How many of you think about marketing your VA business? Marketing is something clients do, not virtual assistants. After all, VAs put out posts that tell the world what we do. But do we consider the value our target market will receive from them? No, not really. Be truthful because if we did, our posts would have our target market beating a path to our door.
My biggest takeaway for anyone starting their VA business has always been about consistency in everything that you do. No one likes a quitter, not even you. But it’s only social media, right? It’s only a Facebook post or an Instagram post; it doesn’t matter if I don’t post today!
When it comes to marketing your VA business, consistency and persistence are the keys to successful marketing your business.
The internet is covered by marketers who give amazing advice away for free. You just need to follow the right ones. Experiment with different strategies, identify what works best for you, and focus on building long-term client relationships. Over time, your reputation and word-of-mouth referrals will become valuable marketing assets. But with everything else, Marketing can be a double-edged sword. The good, the bad and the ugly …
The following is just a short, very short list of things NOT TO DO. This is the ugly side of marketing, which we easily fall into when marketing business because we don’t deem ourselves worthy of good marketing or we don’t know the first thing about it. Marketing isn’t just about posting on social media.
1. Promise everything and deliver nothing – Avoid making unrealistic promises or offering services you cannot deliver. Be honest about your capabilities and set clear expectations with clients.
2. Not knowing who your target market is – Know your target audience and tailor your marketing messages to address their specific needs and pain points. What is it that they desperately need, and how will life look for them without the pain!!
3. I’m not big enough for or don’t need a website – I call BS on this one. Every business person should have a website. Now that is said, I see many VA websites that are poorly designed or outdated, and if they turn me away, imagine what they are doing to your target market.
4. You don’t call out your uniqueness – With many virtual assistants in the market, it’s essential to differentiate yourself. Highlight your unique skills, what you bring, and your value proposition. Share what you can do for the client, not what a VA can do for them.
5. Your brand is inconsistent – Ensure consistent branding across all your marketing channels, including your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials. Inconsistent branding can confuse potential clients.
6. Stop selling your services in a DM to new connections – Avoid spamming potential clients with unsolicited DMs when they accept your connection request on Linkedin or follow you on Instagram. Instead, focus on building relationships through personalised and relevant communication.
There is much more to marketing your Virtual Assistant business. Don’t be a copycat and follow everyone else; all you do with that is commoditise yourself. Making your services appear cheap gives clients another reason to compare you with every other virtual assistant on the market and choose the cheapest option.
