What’s your business structure? Is it fully optimized for success? Consider the following:

What’s your ideal client How many hours do you want to work? How much money do you wish to earn?

Creating your ideal conditions will attract your ideal client ?

Specialize Virtual assistant specializing in Aweber setup Graphic designer specializing in affiliate blog

setup Copywriter specializing in direct ad writing

Choose the task(s) that you enjoy most, that energize you

Make a list Things you love vs things you hate

Analyze your list What tasks can you outsource? What services can you eliminate? What services can you promote?▪ Specialize in THESE services!

Is there a need for your specialized services? Conduct polls & other market research

Setup your ideal business first to attract ideal clients

Check out your competitors’ prices Check sites like Elance, VA Networking or Guru.com Look for networks where higher pay goes to

established freelancers Create special introductory offers

Then upsell client to other, regular-priced services Beware…some clients expect the low prices

forever

Introductory Offers May not attract your ideal client Always set a limit▪ How long the offer will remain in effect▪ How many units a new client can purchase▪ On amount of time offered

Always post your limits within the ad copy Always call it an introductory offer

Your website, forms, brochures & business cards should be professional This will attract professional clients

Be aware of what image your photographs portray If you’re in a suit, you’ll attract formal clients If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll attract informal

client

Create a strong project management system & communications protocol Create contracts & project management

spreadsheets Be very clear about your expectations & what

services you will provide

Let clients know when you’ll be available Let clients know about any rush charges for

same day service Ask for their preferred method of contact Keep a simple, one-page chart for each client

Create packages that suit you but delight your clients

Packages should provide high-value service options One-time setup packages Recurring monthly packages Add a shopping cart button TELL your client what you want them to do with a

call to action

Track your time Client work time When you stop for lunch or phone calls

This can help find where you’re wasting time & how to work more efficiently

Be clear & focused about how you want to spend your time

Your professional website Should LOOK like a website, not a blog Use WordPress & create a static home page Choose a catchy name Highlight your specialty Featured Content boxes allow client interactivity Video gives a sample of your personality

Prominent sign up web form with incentive Share buttons & RSS feed button Call to action Client testimonials just above the fold Relevant header graphic Professional colors White space to keep client focused on message Helpful menu tabs

Create a Client Kit folder & keep it on your desktop for easy access Create a backup or master file & store elsewhere

in case of a computer crash Your kit should include:

Email templates outlining packages Price list Client questionnaire

Should tell you everything you need to know about a project

Should help your client think about the different aspects of the projects clearly

Should prequalify your client Eliminates the ‘mindreader’ factor Will help determine pricing Create 2 versions:

1 for exploratory, 1 for when client commits

Include a Client Profile sheet for when they commit

Create other forms or handouts that will be helpful to your client

Always brand your forms with your company name, logo & simple contact details

Join local networking groups

Carry business cards, brochures or samples

Volunteer to hold a workshop

Have a six-second mission statement ready Concisely describe what you do, then offer an

extra business card to pass along

Check LinkedIn daily Word of mouth recommendations Refine your web content to target your ideal client Advertise Facebook ads, other online ads Target your competitors

Use specialized job boards Example: Problogger

Get to know the more general job boards & directories Example: Elance & Guru.com

Create a special offer for membership forums

Fiverr Great for posting introductory offers Everything is $5 so plan carefully Be very specific about the scope of your offer

How many clients do you need & want? Avoid relying on one big client

You never know when that client’s needs will change & if they leave you won’t have any clients

Diversify Take on at least 3 clients If one client leaves, you can get more work from

the other 2 or start looking for another client

Plan to grow your business from the start

How many people do you want to employ?

How many departments will you need as you expand?

Plan a time frame for growth & expansion

Become a full-fledged company with employees & physical office space

Grow then sell your business Run the business yourself Run the business yourself but expand by

outsourcing Plan the outsourcing from the beginning What type of work will you outsource? What type of contractors will you need?

Your fee formula should be based on: Expenses Competitor pricing What the market will bear Your unique mix The added value you bring to your services Your unique experiences & skills

Create digital products & resources

You can reach a different segment of your target market

Your products can work for you & generate passive income

Install Paypal payment buttons on your services & products pages

Very often a client who purchases a product will contact you about your premium services Your product acted as a sampler It was branded with your contact info This creates trust & goodwill Even if your customer never returns, you still

made money on the products

The product you give away when someone signs up for your list Make it highly-focused It should supply their most immediate need Brand with you logo & contact information

A subscriber list allows you to keep in touch with potential customers & build relationships

1. Research ideal client2. Determine what fees the market will bear3. Determine how much your ideal client is used

to paying4. Research your competitors & their fees5. Setup a well-optimized website6. Create special offers for membership forums7. Advertise, as your budget allows8. Join local networking groups

9. Create workshops10. Volunteer11. Check social media daily12. Advertise on job boards or directories13. Create a sign up incentive14. Create a client resource section15. Create a digital product16. Referred the ‘wrong’ client to a more

appropriate professional

1. Ask for referrals on your website2. Bribe visitors to spread the word3. Hand out business cards everywhere4. Update your website quarterly & tell your

list5. Ask clients for referrals when they thank you

for a job well done6. Ask for recommendations on whatever

social media sites the client uses regularly

Managing clients & turning them into repeat customers can be tricky

Don’t become too comfortable in your business

Build your reputation Generate consistent positive

recommendations Remain visible in your field Grow with technology

Keep your Client Kit easily accessible Price services competitively Research your ideal client Fine tune your services Optimize your website Develop a 6-second mission statement Advertise (if necessary) Keep up to date on job boards Create appealing client packages

Do what you promised! Delivering mistake-free, top quality product Meet your deadline

Make sure you work well with your client’s team or employees You never know if one of these employees will

recommend you to some one else

1. Separate the delivery from the message Don’t be tempted to yell back but do understand

the source of the complaint If the yelling continues, warn the client that you’ll

be hanging up but would be happy to continue the conversation at another time

Try not to engage in this argument

2. Apologize to the client Keep it simple Don’t offer an explanation unless asked for Don’t apologize if the client is being abusive or

yelling – wait until the client is calmer3. Nasty emails

Don’t react Fix the problem Keep emotional language out of the response

4. Keeping the client or cutting them loose There’s no right or wrong answer Only you know if you can handle their

personality & demands Never accept abusive language or behavior Don’t burn bridges Offer the names of other service providers to the

client Don’t keep clients who cost you time & money

Be aware of changes in your client’s business Don’t be afraid to ask questions as changes

occur Don’t assume your client will tell you about

every change Tell clients about added services as your

business changes Talk to your client about their goals Always deliver high quality

Did you find this presentation interesting? Visit my site http://theaffiliatemom.com/

to read more articles about virtual assistant business.

Again My site is http://theaffiliatemom.com/ and my name is Anastasia Vasilopoulou and I

am from Greece. My e-mail address is anastasia.vasilopoulou@mail.com