SVA Forum

Platinum · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject: Hello

Just thought I'd pop in and say Hi!
Set up my VA business late last year and have ONE client. Hope I get a few more soon... or my hubby will be sending me back to work.

Helen
_________________
Helen Platten
www.platinumadministration.co.uk
www.lovehennahair.co.uk
www.thebeadinglady.co.uk

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the forum. Yes, those elusive first clients ... just where do they hide themselves.

Brief synopsis of previous posts on the matter.

Network like mad.
Target local business centres.
Make sure your web site is up to scratch.
Analyze what your core services are and try to pitch any marketing on those.
If you have any specialist knowledge/skills target markets that might need them.
Send out batches of leaflets/letters each week.
Build up a database of local businesses.
Take any free listings in quality directories.

That should keep you going for a while. It takes around 2 years to get really going. If you are active on forums put your web address as part of your signature.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

planitpurple · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:13 am Post subject:

Welcome to SVA Helen and good luck with your new business.
Yvette
_________________
Yvette Segal
Plan-It Purple Virtual Assistance
http://www.planitpurple.co.uk

ASAP Admin · Moderator Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 854 Location: Glasgow

Welcome to the gang Helen.
_________________
Lyndsey Gilchrist
ASAP Admin
Call Team

Platinum · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:20 am Post subject:

Thank you for the welcome.

Networking - eep, I'm one of those terrified ones who's tongue gets tied when talking to strangers.

Perhaps becoming more active on various forums might work. Then I can think about what I say before I say it.
Live in a village that has tons of small businesses, so am steadily trying to make friends with all the "right" people. When I get the kids back to school after half-term was going to do a "dropping leaflets in people's boxes".

Have been reading all the forums and pinching ideas (thank you ladies) so keeping positive.

Helen
_________________
Helen Platten
www.platinumadministration.co.uk
www.lovehennahair.co.uk
www.thebeadinglady.co.uk

admindoc · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

Hi Helen

Welcome to SVA, good luck with your business.
_________________
Angela Dawson
The Admin Doctor
t: 01670 618628 / 07855746777
http://www.theadmindoc.co.uk

For monthly SVA training sessions please visit: http://tinyurl.com/39abrt or to support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

We don't pinch ideas. As if ...

We "recycle" or try to avoid "reinventing the wheel", which is why we exchange ideas and help one another on the forum. Life is tough enough as a small business without struggling for hours with something that can be answered by someone with the knowledge in 5 mins.

As a general rule for any start up VAs
Copying web sites or other VAs leaflets is against copyright law not to mention really upsets many VAs of groups you are trying to join, so don't do it. It is fine to use them for inspiration and ideas but try to come up with something different.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

caroline · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

Hi Helen

Looks like you've been bombarded with great ideas - here's another one! Make sure you are listed in free directories like Yellow Pages, Thompson, online directories etc.

It'll take a wee while to get listed but there's no harm in it and it'll give you a bigger presence on the web and in your local area.

C.
_________________
To support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

Platinum · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

Apologies, oh no, I've already managed to upset someone.
I'll go back into my little hole now.

I should have put pinched in inverted commas. I meant that I have been learning a lot about business ideas.

I'm listed in the next Thompson and Yellow pages and I'm listed on a whole load of local sites. UKVillages.co.uk is a new one I found the other day.

Sorry again, will rethink my phrasing from now on.
_________________
Helen Platten
www.platinumadministration.co.uk
www.lovehennahair.co.uk
www.thebeadinglady.co.uk

caroline · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

Tehe! Sally's not easily offended - I should know!

We have had a few "copycat" VAs recently and it's something we're quite strict about. Whilst there's only so many ways to explain what a VA is and what we do, there's a world of difference from being "inspired" by an idea and lifting the copy straight off someone else's work!

A useful way to check if you are being plagarised is www.copyscape.com

C.
_________________
To support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

If you are going to last on this forum you will have to learn the difference between humour and an online dressing down.

Mine was humour (with a general reminder for newbies)!!

We try (as much as possible) to provide an open and "safe" environment where all can ask those daft and not so daft questions that continue to perplex. The more experienced amongst us will guide and encourage and hopefully point you in the right direction. So don't be afraid to ask.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

Platinum · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:09 am Post subject:

If I was offended I wouldn't have replied.

Promise I'm not a copycat. Like to come up with my own ideas. Idea

I shall try and behave on the forum from now on.
And rewrite everything that I have written twice, just to make sure!
_________________
Helen Platten
www.platinumadministration.co.uk
www.lovehennahair.co.uk
www.thebeadinglady.co.uk

Kelly · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 48 Location: Wiltshire

Hi Helen,
Welcome to the SVA.
Kelly
_________________
Kelly Heath
Enigma Typing Services
www.enigmatyping.co.uk

skva · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Hi Helen - welcome.

I also set up late last year and am currently working for my second client - sadly, the first one was only a one-off, but I just got a lovely testimonial from him Very Happy

.
_________________
Sharon Kemp SK Virtual Assistant For monthly SVA training sessions please visit: http://tinyurl.com/39abrt Or to support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

Burford Secretarial · Moderator Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 540 Location: Kent

Hi Helen,

Welcome to SVA - we are a very friendly bunch here and you will find loads of useful information.
_________________
Charlotte Burford

Burford Secretarial
www.burfordsecretarial.com

For monthly SVA training sessions please visit: http://tinyurl.com/39abrt

Or to support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec