It's been 3 months now...

And I'm on the long slow slog to build up my client base enough so that I earn enough money not to worry as much! I market online and offline at networking events, I run my own networking events too, I've got myself a brilliant business coach, updated my website and am doing courses to improve my skill set - quite frankly it's utterly knackering doing all of this let alone looking after the kids and then actually DOING the work I have in!

But I'm getting there. I'm just impatient I guess and financial pressures mean I feel like I need to be there now. I'm never going back to being employed though - being my own boss, being there for my kids, choosing who I want to work with and having an actual life rocks far too much for that, quite frankly.

Back to the grind now at 8.30pm and I'll be here past midnight... but if I have to it now, then so be it.

New client and others promoting me!

This week has been great as I have started working with my first proper regular client who seem to be willing to trust me with both big things and smaller but equally essential things. Big smile on my face!!! I had a brilliant skype meeting with them (and I taught them how to skype at the same time which was fun!!!!

A VA I did some sub work for back in June finally paid me this week too so my bank balance is a little happier.

Also a friend/client who I've helped out has been telling loads of her contacts about me and how fab I am so fingers crossed I hear from one of them soon!!! Must remember to sort out some article writing for her to say thank you but its just the most awesome kind of publicity!!! The free kind of other people saying your brilliant and they tell you about it later... So yep, a great week in R&R VA Services land :-)

Building up my client base...

I'm rather pleased that things seem to be on the up at the moment. After careful following up I appear to have a regular client! Don't want to say who yet unless it all goes horribly wrong at some point but yay to me!!!

I also have a client who keeps coming back for another one off job, ooh and could you just do another one too so am hopeful he may become a regular too. We'll just have to wait and see but currently rather proud of my little business and need to get networking again to increase my client base even more.

Clients...

I am waiting to hear whether Set Deisgn have decided to work with me or have me train them in Social Media. Waiting is really hard!!!!! Finding the right length of time to follow up on the meeting and emails with a 'so, do you want to work together?' that isn't too pushy (ie too quickly, before they have had time to think about it properly) or leaving it too long so they have lost interest and moved on to the next idea, is tricky.

Also wanted to follow up with an old friend who contacted me on Facebook re his t-shirt design business in response to a retweet that came up as my status. I'd love to meet up with him anyway but the possibility I could help him grow his business is also great BUT....he seems to have deleted his Facebook profile!!! His comments (and therefore his links!) have gone from my wall and I can't remember the exact name of his company so can't find the website aaaggghhhhh!!!!! Guy if you're reading this by some great chance (Google probably!!) email me please.

Some work to be getting on with

The business cards I sorted out for a friend have arrived today and look really great! She starts her music leadership career as of today so good luck Cherie, inspire those kids!!!!!

Now, off to source a good web designer for my brother's music production (fledgling) company! Where does he find the time?? Air line pilot by day, sleep deprived new daddy of 11 week old by night and also metal type music producer......

All I need now is some clients who will actually pay me!

Big lesson learnt!!!

Yes it was about payment. Having been on training courses and read it everywhere on the VA forums and blogs about always getting payment in advance, guess what newbie, desperate to get going me didn't do......obvious isn't it.

Don't get me wrong, client has paid and everything but the dynamic between us is a bit skewed now. Its a bit too employer/employee which is NOT what I want at all!!!! Plus I was really anxious and I mean worried with sick feeling in my stomach anxious until I actually got the payment....it's my own fault I know.

Anyway payment in advance in future!

Word of mouth referral

I'm rather please with myself today! My one paying client has recommended my services to another business owner that she knows and asked to pass on my contact details to them, yippee!! Word of mouth recommendation is the best marketing.

I need to look into a few services like call handling that this client may well need and I have capacity to handle myself. Anyone recommend a reputable company?

Paying Client!

I have just completed and sent off my first piece of paid VA work, yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope they are happy with it and have definatly learned to overestimate the time it will take me slightly!

Lesson learned! Over estimate cost and then over deliver!

Paying client...

Yes!!!! I have a paying client and I'm rather chuffed about it all, small job but hopefully leading to a more long term arrangment.

Check out their website Assault Events.

Some more bits of client work

Just a couple of things to do for a client today, sort out a business card for them and also an invoice template. Should have that done tonight!

It's nice to have some VA work to do!

Fellow mumtrepreneur disscussions

Today has been a day for discussing business ideas with a fellow mumtrepreneur. She is looking into more dynamic ways to teach music to young children so it is more fun and helps them learn more effectivly. I have offered her any admin help she may need in setting up like business plans, applying for funding to start up and key from area is my contacts who may be able to help. She's a friend so it's good practise for me and a way to build up my VA expereince. Another potential client I hope!

As my latest Tweet tells you, I'm just tackling the storage issues in my house so that I can actually have a vaguely dedicated work space without having to move house!!! It's too distracting to try to work surrounded by children's books and toys - will post a picture when it's done.

Happy Client

Well they seem fairly happy with what I've done so far. Hoping that will continue!

Keeping positive

Keeping positive today, or at least trying to. This will happen, people will be satisfied with my work and seek me out for my expertise!! If I say it enough it will happen.

I'm waiting for feedback on my first bit of client work, trying to sort out my website template so it is 'branded', get my logo designed and still have a job and look after my family. Phew, how do we do it all???? I know lots of other mum's and VA's do.

Going to email Jacky from Back Office PA now. I met her at the VA Success Group Training day and she has asked us all for some questions re blogging etc that she can ask someone she know, just want more people to read this really and up my ratings!

Actually working!

Yes tonight I have actually started my first piece of work for my client. It'll be there on that there intraweb for them to review in the morning. I foresee having no time in the evenings at all if this keeps up! Guess until this is my proper job that's how it's gonna be.

I'm quite pleased about that really!

Clients, OMG!!!

Can't believe it but have had at least one query and another possibility already! I'm not even in business yet...need to get more organised and fast!