meeting face to face - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

I was curious as to how many of you actually meet clients face to face? The reason I ask this is because I am from a small town and I have a feeling most of my clients I will never meet face to face. Is there anything that I should watch out for when working with someone just over the computer?

sarah

ladygrn · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

I live in a small town, too.
I've had a couple of local clients so of course, I've met them face to face. Everybody knows everybody in this town!
When dealing with potential clients that I will probably never meet, I google them, check them out on social media sites and there are a number of phone call and/or emails before they actually become clients. It turns out to be just a gut feeling at that point.
Also, the first contract is usually for three months - maybe six months. That gives both of us a chance to see if we are going to be a good fit. I don't want to be stuck with a less-than-perfect client for a whole year!

Gladys

Administrative Partners · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

Since I do alot of networking, I'm making the first connection face to face by default. I am really trying to finish decorating my office so that those clients who want that "face to face" feel can see me through webcam for meetings.

Leilani · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

I often wonder if I should meet a person face-to-face. I know that if you are wanting to find work locally where you live and decide to network within your community, you have to make yourself available and visible. Sometimes my imagination gets the best of me or one of those scary internet movies comes on TV and I think to myself "Oh boy, I don't know if I want to make myself so visible, I might come across one of those internet stalkers!" But on the serious side, you have to make sure that you are diligent and take safety precautions. I always investigate and network with my friends and family. We always know where each other are, what we're doing, who we're doing it with and always carry a cell phone. Basically never alone without having someone available in a moment's notice. Safety first!

Leilani

AwesomeAssistant · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2008

Since I work virtually, there are many clients I have not met face to face. I would do some research on the internet and talk by phone if possible. My contracts are all month-to-month so there's no long-term commitment.

JKVirtualOffice · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2008

I meet clients face to face and virtually over the phone. I met with a prospective client last week at his office and I'm meeting with one tomorrow. Although the one tomorrow is a referral along with an old college friend, so I'm sure that's safe.

I always planned to open to both face to face and virtually.

VBP · #7 (**permalink**) 10-23-2008

Originally Posted by tamikarjohnson

Since I do alot of networking, I'm making the first connection face to face by default. I am really trying to finish decorating my office so that those clients who want that "face to face" feel can see me through webcam for meetings.

Awesome idea Tamika!

I love the idea for web cam meetings! I don't have a webcam as part of my computer, but would love to get one. Can you or anyone recommend one?

latynes · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2008

Web cams! Great idea! Are you finding that clients generally have webcams?

Jessi27M · #9 (**permalink**) 11-11-2008

Since I do so much research, the first thing I did was research both of my clients. Both had websites, so they made that rather easy for me. I just met the one in person, and I made sure to meet in a public place. I would never have them to come to my house or go to their place. I would also pick a place that you know there will people watching at all times.

leedrozak · #10 (**permalink**) 11-11-2008

Most of my clients are out of my area to f2f is not an option. I like many others research from their website and always have one phone consult to get that gut feeling as well. Fortunately all of my long distance clients have pictures on their site to I can "see" them.

For my local clients, I have met them all through networking functions so I have met them in a public environment and got to know them from there.

If you do meet f2f I would make sure it is in a public place or large office environment.

mharris · #11 (**permalink**) 11-12-2008

Because of word of mouth referrals most of my clients I meet face to face for a consultation, I only have two that I have not met in person. Tamika, the webcam idea is something I need to put in place and perhaps suggest to clients that its a good business tool to invest in for the face to face meeting without leaving the comfort of their office. Thanks for the tip!