I do agree with some of what has been said here but what hasn't been are these two things:
1. Marketing is not an instant results activity - you need to invest time and money (in varying quantities/ratios) and keep doing it. One of the things that marketing does for your business is communicate with your target market and build your brand awareness and credibility. this doesn't happen overnight. People usually won't trust you or buy from the very first time they come across your business.
2. DON'T do social media just because you think you have to - and this applies to all forms of marketing. Any marketing you spend time on, and more importantly MONEY on, needs to be thought through. Even if it is free there has to be a reason for doing it, an aim and and outcome in mind - never do marketing (or anything in business) simply because you think you "should".
So my advice is to start from the beginning. Work out what makes your VA business different to the others and don't just troll out the usual no staff wages, no extra equipment, no taxes, pay as you go - these are all standard for a good VA business.
What makes you different could just be you? Your background, your experience, your specialist knowledge about a particular area - I could go on...
Then you need to work out the type of customer you want to work with. I hear so many times clients say well anyone/everyone could use my services. Well, while that may be true is it really practical for you to target all 4 million small businesses in the UK? No.
So start creating a target client profile. You may be a VA but many clients will want to meet up at least occasionally or before they hire you - so you may want to define your geographical area. Then think about the industries you have already worked in - start with business in those same industries as target markets. You can just start with one or two clients who rave about you and build a reputation from there and then your business will continue to grow through reputation and recommendation.
The last thing you need to do is work out how to connect with your target businesses and tell them why they want to work with you - i.e. how you can help them, what makes you different from all the other VAs (please not no apostrophe needed for a PLURAL) and how working with you will make running their own business easier and more profitable. You want to be a revenue generator for them not a cost centre.
For example, I use my VA to proof read my client proposals so that I don't send something out with a silly mistake in. She also does internet research for me which I can then build on. and she manages my online invoice and receipts bookkeeping. Basically she does those thigs that I COULD do but don't WANT to do or have time to do anymore.
Finally, I would recommend that as a new business you start making connections. Whether that be in face to face networking, online networking, social media or anything else. But remember, if you expect to go to one networking meeting, with a fuzzy pitch and no clear goal in mind, and expect to walk away with a client or two - you need to adjust your expectations. It takes time.
People don't just buy from people they like, they buy from people they know or trust as well and again that takes time to build - however you try to do it.
If you can spend the time investing the basics of your marketing then you may find that social media is not for you or key to your success -but either way at least you'll know and you will have made an informed and considered decision.
Good luck!
Alex.
PS Marketing is NEVER free no matter what 'they' say and the amount you are prepared to invest in your own business (and livelihood's) marketing - whether that be in time or money - is a direct indication of how seriously you are prepared to take your business and how successful you will ultimately be. A few tweets just ain't gonna cut it I'm afraid!
