Hi all,
I just wanted to share a great experience I had over the weekend that has just now had results. As I work full-time in a business consulting company (accounts, taxes, business consultations, property conveyency etc) I initially didn't want to take on local clients or really promote myself too much in my area so as to avoid conflict at work. Even though my boss is aware I work as a virtual assistant I live on a small island and gossip and people meddling etc is rife so I was going for online clients only.
I was contacted directly by a client via Elance's website and it turns out he lives on the next island on from me and he has various projects that need doing and help in general in marketing his business. After requesting a sample article (that he paid for by the way) he seemed to be really impressed and offered me more work. After speaking on Skype I suggested catching the ferry to meet him and discuss how we can work together. Beforehand I prepared a folder for him that included my company profile, a draft copy of my collaboration contract, a draft copy of my data protection and confidentiality contract plus a proposal to include research I had done on his business and different ideas to try and boost it. We had a really good meeting and he said he was impressed with the presentation and we left things in a very positive way even though I hadn't managed to sign him there and then and he wanted to start off with a couple of projects to see how things went before signing on as a fixed client on retainer.
When I got home the following day I sent him a digital postcard (with my company branding of course!) just as a little thank you note for meeting with me etc. I also outlined the first few projects we'd discussed. The great news is he has just replied to say that he has been looking over the material I left and that he has changed his mind and would like to discuss signing the collaboration contract and working with me for a set amount of hours per month!!
The point to all this is that if you prepare well before meeting a potential client and take the time to prepare a personalized proposal where possible and include your own work policy, what they will see in the end is somebody who takes their work seriously and will do the same for them. It was my first time meeting a client in person representing my own company and so far it has paid off so it really is worth the extra effort because it leaves a good impression with the client
Great new client experience
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