I met with a client a few weeks ago and I have followed up with emails etc. I saw him at a meeting recently but he did not mention anything about our meeting or my emails. What does that mean? During our meeting, he said that he had a lot of work etc. I feel like he was leading me on when he neverintended on using my services.

Linda,

First, I want to say that if you are thinking you did something wrong...you did not! So please don't blame yourself for this PC's lack of communication.

Second, I feel that this PC is definitely avoiding communicating with you for a few reasons, which are not related to anything you may have said. He may not be able to afford a VA (or at least thinks that he cannot) or he may be afraid of losing control of his business (or at least he feels that will be the case). Or he may think he won't have enough work for you. Or he may feel overwhelmed that his business could take off and he will lose control. It could be any number of things.

I would suggest that you try to resolve this in one of two ways:

1) Understand that he is not an ideal client for you (or any other VA for that matter). Anyone who ignores another individual after a meeting is unprofessional and is one of those red flags I am always mentioning here on VAF with the outcome being more of a headache than it is worth.

2) You didn't provide any information about the actual meeting in your post but if you felt he was worth salvaging, you may just want to call him directly. At some point if the emails don't work, pick up the phone.

If you do call him, I would explain that you are following up with the meeting and wanted to know if he had any questions. Ask him if he has any reservations about working with a virtual assistant and then answer those questions as solutions to the problem.

If he doesn't return your call, then move on. It is not worth the trouble. Some PCs are like that. But the good thing is that you can find out now, before he signs the contract that he may be a deadbeat.

Janine

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Write that Winning RFP The Job of Ur VA Dreams http://bit.ly/ZJfatV

Communication is a huge factor in a VA-Client relationship and if this PC is not bothering to respond to your emails or acknowledge you appropriately after your recent meeting, I would agree with Janine, and say that he is probably not an ideal client.

At the very least he should respect your time and politely say that he didn't feel it was a good fit, if that is the case. Personally, I don't pursue potential clients past a few follow-ups. If I have to pull teeth to get them to become a client, I dread to think what they will be like on an ongoing basis. Just my take on it.

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Linda
Clockwise Virtual Assistance

I'll share an experience I had with a client last year. Everything started out great, their was good communication and we knew what the other was doing. Suddenly, he became increasingly difficult to locate, he wouldn't respond to emails or messages I left with his PA. After a month and a half of erratic behaviour, he eventually called me (after receiving my bill) to say and by that I mean scream, that he didn't want to continue and that he wasn't going to pay me either. In my situation, I didn't have any warning as things were fine at the start but after two weeks of being unable to reach him as before I kind of knew where we were headed.

In your case you have already had a taste of what working with this person could be like but only you can decide whether it is worth a gamble as we weren't present at your initial meeting but if he's already avoiding you then he may not be the type of client you want.

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Sabrina L. Williams
Your Property and Admin Needs Made Simple

Linda your PC may have met with a number of VAs and chosen someone else he thought was a better fit for the work he had in mind, maybe someone offered him a lower rate or maybe he was just a deadbeat kicking the tires. You'll never know.

Best to meet, follow up and move on. IMHO here's no point in wasting your time chasing him when it will likely come to nothing. Note his name, company, type of business, contact info and a synopsis of the meeting so you are prepared if he contacts you again.

I'd stay clear of him in any event. There are too many red flags already.

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Originally Posted by linda1988

I met with a client a few weeks ago and I have followed up with emails etc. I saw him at a meeting recently but he did not mention anything about our meeting or my emails. What does that mean? During our meeting, he said that he had a lot of work etc. I feel like he was leading me on when he neverintended on using my services.

Linda,

Everyone is right you did nothing wrong. You followed through and like all of us we have been there done that.

I have two clients I made that mistake with - I followed up and followed up emails, calls, etc. and no matter what I say or do they will not complete things on their end. They even have contracts in their hands.

I finally had to say that I am worth more than that and if they want someone else then go! - that person will end up chasing down money and wasting time --- lessoned learned -- sometimes the hard way...

We are here for you!

Patricia

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Patricia Loehn : Owner / VA
American Virtual Associates