4/08/2005 09:39:00 PM|||Virtual Accuracy|||

During a recent networking chat, I read where someone said, (paraphrase) “she must be a really good networker” and “patience is a virtue, but my goodness…”

Building a business takes a lot of time and effort. We started part-time in 1998 and we were under the sad impression, “if you build it they will come”, meaning our website. The sad truth is they did not come. Sure we had a few project clients, mostly through word of mouth, but it was just p/t income and no effort on our part. Plus, to be honest, we never really thought of being VAs full time until much later.

I left my corporate position in mid-2003 as the Director of Marketing and Guest Relations for a large non-profit organization so I could focus on my son who has special needs. My intention was to work at my VA practice on a very part-time/limited basis for extra income. However, God had other plans.

In late 2003 Dale was laid off from his lucrative corporate position. With a wife, a special needs child, a cat, a dog and a mortgage, Dale was in sink or swim mode. Should he return to the corporate world and face yet another lay off or dive into our business kicking and screaming? Dale chose the latter. He put in 16 hours days for about 4 months and I put in a good 8 (6 days a week) and wouldn’t you know it, our practice grew and grew and grew. Did it happen overnight? NO! It took blood, sweat and tears and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We worked HARD to get where we are today…long hours too. We had our own business coach from the beginning of our practice. No, we couldn’t afford to pay her, but we did barter with her. It was a win-win situation and our practice wouldn’t be where it is today without her insight, guidance, coaching and mentoring. Not just for 8 weeks, but every single week of the year! We have been meeting faithfully once a week with a coach for the past 80 weeks.

If I ruffle the feathers here, please excuse me. But the “if I build it they will come” philosophy might have worked in 1995, but it’s now 2005 and the competition is fierce. I am not talking about competition between VAs, because this is one of the most giving professions that I know of. I am talking about getting recognized on the web. There are so many sites, that it can be extremely difficult to stand out in the crowd. It is no longer enough to have just a website. That must be just one single piece of your puzzle. What are your marketing efforts? What are your networking efforts? Are you using your business plan as a guide? Are you following your marketing plan? If not, do it. If it’s out of date, update it. Are you targeting anyone and everyone who has a pulse and a checkbook and it’s NOT working? If so, it might be time to revise your strategy. If you need help with revisions, we are here to help. Remember, we have ALL been where you are. Some of us might still be there.

You can get recognized using Search Engine Optimization, but that’s another long discussion for another thread.

How much time do you put into the marketing efforts of your practice? Are you achieving your desired results? If not, what can you do differently? I am not telling you to put in 16 hours a day on building your business, but just stop to think about how much time you are actually putting into it. Let’s face it, an hour here and there is not enough.

Being a VA isn’t just as easy as having a computer, fax machine and printer. When you are a VA you are an entrepreneur. As an independent business owner you must go in search of the perfect clients for you. Until you build your client base, the word of mouth referrals will be slim to non-existent. Market, network, “preach it from you front lawn”, scream it from the rooftops, and shout it out! You are in control of your business destiny. Today is the day to seize the opportunity. If you need help seizing it, just ask!

I am in no way, no how an extrovert. I am as introverted as they come. I am your classic INFP with extensive introverted tendencies. If I can do it, anyone can do it…literally.

|||111301088741407266|||Vent of the Day