | | | have clients that may be interested in your |
| Perhaps the business person you meet does not | | | | services. Salon owners, massage therapists, real |
| need your services, but may know someone who | | | | estate professionals, and anyone self-employed |
| does. You want to network with as many people | | | | are good prospects for Virtual Assistants. |
| as possible because you never know where your | | | | Networking Online: |
| next client will come from. You will want to find | | | | Look for online Virtual Assistant associations, |
| networking opportunities offline and online, and | | | | forums, message boards or work at home online |
| fortunately there are plenty of opportunities in | | | | communities. You can build relationships online just |
| both communities. | | | | as you build relationships offline. |
| Here are a few tips for successful networking: | | | | Network with other VAs. You may be able to |
| Create your "30 second commercial". Many | | | | send work to each other when there is an |
| business people are still unfamiliar with the term | | | | overflow or if one of you has more expertise for |
| "Virtual Assistant" so you will want to find a fast | | | | a particular project. |
| and easy way to describe what you do. The | | | | If you are not an outgoing person, you may be a |
| 30-second commercial or "elevator speech" was | | | | little nervous at the thought of networking at |
| designed to catch people's attention quickly and | | | | first, but this is an essential skill to learn that will |
| leave them with a fast and easy impression of | | | | help you build a successful business. It may help |
| you and what your business is about. People | | | | to remember networking is not blatantly selling |
| today are busy and have short attention spans. A | | | | your business, but building relationships and |
| quick description of you and your business is | | | | business contacts. Remember too that you are |
| much more beneficial than a long explanation of | | | | providing a service that is invaluable to many |
| what a Virtual Assistant is. For example, instead | | | | business owners. Some entrepreneurs desperately |
| of saying "I work at home by providing virtual | | | | need your skills and don't know it yet. Many a |
| administrative support ..., try "I help small business | | | | small business owner has worn themselves |
| owners save time and money by providing cost | | | | ragged trying to do everything themselves; your |
| effective solutions to their administrative tasks." | | | | skills and experience could be just what they |
| Give this some thought and come up with | | | | need! |
| something comfortable for you, then practice it | | | | After you start a virtual assistant business, get |
| until it just rolls off your tongue. | | | | out there and promote yourself with confidence. |
| Promote your benefits, not your services. Good | | | | Think of the pride and satisfaction you will feel |
| marketers know that you want to promote your | | | | when you help someone grow their business and |
| benefits to your potential customer or client. | | | | prosper. |