When the client search is on

When we are new in business, or business is slow, the client search takes place. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to look, what to do, who to contact, in order to secure clients quickly.  After all we’re in business to make money and to do that we need clients. Where do they come from?

They should come via our own efforts of networking, connecting with people, both offline and online, and helping people to learn about our services. They should come from our own personal databases and personal connections. They shouldn’t come from attempts to lure clients away from other VAs and service providers, nor should it be through spamming or making a nuisance of ourselves.  There is a right way to build your database and a wrong way.

I wrote an article for the Australian Virtual Assistants Association today, because of recent events that I became aware of.  One I’ve experienced personally several times, where new VAs have contacted me begging for work. And I know that many VAs via discussion forums have had the same thing take place. The other relates to a VA business contacting the clients of other VAs and attempting to lure the clients through the offer of very cheap rates for the services provided. This is called poaching and is unethical.

The article begins below.

When VAs (or anyone in business for that matter) are starting out, it is very tempting to go to where you know existing clients are. By that I mean, a client you know who is already using a VA.  Or perhaps you might choose to contact an existing VA to see if they have any ‘extra’ work you can pass on to them.

Both of these practices are frowned upon in the industry.  You can read more about this article here.