I'm looking for some advice about being based outside your target country.

I'm originally from the UK and living in Egypt. I'm wondering how best to pitch myself to potential clients in the UK...ie. if they got a proposal from a VA company in the UK and another one from myself they'd probably choose the UK based one. How do you get round issues like that??

Also, most clients understandably want a contact address; whilst I'm happy to put my full details on my website, I do think it could possibly be off-putting for a client to realise that I'm not just up the road....but at the same time I don't want to omit my address altogether as that could give an even more negative impression!!

Do you think that, overall, your location has a positive or negative impact on your business?

Any advice or tips you have would be most gratefully appreciated!

Hi Morag,

I just completed some research for a lady in the UK and I live in Canada. I don't specifically advertise that I want UK clients but she found me anyway. I don't think borders matter. Look at all the outsourcing going to India from the US.

I don't put a contact address on my site because I don't want people showing up at my door. (especially when I'm in my pajamas!) I am thinking of getting a PO box but honestly, I don't know if it really matters. I've had clients contact me right off my site and no one has ever questioned my about why I don't have a street address listed.

I think your location should have no bearing on the success of your business. Don't worry about it.

Best wishes for a successful VA business

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

Hi Morag
I think you'll find that now that you're a virtual service provider you have a lot more flexibility in terms of who you work with - in other words, it doesn't matter...the entire four years I was abroad I was working with clients in the States and Canada and ALL of them *loved* the fact that I was literally working on their business growth while they were out at the movies, having dinner, or sleeping. Market yourself in such a way that your clients understand you literally extend the business day to 24 hours and you'll find clients in all geographic locations are very happy to work with you.

As to the physical address - I never provided one, even on my business site....it wasn't an issue. All of my clients have always known where we are (we keep them posted on our travels and numerous moves) and really do enjoy the 'story' of our travels not to mention the unique relationship with a truly global service provider.

Your location is part of your advantage - use it as such and you'll do just fine!

On a side note, now that we're in the States I find the responsiblity of managing my time in an equally beneficial manner (to my clients) falls solely on me. They're used to getting things 'tomorrow morning' but have all been great - they know where we are now and make their requests and note deadlines accordingly. When you're working in an opposite time zone you get really good at helping clients understand how much time is needed to get something done - you'll get used to it!

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My personal opinion is that being in a different location, different state, different country, etc. can work out extremely well as long as the client is comfortable and truly grasps the overall concept of virtual assistance.

As a virtual assistant you have the opportunity to work virtually, without geographic boundaries. For example I work with clients in other countries. The client in Switzerland thinks that it's fabulous that she has someone in states who handles her business...she says it makes her feel truly "global".

If you want to target potential clients in the UK, I say go for it. You know the area, you know the people, you know the personalities...what's the worst that could happen?

-B