Smart Moms Online Discusssion Forum

Hello everyone,

My name is Lisa Watson, and I just stumbled across this site while searching the internet for job opportunities.  My family and I are moving to the Raleigh area this summer from Illinois.  I've been married 11 years, and we have two kids, a 7 and 9 year-old.  I've been a stay-at-home mom since my oldest was 6-months.  I'm also a published author, and work as a co-publicist for the Romantic Times BookReview magazine's annual booklover's convention.  At this point, I'd like to find a job in the Raleigh/Cary area once we arrive in the summer.  Ideally, I'd like to work from home as a Virtual Assistant, or in Corporate America utilizing my communication skills.  This is going to be a big change for me, but I'm ready to find a steady, paying job.  Any advice anyone can offer to help in this quest is GREATLY appreciate!  I look foward to virtually meeting you all, soon.

Lisa  :)   

Dear Lisa and Lynn,

Thank you both for posting to our site.  I know several VA's in the Raleigh area that are doing well.  They have managed to find 4-5 steady clients that keep them very busy.  Here are some suggestions for drumming up business:

1.  Determine what your niche is.  Are you great at presentations with animation? Creating Excel sheets with complicated formulas? Setting up meetings and keeping various calendars? Are very strong with your customer services skills and handling multiple calls?  Whatever your niche is ..market this.   This is how you will stand out among the other VA's in your area. 

2.  Use your network.  Based on your niche, who needs these skills in this area?  Use your friends and associates to help circulate who you are looking for and what you can do.  Perhaps it is realtors, nonprofits, business coaches, churches.  Spend some time thinking about this.

3.  Put a posting on Craigs List under the “services offered” section.  Make sure you have your contracts in place and collection process clearly defined to ensure that you can handle those that are not ideal clients.  There are also other free boards that you can post your VA services on. Consider rtplinks.com, Merchantcircle.com : Linkedin.com There are other and will require some research.   

4.  Do you have a website?  Have you considered Search Engine Optimizing (SEO) your website for that niche service you can provide in additional to using the keyword “Raleigh”?

5.  Consider Meetup.com for a resource of networking groups that may be able to use your services.  There are many entrepreneur groups, moms in business groups, etc.  Visit these groups on a regular basis and begin to let the members know you and what you can do.  You may have to do some work at a reduced cost to gain their confidence if you do not have references or certifications sheets. Not to worry it is only for a short period. 

Hope this helps.  If not please email me at garla@smart-moms-online.com  We can brainstorm together. 

Good Luck,

Garla