I'm having a chat with another VA about this issue and am wondering where other members weigh in on this one - if a potential client asks for references (as if you were applying for a job) do you provide them? How do you respond?

It's interesting because I don't think a lawyer or even a catering service would be asked for references...

What are your thoughts?

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Plumbers and accountants do not provide them either

I honestly direct them to my website where I have testimonials listed. That usually satisfies them. Only 1 time did I have someone want a list of professional references as well.

I don't have so much of an issue providing references as I do a resume!

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I think I've only been asked for them once, but I have no issue providing them. Most of my clients are referrals so they don't usually ask for them.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I have a few clients that let me list their contact info on my website so that potential clients can ask them about my services. Of course in return, if I gain the new business I give them 25% off of their next retainer or project.

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Trena Stubbs of Apex Virtual Solutions
& Author of The Road to Going Virtual

Sure, I supply references when asked - but I don't really see why they ask - am I really going to give someone a name of someone who is going to say something bad about me?

While it's true that contractors, lawyers, plumbers, etc. don't get asked for references, but when most people are looking for someone in one of those professions, they usually ask friends, colleagues, neighbours, etc. who they use and if they are happy with them. Same thing in my opinion.

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Julia

I just had a prospect ask for references and I advised them that I do not provide references due to the fact that I sign client confidentiality agreements however I direct them to my sight for testimonials.

She replied back that she requries at least 3 references so I replied back very nicely and professionaly stating that I do not send references just like contractors, plumbers or any service professioanls.

I also stated very nicely the reasons why I do not give references. "Not only for confidentiality but for reputation of my business."

Do you think I gave too much information? I don't want my clients or prospect clients that I am desperate for business. I am not desperate for the client and want to keep up the image of a professional firm. Does anyone think I was wrong and should have just refused without explanation?

I offer my testimonials but if they need more than I am offering, I will suggest an outside reference. Even though construction and lawyers don't offer references, they often, actually most often in fact, work off referrals, which as Julia mentioned to me is the same thing.

Any time I have been asked for a reference by one of my clients, who is in the same biz as the prospective client, I always oblige because it usually seals the deal. I am proud of my referrals and testimonials. I work hard enough for them and my clients want to see me succeed just as I want to see them succeed.

Jan

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Well, folks, I disagree. I've asked to contact "satisfied customers" before choosing contractors of all kinds. I ask friends if they've ever used a particular plumber, electrician ... I check doctors ... they are all forms of "references".

A client I'm schmoozing right now asked for references to present to his board of directors before signing a contract. I told him I would ask my clients if they would allow me to provide their contact info to a potential new client.

Why are you hung up on providing references? Do you purchase pigs in pokes? No, you check companies out before spending several hundreds of dollars on a project. There are a ton of threads on this board where we discuss companies, software, and web sites before subscribing. It's not that different.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Originally Posted by scarcasole

I just had a prospect ask for references and I advised them that I do not provide references due to the fact that I sign client confidentiality agreements however I direct them to my sight for testimonials. She replied back that she requries at least 3 references so I replied back very nicely and professionaly stating that I do not send references just like contractors, plumbers or any service professioanls. ?

The reality is that I have had service people provide me with references without asking. Any service provider who will not provide references is questionable in my books. Even if you know they are all going to be great.

I'm not sure what the confidentiality issue is about. All you have to do is ask a client if you can use them as a reference. I've done this several times, including calling one today to ask if I can change her wording in a testimonial because it referred to my old company name. She had no problem and said I didn't even have to ask. (I felt I did b/c I was changing her words, however slightly.)

The choice is to be accommodating and flexible or be like that pretty girl in high school who "played too hard to get and never got got".

Originally Posted by scarcasole

I also stated very nicely the reasons why I do not give references. "Not only for confidentiality but for reputation of my business."

How exactly does providing a reference hurt the reputation of your business? Just curious.

Originally Posted by scarcasole

Do you think I gave too much information? I don't want my clients or prospect clients that I am desperate for business. I am not desperate for the client and want to keep up the image of a professional firm. ?

I think that many of us suffer the "inferiority complex" that comes with being an admin assistant, secretary or whatever and we think we have more to prove than a laywer, plumber, etc. Personally I think there's a fine line between appearing to be "desparate for the business" or "keeping up an image" and being a business person. If someone wants references, what's the big deal?

We chose the guy who renovated our kitchen based on a referral, likewise our electrician, our bathroom renovator and so on.

I think a lot of us have to get over ourselves and get on with the process of running a business.

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Julia

Thanks everyone for pitching in your ideas and thoughts on this.
Initially I thought I wouldn't offer references if asked, and 100% of my clients thus far have come by referral (except the first) so I've never been asked, until recently.

In the end, it was quite fun contacting my clients to ask if they'd be willing to be contacted as references - their replies were flattering and it felt great to get that feedback and know they'll enthusiastically 'sell' me to a potential client

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