I have a client, actually he is my first and so far only client, who is great and hasn't tried to negotiate my hrly pay and retainer I have requested. The problem is he is wanting me to go with him all over the Seattle area to meet and greet "his clients". I am "his" VA and he is paying the bill for me to do his admin work. I really don't mind getting out of my office once in a while but when it becomes a half day with no productivity it drives me crazy. He is paying me hourly to go and do these "meet and greets" but I feel they are a total waste of time and have tried to get him to provide me with the work and shared that I understand exactly what he is needing done. I guess I wouldn't mind if it was once a week but it seems like it is every other day.

Second, I never want or have had clients come to my house and/or home office even though I have a beautiful designated office. This same client always is trying to come and pick me up at "my house/home office". Again, I have shared with him that I would just meet him at his clients or at a Starbucks. Just wondering if anyone has had to deal with this????

Sorry for the venting. I am very grateful for this client but financially need to bring on a couple more and with traveling around the Seattle area with this client I am not able to do any marketing.

LoriLee

Hi LoriLee,
Do you think you can also market to his clients? That would be an idea I mean you're already there. And he's already marketing you by wanting everyone to meet his great VA.

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Janice Correa-Elite Business Services
"My Business is Your Business!"
www.elitebusinessonline.com

I would be careful. Please don't invite this person to your home. Is there a possibility that his clients will become your clients too. Do you see any value in meeting his clients? For instance, will it allow you to support him better?

If he's paying for your time, I wouldn't say its unproductive -- only if he's taking away from you servicing other clients which isn't the case right now.

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Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

I would be sure and charge him time AND mileage (.585/mile is the current fed gov't rate) and DO take advantage of meeting these folks as a way to promote your own business.

I would also let him know that since you are trying to build your business that from now on you will only be available 1x weekly to do these 'meet and greets.'

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

What is his reasoning for you to meet his clients?

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Sarah
Accurate Office Help

This is why it is so important to set those boundaries. Do you have anything in writing LoriLee and did you provide them to him? If you are billing for all of this time then I wouldn't consider it as non-productive per say. I do think it is a bit odd for him having you to go and meet with all of his clients. Could you possibly get some new business from any of them?

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

Without knowing the reason why he is taking you to meet his clients (and I am not defending is actions) but some people who have an assistant want to build up the relationships with all the office individuals. I don't know if you answer telephones or contact his clients directly, but this could be why.
I would not allow him to pick you up at your home, but continue to join him at a convenient meeting place. Also, if you can start networking through his clients this would only be a benefit to you. I would also agree that you should be charging Km's (sorry - Canadian mileage lol). Find out his reasoning and then set some limits that would accommodate both of you.

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Internet Marketing Specialist
Back Pocket Business Solutions

You need to be careful. You also need to set your boundaries.

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Carlana Charles - Ciboney Virtual Solutions
Web: http://ciboneyvirtual.com Blog:http://ciboneyvirtual.com/blog

As others have stated already, you need to set boundaries and be safe. If he has never worked with a VA before he may not understand how it works. So you may need to educate/explain to him how you work with your clients.

Make sure he understand what VA is. Also, if you can gain some additional business from meeting his clients I would take advantage of it but like Office Goddess said I would set a limit on what you can attend.

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Monique Terrell, CEO
Sparkle Professional Office Services, LLC
www.sparkleofficeservices.com

Thank you so much for all of your great input. I agree it is a bit strange him wanting me to meet his clients. I wish I could get business from them but I have a NDA as well and a clause that I wouldn't contact his clients for additional work or for my gain. He was worried about that so we agreed if any of them wanted me to be a VA that would be ok but I would not market to them...at least not at this point. Don't get me wrong he is not a bad, hard nose guy and no he has never had a VA himself either so I am having to guide him.

As far as him coming to my home that is totally "never" going to happen. I am extremely private and don't even use my address on my biz cards, etc. I have a virtual office set up so all mail goes there, if I get any packages they sign for them, etc. I like what was said about charging for mileage. I actually had thought about that yesterday too and will in fact be putting that on his invoice. I'm sure he will be ok with that. I do think that from this point out I will make sure our boundaries are more set and that he understands it is not really productive for me to go on "meet and greets".

Thanks again

LoriLee