Challenge- Creative ideas for promotion/marketing

[Christina Nelson]

I am a Virtual Assistant.
My company Vital Office Solutions provides virtual office administration, handling everything from data entry projects to accounts payable and accounts receivable.
From calendar and e-mail account management to faxing and mailings, I offer a wide variety of administrative services to assist small business owners in maintaining a more efficient office without the cost of an "actual" office.

I have been making the rounds with blog posts, press releases, articles and joining forums, as well as direct mailings.
I'm hitting a wall when it comes to more creative ideas for any of the above, or anything I haven't thought of.
Thanks for your help,
Christina

[Christine Martell]

Hi Christina,
I went to your site and noticed you have an e-book about free software. As someone from your target market, why should I request it? Will it save me time? Will it help me be more organized? Will it make it easier for me to work with a virtual assistant? Try identifying the benefits of the software that are tied to the reasons I would be looking for a virtual assistant.
Good luck,
Christine

[Christina Nelson]

Thank you for your response Christine.
I am in the process of completely revamping my site and that is one of the items I'm working on. I plan on expanding the e-book as well as adding more details about what it includes as well as the benefits.

Thanks again,
Christina

[Jeffrey Summers]

Well then tell us what you're working on so we have a better understanding of where you are. A bunch of ides won't make any sense unless we understand the goals of your marketing strategy. And, what's the strategy?

[Brad Bentz]

Christina,

Relying just on the information you provided in your post, it sounds like you are doing everything possible to actively promote your business. However, I suspect that you're using a shotgun approach and haven't really zeroed in on a profile of what your best customer looks like.

I think the answer is not to cast a wider net, but rather to pare back your efforts and focus more attention on the kind of prospects that are going to respond to what you offer.

I'd start by reviewing your existing client roster and picking out 4-5 of your best for closer analysis. Focus on the ones that have given you lots of repeat business, didn't complain about your pricing or services, and seemed genuinely grateful for what you do. If you haven't already gathered testimonials from this group, I suggest doing so.

You obviously want a lot more of those kind of customers, so are there any commonalities among this group that can help you target your marketing efforts? I would not hesitate to ask my best customers for referrals, leads, or ideas on where to look for more business. If they like what you do, I'm sure they will step up.

I'd also spend some time looking at my competitors for ideas. Make a list and then check out:
* Who links to them
* Where they advertise or promote themselves
* What keywords they are optimizing
* How they position themselves
* What information/features they offer on their Web sites

All of this information can be gleaned in a few hours online using free or inexpensive tools. You won't want to just mimic what your competitors are doing, but such an analysis can give you ideas about areas that you should explore and perhaps complementary products or services you should offer.

It seems to me that the main advantage to using a virtual assistant over a live assistant is that you only pay for the hours you need. In other words, the fixed cost of a full-time employee is converted into a variable cost of an on-demand assistant. My guess is that people who have the greatest need for this arrangement would have some combination of the following characteristics:
* Not enough revenue to keep a full-time employee on staff
* Not enough tasks to keep a full-time person occupied
* Dislike the time and effort to hire, train, and manage employees
* Very irregular demand for help (perhaps on a project basis)

Considering the above, I tend to think that solo consultants or independent sales reps who travel frequently would be great potential clients for your business. Why?
* They probably work out of their house or at their customers' sites, so they don't have a need to maintain a formal office with a staff.
* Because they travel extensively, the experience of using a virtual assistant is no different than if they hired someone who stayed at the home office. In either case, they are dealing with a remote assistant.
* Their revenues and work load tend to be unpredictable ("feast or famine"), so keeping fixed overhead to a minimum is a priority. They like variable costs.

There must literally be thousands of these "road warriors" out there, so I would expect this to be a ripe market to consider if you haven't already.

Best of luck,

Brad

[Christina Nelson]

Brad,
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, and so thoroughly. I actually hadn't thought of those who travel frequently. One of those 'smack to the forehead' moments. I will do some research into that area and will report back with my results.

I appreciate your time,
Christina

[Tami Belt]

Go where your clients are in the real world - trade and professional luncheons, meetings and expos. Once you've made contact, you can invite them to visit your virtual world. Be sure to provide links to your press coverage on your web site. It will help increase your exposure. Also, you may want to offer reciprocal links with your clients to cross promote. Finally, create a virtual community online where clients can help each other. As a virtual assistant, you want to position yourself as an invaluable resource to your clients.

[Bruce Gerth]

Perhaps try and talk to some travel agencies that specialize in corporate travel. Offer them a contest for their clients to win (x) hours of virtual assistance. You would be investing hours as the prize, but all of the potential clients that travel would be exposed to your services. You could even offer the travel agency a small commission to book your services along with flights, Providing an excellent value added service for the travel agency.



Bruce

[Christina Nelson]

Tami,
I wish I could get out and make more face-to-face contact but ,at this time, it just isn't possible so I've had to put that on the back burner. I have been researching the best luncheons, meetings, etc. in my area so I am sure to use my available time wisely.

Bruce,
What a great idea. I thought about contacting travel agents but not in that capacity. Time for me to do some research in that area.

Thank you both for taking the time to respond,
Christina

[Tami Belt]

Since you are unable to attend, you may want to offer a gift certificate as a raffle prize. That way you still have a presence. You might even consider hiring a virtual networker to attend for you. I've seen a couple such companies in Las Vegas over the past few years.

[Christine Martell]

Tami,
What is a virtual networker?

[Tami Belt]

It is someone who attends events on your behalf to talk about you and pass out your collateral material, if appropriate. It is similar to sending a colleague in your place. If you are unable to find such a company in your area, you might be able to have another business associate or client take some brochures or business cards and talk up your services while they are networking. It could be a great way for your client to open a conversation and explaining how they can concentrate on their work because they have a great virtual assistant to handle the details.

[Derek Schoen]

Hi Christina,
Virtual Assistant is such a great buzz word. I would do everything you can to maximize the use of that term and explain thoroughly what it means. Get on to the local International Association of Business Communicators' website or PRSA or any professional organizations that have forums and tell them how to solve problems with the techniques you use. Don't try to pitch the services, just leave it as a how-to. Put some thorough contact information in your signature. When what you suggests works for them you can bet that they will be back, and with friends, to take full advantage of everything you have to offer.

Also, start a twitter. (www.twitter.com) add everyone who might be of interest to you as a customer or that you might enjoy following. Twitter updates about what you are doing so that folks can more fully understand all you have to offer! Show that you are an expert in the field.