New Guest Blogger, Heather McMillan (@va_resource) – 5 Ways To Attract Clients

I am thrilled to announce that Heather McMillan, The Virtual Assistant Resource, has graciously agreed to become a guest on my blog. Her first article is fabulous! My thanks to Heather for accepting  my invitation to guest post on my blog.

Since so many people indicated they were having a difficult time getting clients, I thought I would share with you my top 5 ways to attract clients to you.

1. Have a website. It’s not just enough to have a website, but you need to have one that tells what you can do and as I always recommend post the maximum amount you charge indicating that special rates are available for retainers or regular clients. Make sure your website doesn’t look childish with clip art animated images and crazy fonts or colors. Make it easy to read and professional looking. If you can’t make your own website, get someone else to do it for you. It’s worth every penny!
2. Be available. I have worked with many VA’s that were never available to answer phone calls or emails from potential clients. You need to set some time aside to be available via telephone and email and maybe even instant messaging. Also, be sure your RETURN phone calls even if you think it’s something not worth it to you. It’s amazing how often I’ve talked to people that didn’t fit my ideal client, but because I was nice to them they were able to refer me to someone that was a good fit for me. If you are never available, you will never get clients. Even consider putting some of those free live chat with me now scripts on your website and set aside a few hours each day to be logged into that and waiting for people.
3. Make the most of social media. And don’t just use it to talk about your personal life. Use it to taut your accomplishments, your skills, your training, and what you can do for clients. Show them HOW you can benefit them. For example, dont’ say, “I’m a really fast typer!” Instead say something like, “If you charge your clients $100 per hour, I can save you $200 per day or more by handling your email responses for you.” You want potential clients to see the value of you–that their hourly rates are much higher than yours, so you can do the things like respond to emails or update web pages, etc. that they are wasting time doing as valuable as their time is for their business. Use Facebook, Twitter, and the like to interact–and don’t just friend your friends! Find some business owners and follow/friend them.
4. Use resources wisely. If you already have one client or two, even if they are not regular clients, offer them an incentive to refer you to others. Give them a percentage or dollar amount off their next service with you if they refer you to someone who signs a contract with you or does business with you. Most of my clients have come from such referrals!! Do not underestimate the power of referrals from those you work with, and do not be afraid to ask them if they know anyone that might need your services. Business owners go to a lot of professional development courses, trainings, and mastermind groups. They meet other business owners that may be able to use your services!
5. Be consistent. Every day make time to market your VA business. Showing up consistently helps establish your presence with your clients, and it makes them more likely to want to do business with you. Seeing you on a daily basis marketing your business means you are not a fly by night business, and they won’t have to worry about you closing your doors 2 weeks into working with them.

Keep moving toward success!

Heather L. McMillan is owner of the Virtual Assistant Resource dedicated to providing administrative assistants and secretaries with he knowledge, realistic view, and proper tools to run a successful virtual assistant business from home.
While Heather is best known for her organizational skills, her clients find her honest but heart-centered advice and approach to running a virtual assistant business helps them survive the natural ups and downs of running a virtual assistant business. Heather believes that you cannot be successful until you realize your virtual assistant business will constantly evolve! She’s been a virtual assistant for 14 years and an administrative professional for 21 years.