ISSN 1939-2834
Vol. 2, No. 22 | June 2, 2008

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In This Issue:

• From the Editor
• MARKETING & NETWORKING: 5 Tips for Marketing on a Budget
• Next Free Teleseminar on June 19, 2008
• Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today

From the Editor

When you are operating on a budget, you do have a few resources at your disposal that can achieve amazing results in marketing your business — and they don't cost a dime. Mary Judge is here this week to let you in on a few simple secrets.

Be fierce!

Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce

5 Tips for Marketing on a Budget

When you started your business you probably had grandiose ideas on how you would make money, retire rich, spend more time with your family or do more things with your leisure time. But it isn’t happening, right? Why not? Because so many start-up businesses are putting their money in the wrong places and not spending it wisely. You don’t necessarily need a lot of money in order to have a good marketing strategy.

Businesses don’t just HAPPEN. They need to be worked on in order to be profitable. Your customers need to know who you are, where you are located, what you sell, what makes you different from the competition, and, most importantly, what you can do for them. How are they going to know that?

"Make a better mouse trap and they will come…" I think we’ve all heard sayings like that or something similar at least.

"Build it and they will come…" Not necessarily.

So now that you are IN business but don‘t HAVE any business, how do you start to market yourself without a lot of money? Here are five tips to get your started:

1. Network, network, network! Your clients need to know who you are. They will not beat a path to your door if they don’t know you. We have all heard the saying “It’s not what you know but who you know,” right? Well, let me turn that around a little and say, “It isn’t who you know, but who knows YOU” that is important. Get out there, talk to people; don’t be shy about giving out business cards.
   
   
2. Know your target market. Figure out where they hang out, both locally and online. No point in spending money needlessly in places where your potential clients aren’t going to see you. Your target market needs to hear your message at least 7-10 times before they will act on it.
   
   
3. Make yourself newsworthy. Write a press release. Maybe you are new in town, or have introduced a new product. Write an article about it and submit it to your local newspapers. What better form of no-cost advertising is there?!
   
   
4. Maximize referrals. Giving referrals to local businesses will get you known by them and you will eventually receive them in return.
   
   
5. Team up with someone else. Maybe you could do a joint ad with another business offering complementary services that has the same target market as you. This would greatly reduce your advertising costs and give you credibility to establish yourself with an existing business.

There are many more ways in which you can get creative with your limited marketing budget. Sometimes that's all that is needed... a little creativity can go a long way.

RESOURCE: For more information on how to build your business, Entrepreneur.com is a great resource.

About the Author: Mary Judge owns Virtually Working for You and has more than 25 years experience as an administrative professional working for senior management in sales and marketing. Her vast experience allows her to provide a wide range of services to help you effectively operate and manage your administrative business needs. Her top-notch skills in PowerPoint, Excel and Word allow her to provide you with the administrative support that you and your clients need. To find out more about Mary's services, visit her website at http://www.VirtuallyWorkingForYou.com

Next FREE Teleseminar on June 19, 2008: Marketing to Attract Your Ideal Client

Marketing isn't a one-time event. It's an activity that requires a plan and consistent effort. Your business will also never move forward if you are working with anyone and everyone under the sun instead of just those clients you are meant to serve who have a need for the solution you offer.

But how do you determine who your ideal client is? What are the best ways to reach and connect with them? These questions and more will be answered at our next VACOC Guest Expert Teleseminar on Thursday, June 19, 2008, with Nancy Michaels of Grow Your Business Network.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY >>

- A D V E R T I S E M E N T -

SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD? Have you been wondering what this administrative solution called Virtual Assistance is all about? Not to worry! The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce has written an online guide to answer all your questions: The Client's Guide to Virtual Assistants.

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- A D V E R T I S E M E N T -

TIRED OF WADING through the thousands of Virtual Assistant sites on the Internet? Would you like qualified, competent and reputable Virtual Assistants to come to you instead? Simply submit your Request for Partnership at the VACOC RFP Center.

See Your Ad Here! 

Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today!

You don't have to live in overwhelm. You CAN get just the help you need without having to hire in-house staff. Find yourself a great Virtual Assistant today, and go from struggling by yourself to getting things done and thriving on the road to success.

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ABOUT THE VACOC: Founded by industry veteran Danielle Keister in 2006, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association committed to empowering business-minded Virtual Assistants grow smarter, more successful practices, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with reputable, qualified Virtual Assistant professionals.

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Disclaimer: Neither Danielle Keister nor the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce endorses the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisements above nor the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. Please do your own due diligence BEFORE purchasing any product.

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