Marketing, Marketing and more Marketing!

The word these past few weeks has been “marketing”.

As in….putting my business out there in front of as many people as I possibly can so I can get some business in.

So this week in marketing is a new promotional postcard.  Actually I created two new ones, one targeting newsletter creation, and one more general.  It’s the general one I am sending out in the next few weeks.  I will send the newsletter one out after that.

My husband suggested sending 200 postcards from my 500 person list, which I created from a variety of sources; like the phone book, the Chamber membership list, etc.  It all took me forever to type up, but I now have 500 local names to target.

Anyhow, my husband suggested sending postcards to 200  people, then waiting a few weeks and sending another postcard to the same 200 people, then again.  I thought that was a really good suggestion, since I read someplace it takes up to seven times getting your name out in front of someone before they actually notice you. 

I have a LONG way to go!

The next marketing “event” this week is a table at my local bank.  One of the things I honestly would never have even thought of.  My bank has what they call “business of the week”; although you are allowed the table for two weeks.  My two weeks started yesterday.  I have a large 20×30 poster up on the table with a cute graphic of a man buried under a ton of paper, with the caption “Overwhelmed with paperwork?”  (which just happens to be my newest postcard campaign!)  It’s a catchy graphic, and hopefully will draw people to my table.  The table is set up with my two latest postcards, my business cards and my brochure.  I thought about some sort of “give-away”, but really couldn’t come up with something that jumped out at me.  I’m taking suggestions, if anyone has one!

My next marketing event a few weeks from now…..an 8-minute presentation to my BNI group.

Onward!

Kathy

Welcome!

Well I finally decided to create a Blog!

I honestly don’t know what exactly I will find to write about, but I decided I should try anyhow.

The reason I’m doing this is not because I’m trying to catch up on technology.  Simply because I was asked by a client to research blogging, and figured the best way was to actually create a blog myself.

So a little about myself.  I am a Virtual Assistant.  Actually, I am a NEW Virtual Assistant.  I opened my business officially around August of last year, and am busily trying to get marketing out there so I can get some clients in.  I have a few small clients, but nothing major at this point.  But I know they are out there, and I will find them!

Seriously, I’m working two part-time jobs at the moment as well as trying to do marketing for my new business, writing a business plan, making up flyers, brochures, postcards and all the other wonderful things that go along with marketing a new business.

I feel like I know all about marketing at this point.  In fact, one of my very good friends, who is a coach, whom I just started working with, told me I should become a Marketing VA.  I really don’t konw if I have enough experience Marketing just yet to council anyone, but it’s an interesting thought.  Maybe down the road.

So, why did I decide to become a VA?  I think the thing about me is I like to help people.  I have such a strong background in administration and office management that I can just “see” the bigger picture.  I can “see” what a business needs to do to take care of itself.  I’m good at putting policies in place, and seeing that the business owner understands the new policies and practices.  In the long run, a well organized business will do so much better, financially, than a business that’s just floundering and has no true direction.  And that’s what I love doing.

I think back on the jobs I have had (and there have been many of them).  I think eventually I got bored with them because I took control, got them up and running efficiently, then had nothing worthwhile to do anymore.  It’s tough watching your “baby” after it’s all grown up knowing that it no longer needs you.

I have so much to give so many businesses. 

Anyhow, that’s who I am and why I became a VA.  And I’m sure you will hear more about me and my business in other posts.

So, welcome, and I hope to entertain you more later!

Kathy