Networking [Offline] Discuss the benefits and challenges of small business networking in-person.
Forum Sponsor (Advertise with us)
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
    #1 (permalink)  
Old 11-16-2009
Balancing Act's Avatar
Junior Member
Company name: Virtual Assistant Chick
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 327
Send a message via Yahoo to Balancing Act Send a message via Skype™ to Balancing Act
Default Meeting Clients Face to Face
It's always been super easy for me to hide behind my computer and the title of "Virtual" Assistant, but this weekend I acquired a really great reason to get out and meet people!

The National Association of Realtors had a HUGE meeting down in San Diego this weekend, which is about 2 hours from me. When I found out that my client, a Realtor in Virginia was going to be there, I jumped at the opportunity to meet with him in person.

Jim had not been giving me work lately, and the last two emails I sent were not responded to, but he did agree to meet with me for coffee, and guess what - it went GREAT. We sat at Starbucks and made plans for his business for the next 6 months, and it completely solidified our partnership, and my confidence has sky-rocketed (so much so that I think that's why I signed a new client today).

If you ever have the opportunity to meet with a client like this, even if you have to drive 2 hours to do it, do it because it can be so worth it. Now I need to set up a meeting with my client that is only 3 miles away that I've never met!
__________________
April Sullivan
The REVA Academy
Reply With Quote
    #2 (permalink)  
Old 11-16-2009
RebeccaT's Avatar
Active Member
Company name: CLR Virtual Connection
My latest Twitter: Happy Groundhog Day!!
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 565
Send a message via Yahoo to RebeccaT Send a message via Skype™ to RebeccaT
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
I actually do meet with one of my clients every week. He is NOT computer savvy or even literate. He knows how to add projects via basecamp and knows how to pay and email but other then that...he likes to meet face to face so we do it on Fridays to go over the week and see what is going on for the next week. He really appreciates that I can do so much via computer and does not hesitate to tell others about HIS find. He is awesome!! So, yes, if you get the opportunity, I would encourage it.
__________________
Rebecca Thompson
CLR Virtual Connection * fanTABulous fan pages
Reply With Quote
    #3 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
JKVirtualOffice's Avatar
Resident Member
Company name: JK Virtual Office Resources
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,313
Blog Entries: 5
Send a message via Yahoo to JKVirtualOffice
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
I have one local client and she likes to schedule some of her retainer time as two hour meetings every once in awhile to go over things. I've also met with other potential local clients face to face. There is indeed great value in meeting face to face with clients. I also had one client who wanted me to fly to Vegas for one of the events he was showing at so I could get a better idea about his target market. Alas, he did not offer to pay for the flight so I couldn't see fitting it in as a business expense at that time. I imagine though that if I do make it to Vegas on my own in the near future that I will set up a time to meet with him to check out his store located in one of the major hotel/casinos there.
__________________
Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!
Reply With Quote
    #4 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
leedrozak's Avatar
Resident Member
Company name: My Office Assistant
Small Business Practical Times: Round-up Friday: Communication Do?s and Dont?s
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,068
Blog Entries: 13
Send a message via Yahoo to leedrozak Send a message via Skype™ to leedrozak
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
I have one local client and did meet them before I started with them. If the chance ever arises to meet the others I surely will since I am all about F2F meetings. One client of mine in NJ is often in different parts of PA so when she makes her rounds again I will be sure to set up some time to see her and attend on of her events as well.

If I am ever in the locations of my clients I will be sure to set up a meet with them since I think it just adds another layer to the client relationship.
__________________
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant
Reply With Quote
    #5 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
mrsgofficetogo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Mrs. G's Office-To-Go
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Edwardsville, Illinois
Posts: 53
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
This is a good idea to meet the client F2F. I like to put a face to the name. It gives me a better feel for the person.
__________________
Regeana Canada
Mrs. G's Office-To-Go
Reply With Quote
    #6 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
Lia-VSS's Avatar
Active Member
Company name: Julia Neal
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dublin [IE] [Former UK]
Posts: 671
Send a message via Skype™ to Lia-VSS
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
If i do find a client where I currently live before relocating, I plan to take a day out of a schedule (probably a friday) where I fly over (the night before & spend the weekend with my parents) and set up a meeting with the client in our nearest largest town.
I keep it's very important to maintain F2F client relations, and I plan to do it evey 10-12 weeks....

HTH.
__________________
Julia Neal ...because we ♥ admin!
http://julianeal.wordpress.com
Reply With Quote
    #7 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
Wordpro Wizard's Avatar
Active Member
Company name: The Wordpro Wizard
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 564
Send a message via Skype™ to Wordpro Wizard
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
I think F2F, if you can swing it, is essential for building relationships, obtaining referrals and growing your business. Some clients have expressed the feeling that they wouldn't be comfortable working with someone they'd never met, never had a chance to see if they "clicked" and could trust that person with their business affairs.

Lynne
__________________
The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com
Reply With Quote
    #8 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
The Invisible Assistant's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Invisible Business Solutions
My latest Twitter: http://t.co/fubgNZlx
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 103
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
Meeting face to face with clients is great advice. Lynne, you make a good point about seeing if they "clicked" with clients. That can have a big affect on what your working relationship grows (or doesn't) grow into. And, trust on the part of your clients is essential.
__________________
Gina Cozza
Invisible Business Solutions
Reply With Quote
    #9 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
New Member
Company name: Professional VA By Design
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: California
Posts: 25
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
I wonder if we can have the best of both worlds? For some clients it's just not realistic to meet F2F but a Skype video call might be helpful.

~Sandra
__________________
Professional VA By Design
Your Work, Your Business, Your Life
Reply With Quote
    #10 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
McCaul Assistance's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: McCaul Assistance Direct
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvani
Posts: 237
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
I love to meet my clients face to face. I currently have 3 clients and one of them I meet with and work on site every Monday and the other two I meet with at least once a month. I am one of those people who likes to meet face to face and I am so much better at "selling my services" and "showing my personality" in person rather than on paper. I actually prefer local clients. There is another client I've met with twice; she wanted a personal assistant who could be available to her 24/7 and that is not me but we had such a great f2f meeting and clicked so well that she is trying to find a place for me within her business. Hopefully, she will be my number 4 client!

Any time you can arrange to meet f2f, I say make a point to do so! I think it is a good thing!
__________________
Lori
Reply With Quote
    #11 (permalink)  
Old 11-17-2009
McCaul Assistance's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: McCaul Assistance Direct
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvani
Posts: 237
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
P.S. As Sandra said, a Skype videoconference would be beneficial as well!
__________________
Lori
Reply With Quote
    #12 (permalink)  
Old 11-18-2009
New Member
Company name: Geeks On Tap
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Metro Atlanta area
Posts: 27
Default Re: Meeting Clients Face to Face
Hello,

I have had clients who were unresponsive by phone and email but who really came alive and became interested in my services when we met face to face. Maybe it's because my enthusiasm showed through or that the conversation was very focused when we could filter out other distractions. Many of my clients are very verbal people who think by "talking it out" and are great at brainstorming over the phone and in person, but not so great at communicating by email or online, which is my specialty.
__________________
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Face to face marketing really works leedrozak Networking [Offline] 2 01-09-2009 10:47 PM
meeting face to face sarahjane General Client Relations 10 11-12-2008 09:29 PM
Virtual Co-Authors To Finally Meet Face to Face SallyK Press Releases 7 02-29-2008 11:10 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:19 PM.

International Virtual Assistants Association
Project Management for Virtual Assistants
Virtual Assistant Forums Advertising
Virtual Assistant Directory
Create a Professional New Client Welcome Packet
Virtual Assistant Forums Advertising
Virtual Assistant Contracts
Virtual Assistant Services
Affordable Website Hosting
Work from Home | Become A Virtual Assistant
Affordable Logo Design
Virtual Assistant Forums Advertising
Small Business Resources

© Virtual Assistant Forums 2012
All content and images are protected under copyright law and may not be reproduced in any way without express written consent.