I have found a few posts on VAF that speak to providing references to potential clients when they are requested.

1) How do you go about asking your current clients about providing a reference?

2) How much information do you provide to your current client as to why you are asking for a reference?

3) How do you respond when you reach out to thank your client for the reference and they ask if you signed on the potential client?

Thank you.

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Anita Virtual Assistant Services

IMO the short answer is: you don't.

You're a business owner, not an employee. You're a professional with services to offer.
It's the same reason you wouldn't provide a resume to a PC.

You might wish to gather testimonials from existing clients to include in your marketing materials and on your website, but a client who expects you to provide references is carrying around an 'employer' mentality.

I'd recommend explaining to your PC that you don't provide references - there are some great previous conversations on this where VAs spelled out just how they communicate this in a professional way. I'd delve deeper into those threads you found on this topic to see if you can find wording that will resonate with your own communication style.

I know it can feel like you have to do this in order to get the client but it's important to realize that IF they really do carry the employer mentality they may not be an ideal client for you to begin with. Consider educating your PC a little and they just may turn out to be a great client after all. Either way, I don't recommend providing references.

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I agree with Tess.

Although I am in the very early stages of my business I have no intention whatsoever of providing references to anybody. I feel that if I start out on that track then I will never be taken seriously as a business.

After all, the way I look at is that if I need a plumber or some other assistance, I will check out a website or ring them and if I think they can do the job I ask them to come round... I don't start asking for references, so why should I, as a business, have to provide references to anyone else?

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Tracy
Eternal VA

I don´t agree with Tess and Tracy (sorry ladies). I have been asked to provide references and I understand completely why. The work I do (PA/EA) is very personal and the client had had a very bad experience with a previous VA. I was happy to provide references, as my work cannot be seen on a webpage, nor can I provide examples without breaching the other client´s trust. I did not regard it as an insult nor as an employer mentality.

And the argument about plumber or central heating engineer, doesn´t really work for me either. I do ask for references, although I go about the other way around. i ask my friends or neighbors if they know a good plumber or painter and go on their references.

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Hilde
www.vbbassociates.com

Personally I've never been asked for a reference other than when I've applied to freelance for transcription companies. I do, however, display testimonials on my website which are I guess a form of testimonial, and they contain links to the client's website or LinkedIn profile (if they have these) so that potential clients can see they are from real people.

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Bridie's Typing Services - specialising in transcription services
The professional's choice

Anita,

At one time I did not provide references with the mindset that I am not an employee but a service provider. However as I have grown and the business is expanding I am getting this request from more and more business owners.

I have a capabilities statements that includes general company information, a short bio on myself including experience, education and such. On this I also include information on 3 clients that I am working with. I chose one from a non-profit that I do work for so they were more than happy to help, the other two are clients that I are from specific service industries so that they understand why a client would want to reach out to them.

I also include a testimonies section with recommendations from those 3 clients so that the PC can see that they endorse my services. Sometimes this is all that they need. I do not provide telephone numbers but emails and let those asking know that they are more than welcome to shoot them a quick email. Sometimes this information is just enough peace of mind that they need.

Since these 3 are clients I talk to all the time I will mention that they may get an inquiry and if they do I send them a note of thanks and give them a small referral bonus if the PC signs.

As for asking the client, just ask. Explain to them that you are putting together this information and ask if they would mind being included. When I discussed this with the 3 I also let them know that any PC who contacted them and signed would be considered a referral and they would get my referral bonus for their response.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I don't think that asking for referrals is necessarily an employer mindset. Lots of businesses in service industries will provide you with referrals if you ask. Plumbers, realtors, lawyers, etc. I don't think I would hire anyone that I didn't know based on their well laid out self-promotion of how great they are.

Trust has to be earned, and I don't expect someone that I just started working with to trust me unconditionally. However, after they have worked with me for several months, I would hope that I don't have to continue proving myself indefinitely.

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Jennifer Simons - Girl Monday
www.girlmondaysf.com

Interesting responses! I sincerely expected to see 'no' replies across the board. I look forward to seeing more VAs chime in on this.

I guess in the end, like anything, you have to do what works for you and what you feel most comfortable doing.

I had it drilled into my head fairly early on in my business that any activity that even alluded to an employer/employee relationship would doom the entire thing from the start and it generally proves to be true, although as I mentioned I do think some clients respond well to being educated a bit about what a VA does and how it's done, etc.

While it's not a situation I've encountered often, I did relax those rules the one time I was asked for references and it didn't feel 'right' to me in the long run. The client did carry the dreaded mindset and eventually I cut loose the ties.

Anyway, very interesting conversation! Looking forward to seeing what others have to say too and what you ultimately decide to do.

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Anita, I haven't been asked for references in terms of a PC asking to speak with or email one of my clients.

However, I have seen quite a few RFPs asking for references. I include testimonials in my proposals and on my website and acquired these by sending a brief survey to my clients asking for feedback and a written testimonial that I could include in my marketing materials. I avoid using the word references as it sounds too much like a standard employer to employee request.

If a PC asked to contact one of my clients I would probably say that my goal is to save time for my clients which is why I obtained the written testimonials so they wouldn't be inundated with inquiries. If they insisted, I think I might pass although I do like Lee's idea of offering a referral bonus if my client was willing to take their time to speak to a PC. Something to consider if the situation ever comes up.

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Linda
Clockwise Virtual Assistance

Ladies, this is all great feedback and very informative!

It is interesting to read the differing opinions. I, too, am on the fence as to whether providing references lends to an employer/employee mindset. Having provided references to my current client during the inquiry phase, I do feel that it was a positive step in me signing them on. Also, I do understand the importance of having testimonials to offer up as an alternative to references.

Lee, I do like what you do, providing company information and bio along with testimonials, great idea.

Tess, you hit the nail on the head, I think it is a matter of what each person feels comfortable with and depends on the situation.

A big thanks to all of you for your insights.

If your current clients provide a reference and then ask if you did sign on a new client, how would you all respond?

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Anita Virtual Assistant Services