Get Clients Now! Update #3

I worked through the Get Clients Now! program in June, and wrote about it  here, here, and here . The condensed version: I started strong and full of enthusiasm. I wanted to really challenge and push myself, but after a couple of weeks, realized that my schedule (full-time job on top of my biz) was not going to allow me to reach most of my goals. I decided to re-direct my energies to a couple of areas for the last part of the program, then take a week’s vacation in early July and work on the part I had made no progress on: networking and referral building.

While I didn’t accomplish everything on my to-do list (I was on vacation after all, and spent most afternoons by the pool!) it was very productive and successful. I attended two networking lunches. The first groups didn’t seem to be a very good fit for me; the second, however, was much more successful. I had two members express interest in my services for their business, and I had members attending from other chapters who encouraged me to visit their chapters as well. Turns out, there isn’t another Virtual Assistant in any of the chapters in Memphis, so my business wouldn’t conflict with another one in any of the chapters.

I did attend another chapter meeting last Thursday morning, and also found several members interested in my services and how it could help their businesses. I am very pleased with the overall reception I had, and with the interest there was among the members. My problem – committing to a weekly meeting at this time. Given my work schedule, a breakfast meeting would be best; however, most of them start at 7:30 am and I have to drop my son off at school after 7:45 am. This means I would be late every meeting during the school year, and miss out on some of the best time for one-on-one networking. In another year, when my son is in high school (which starts at 7:15 am!!!) attendance would be less of an issue. And, my business may have grown to the point that I am no longer having to work the full-time job, which opens up myschedule considerably.

For now, I’m going to attend some of the other chapter meetings, and see which one seems to work best for me. Then, I’ll decide if it is the right time to join or not.

So, I’ve got several potential clients, a long list of ideas for blog posts, and a feeling that this business is actually going to work. Just hearing people express interest in what I do, and how I can help their business was very reassuring.

Next, I’m going to take the rest of July and work through the potential clients I’ve met. At the end of the month, I’ll see where things stand, and consider doing another 28 days of the Get Clients Now! program in August.

I think this is a great program, and I strongly encourage anyone with a service business to consider it. In addition to the structure and wealth of ideas on getting cleints, I also like that it is flexible. They have a plan set out for you to use, but you can adjust it to fit your schedule. As I learned in June, with my schedule, I probably need to focus on fewer areas so that I can really devote myself to them. I may even plan to work on the program fewer days during the week, so I have at least one day completely off from work and business. Or, I may come up with something else that works for me.

If anyone else has done the Get Clients Now! program, what are your thoughts on it? If you are considering the program and have questions, please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer them.

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