It goes without saying that one of the most important aspects of any VA/client relationship is communication. This is true in any relationship, be it a marriage, friendship or working relationship - but as a professional Virtual Assistant you've got a particular responsibility to maintain the bridge of communication with your client at a higher and more expressive level simply because you don't have the luxury of face to face interaction as well as because you work independently - which means it's your job to keep your client up to speed on where you are in terms of work done/work in progress, etc.
Because you are a literally virtual entity to your client, they aren't privy to the tone of your voice or your facial expressions nor can they see that you're busily working away at their requests, and so can only glean a sense of who you are, what you're all about, and what you bring to the table in the way of professionalism via your emailed or faxed messages.
Just a few thoughts on ensuring an open and clear line of communication and understanding between you and your client:
ALWAYS reply to an email that contains any form of a question. Even if the answer to the question *seems* obvious to you or doesn't seem to need an answer. If the client ends a sentence with a question mark they are asking you for your input, response, or even just acknowledgement that you are both 'on the same page', so to speak.
If the question the client asks is 'Do you have any questions?" and you don't - still send a quick reply letting them know that you've received their email and that you have a clear sense of what it is they're asking for. And of course, if you *do* have questions - ASK!
Everyone has their own style of getting their points, needs, and expectations across. If you don't fully understand these things in a client request, ask for clarification.
Many new VA's may feel that asking alot of questions or writing back for a quick verification on an unclear aspect of a project will make them appear inexperienced, incapable, or otherwise unprofessional. This is simply not the case! In fact, it's far more professional to follow up on an unclear bit of info before proceeding with a project rather than continuing ahead with it uncertain if you're completing it to the client's exact specifications.
There truly is no such thing as a stupid question!
If you're feeling unsure about something, type a quick email response quoting the part of the client's text that was unclear for you, explain what it is you are seeking information about/an answer to/clarification on and send it immediately.
Time wasted trying to 'figure it out' or 'just winging it' will cost you and your client dearly in the end, especially if the product you offer as an end result is NOT what the client had in mind after all. You can spare yourself lost hours and your client the effort of asking you to rework the project (or worse!) by clarfying any uncertainties right away.
Many projects will require you to check in with your client as you proceed - asking questions along the way - if your questions are well formed and expressed they should get you the answers you need to continue as well as show your client that you are in fact very capable and experienced. Even the most experienced VA will need to ask questions
ALWAYS write/communicate in a professional manner and with an 'educated' voice.
Most professionals thrive on well-articulated information and communication - when communicating with a client, take their own cadence, approach to your interactions, and way of communicating into account. A good VA can emulate this to a degree that puts the client immediately at ease and helps keep them in their 'comfort zone'.
It is not your job to 'pretend' you're something that you're not - but it IS your job to present yourself as what you were hired to be: a skilled, educated professional service provider. It's great if your clients are friendly with you and you've found that sense of rythm in communication that fits like a glove and means more ease of movement in your work together - but new VA's with brand new clients should tread carefully when communicating - keep personal details (family squabbles, illnesses, personal dramas, etc.) to yourself! Don't litter your emails with the desperate saga of the argument you and your love had the previous night. This should really go without saying - be professional. Until your client gives you any indication that they are interested in your personal life, keep it to yourself.
Part of presenting yourself as a professional is to write intelligently - don't take your language, spelling and grammar skills lightly. Spell check, proofread, and re-read. Make sure your emails are concise and easy to understand. While your client has much more leeway in their own style of communication you must always present your own as if it is the most important email of the day, even if it's not. That doesn't mean you have to keep your emails void of personality or write like a 'robot' - but it does mean careful attention to what you're writing and how you're writing it. Email is a wonderful tool for communication, it is the lifeline between you and your client - use it wisely and take advantage of the spell-check option!
DO respond to a client who has offered criticism or even an outright complaint about something. Don't ignore these emails - they are an invitation to learn more about what the client wants and expects from you and are an opportunity to you to take your skills to the next level. A client who takes the time to point out aspects of a completed project that were not up to their expectations or did not satisfy their intended requirements is really doing you a favor in expressing these things to you. Accept that you will sometimes miss that perfect mark and learn from it before moving on. Ignoring a client's email, especially when it is an attempt on their part to help you hone your skills toward what they are looking for is a big no-no.
Again, clients thrive on information from and communication with their VA's and appreciate knowing that their concerns have been heard, understood and taken into account. As mentioned before, if you don't understand why the client has taken issue with a particular aspect of your work ask questions!
A professional VA sees opportunity in *everything* - the good and the bad, the easy and the frustrating. Developing a VA practice is an ongoing process - it means constant growth, learning, and expansion. It also means working with many different styles of people and personalities - understanding how to communicate with each and every one on an individual level is crucial to the success of your practice.
Have any of you experienced a difficult communication situation with a client that you'd like to share? How did you approach this issue and find resolution to it? Do you have any further tips on client communication to add?
Communication is crucial - don't leave your clients in the dark
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING! 
Kels 
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