By Tina Hilton of Clerical Advantage

One of the great things about writing blog posts that people comment on, is that those comments often end up as the material for another post. My prior two posts concerning virtual assistant rates have been just those type of posts. People have left really great comments both here and over at my Conference Table blog where I always provide links to my Home Office Warrior posts. That’s where I found this comment by a new virtual assistant asking a pretty common question. She comments:

I’m just starting my business. I’m a virtual assistant, with a background in administration and business writing. I agree that you shouldn’t undervalue your services, and I definitely think you should work to build a collaborative relationship with your clients. But, right now, the economy is not so great, and I’m trying to just get clients in the door, so that I can prove my worth. There has to be a happy medium in there somewhere. What do you think?

What do I think? I actually took some time to ask myself exactly what I did think about that statement. This is my conclusion.

Yes, the economy could be looked at as a stumbling block for a start up company, but then how would you explain the start-ups that are succeeding right now? Are they just lucky? Perhaps some of it can be attributed to luck, however the biggest reason these companies aren’t effected by the economy is because they don’t see it as being an issue. The high failure rate of new businesses isn’t something new that has just come along with this installment of the American economy. Those starting a business have always been faced with challenges of some sort. It’s how they’ve chosen to meet those challenges that makes or breaks them.

Don’t use the economy as an excuse to why you’re not gaining clients. Examine what tactics you’re using to make contact with those in your target market. (You do have a target market right?) As in my fishing analogies before, if you’re not ‘catching’ clients with what you’re doing than perhaps you need to make some changes in how you’re marketing your services or whom you’re marketing them to. Have you thought of speaking to local chapters of civic groups like the Kiwanis or Lions clubs? Many of these groups are on the lookout for interesting speakers for their meetings. A presentation on making your office or organization ‘green’ or ‘outsourcing’ your organization could open doors for you in the community. Find out what type of information your target market is looking for and offer it to them. Think of new and innovative ways to get your name and what you have to offer out there to as many potential clients as possible.

Do you believe in yourself and your business? This is crucial. You would be surprised how many new virtual assistants answer this question with a half hearted response. It’s obvious they lack confidence in themselves and/or their business. If you don’t believe in yourself, how do expect someone else to do so? When I say ‘believe’ I’m asking you if you have a confidence in your skills and what you can provide to a client? We’re not talking false bravado here. The services I offer through Clerical Advantage are services that not only am I capable of doing, I’m confident and comfortable doing them. I know I’m focused and committed enough to complete projects and tasks and professional enough to hold myself to high standards. I’m also professional enough to admit when something is beyond me and help my clients find someone else who can perform that task with the same commitment to quality and professionalism that I would give them.

So I guess my answer to the commenter on my post would be this. There is no happy medium. Because medium is mediocre. In order to gain clients you have to be exceptional and market yourself with that in mind!

If you have questions concerning virtual assistance or have an interest in working with a virtual assistant you can contact Tina Hilton or visit her business website for Clerical Advantage.