Over the past few months I’ve had a number of approaches from people who have developed a product or service that they want to promote to the Virtual Assistant industry. Sometimes it’s clear to me that they don’t understand the VA industry at all and after discussing their product or service and our industry, they go away again – back to the drawing board. Other times they come at it with a focus from their country only – they forget our industry is global not nationally focused.
If you’re developing a product or service for the industry and you begin to approach industry leaders in order to get the product or service promoted, then here is a list of suggested things for you to think about and make sure you have covered:
- If the product requires the use of phone systems what countries is it suitable for?
- If your product or service means the input of data, what kind of back up system do you have in place and guarantees relating to this? Our (VA) data is our bread and butter and online back up systems could be a concern, particularly with new services and businesses – they have no history to demonstrate credibility and safety.
- What format is the data in and can it be exported so we can do backups on our own computer systems?
- If you have a form for filling out, make sure it will accept several different phone number formats and that you have made allowances for states in other countries and zip codes.
- Make sure your pricing lists the currency it’s intended for – otherwise you might get people assuming it’s in their own currency.
- Be prepared to advise if you have approached other VA networks or industry leaders or is the person you’ve just contacted the first?
Having answers prepared in advance for the above will help assist you in getting your product or service out there to the VA industry.
Finally, if you’re seeking a Virtual Assistant industry leader or Network founder to help promote your product or service to the industry, be prepared to allow them to use the product and get familiar with it. As soon as they begin to promote your product or service they will largely be seen by the industry as ‘endorsing’ what you have on offer – it’s only fair that they feel confident about the product or service to be able to do so.
Lyn Prowse-Bishop, MVA, ASO says
Absolutely agree Kathie that it’s important the new product/service is compatible with various countries – since the VA industry is global. I get so annoyed when I go to fill in an online form and there’s no option for any State other than a US one!
Also agree with your comment that developers need to be prepared to allow VA industry leaders or network founders to use the product if they expect them to endorse it. We can’t endorse something we know nothing about. Keeping your cards close to your chest in this situation is not going to work if part of your online marketing is to get people in your target industry to help you promote the product/service.