How good are your references? Do you know what they are saying? How current are they? Are they related to you? Do the references pertain to the particular task you are seeking?

I just finished a project for a client where they are adding VAs to their business. I went through the responses received to narrow the list down if they addressed the issues in the RFP and if their references checked out. Out of 86 VAs that responded, only 4 made the first cut.

First eliminated (about 47%) were those who did not answer the questions in the RFP, did not format their responses as directed in the RFP, and spelling/grammar errors.

Second, eliminated those where their references did not check out.

• References from relatives, roommates, or prospective spouses is automatically considered biased and would not reflect accurate information.
  
• References that are not current, do not have accurate contact information or are older than two years from when you worked with them are not accurate of your current work situation.
  
• References that do not pertain to the type of work you are seeking does not help to figure out you can do the job.
  
• References that state you are not a team player is an automatic toss.
  
• References state you talk too much on the phone and waste their time is not a good comment to hear.
  
• References stating they would not work with you again is definitely not good.
  
• References that have never heard of you is not a good thing.

There are more examples, but one might get the idea to double check what is being said.

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Mary Hettwer
Hettwer Virtual Office

Thank you for posting this! This is more than just a reminder to keep your references and testimonials up to date but a lesson in HOW to respond to an RFP.

If you ignore the specifics asked for in an RFP it shows that you can not follow directions which does not equate to an ideal partner for a virtual working relationship.

Great post!

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Great info - reminders in these areas are always helpful.
Thanks!
(ps - I love how you break it all down... ROTFL.)

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shana
www.shanafore.com

Wow...you raise some good points. I've got to bookmark all this, too. Thanks Tess!

I usually check with all my references prior to giving them out to prospectives...just so that they have a heads up about it and to make sure they are still comfortable being a reference for me.

This is a great heads up though. I think it's rather alarming that so many VAs simply did not make the cut for either not responding to the RFP as they should or because they had less than stellar references.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

4 out of 86 responses - doesn't sound like good odds for spending the time responding to RFPs.

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Julia

Mary,

Thank you for such useful information. I appreciate it. This is fantastic for those of us who are starting out.

If those who responded to that RFP you were working on only had your tips, there may have been a better outcome

Regards,
Dana

Great reminder. I typically give my references the heads up when I send out my list to someone.

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

This is a great post, some points I already knew but others I never even though about!

I haven't ever responded to an RFP. How exactly does it work - does this mean RFP's that you see on job boards - or does it mean when a client contacts you for work?

Thanks,
Brandy

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Brandy Ellen's Business Solutions

Originally Posted by Prime Admin Solutions

4 out of 86 responses - doesn't sound like good odds for spending the time responding to RFPs.

Julia, I think the point is that had even one of the other 82 VAs responded in the format required by the hiring client and with viable references they may have been in the running.

If anything, I'd say these results prove that responding to RFPs can be a great way to land new clients - knowing that 95% of those who are responding along with you aren't doing so in a way that shows professionalism or the ability to follow simple directions means those who do have an even better chance of impressing and ultimately contracting the client.

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