In reading the post about what's in your office and the other great questions there was one question about "do you meet with clients"? Everyone who answered said no. My question is how do you obtain the work from clients that they need you to do?? Sorry I have one client but I have met with him to obtain work but with future clients I would rather not work that way. I would love to hear how others operate this part of their business?

Thanks

LoriLee

Hi Lorilee,

All of the work I need to do for clients is sent to me via email, fax and through a team collaboration program (like Basecamp or Central Desktop). I actually have a client that is local (20 minutes away). We have never met in person and all the work is given to me as explained above.

I actually have been lucky enough to work with people who are already internet minded(ecommerce businesses), so perhaps sending work via email, fax and so on, was just a natural extension. In your case, perhaps take a look at the things you are currently doing for your client and come up with ways in which they can send you directions/content electronically. You will figure out a way that works best for everyone involved..I know it!

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Darlene,
Thanks for the input. I'm going to check out Basecamp and Central Desktop. I am very computer savvy but am trying to figure out the best, easiest, and cheapest way to obtain work from clients.

Just curious what services do you offer?

Thanks.
LoriLee

I have two clients and I met both. One company hires me to do work on-site, when their secretary is on holidays or they have some extra work.

For the other client I am sort of 'office manager' - mainly working virtually from home on my comp. but also picking up post from the official address, meeting the empoyees, shopping, delivering documentation to the accountant, having meetings with their customers.... Mostly I have to know what do to without instructions, any other additonal tasks they want me to do are sent by email or we discuss them via Skype.

I can not image how some of you do only virtual work. I am hoping to get some international clients in due time - who maybe want some english/slovene translations, setting up company in Slovenia, looking for contacts, setting up meetings here, info... I guess this would be just virtual assistance.

I have one local client who is a mile away, so I do stop by and pick items up. All my other clients are long distance and they send their stuff via mail, email or fax. I have one that I access via remote desktop and he usually uploads any files I need to a folder on his desktop. I have only had one instance where his computer turned off during a storm and I had to wait for him to get back into the office to re-set it for me so I could gain access.

I do bookkeeping so in most cases, if the client is comfortable with it, they give me their online banking passwords so I can log-in and download the information I need.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Hi,
All of my work is sent via email, or accessed remotely such as with Logmein.com or Foldershare. I never met my clients since they are out of state.
Eva

Quote:

Re: How Do You Get Work From Clients??? I can not image how some of you do only virtual work. I am hoping to get some international clients in due time - who maybe want some english/slovene translations, setting up company in Slovenia, looking for contacts, setting up meetings here, info... I guess this would be just virtual assistance.

I am totally opposite. I cant image "NOT" doing only virtual work -lol . I live in MO and all of my clients are in CA except one and she is in TX. I have only spoke with them via email or phone. And that is how most of my projects/assignments are received, along with the occasional fax, U.S. Mail & Fed EX. I am spoiled to the ways of the "virtual working world".

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Kena~
Everyone smiles in the same language

Hi Lorilee,

This is a great question and I find alot of the responses very interesting. Anyway, I recieve all my work via email, ClientSpot (PM program) and Box.net an online file respository for large files like graphics and video files.

Box.net also allows my clients to upload an entire folder structure at one time versus one at a time.

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

I guess I am spoiled. While I am somewhat new to the "virtual world" I have the best of both worlds. I work for a client that is local (10 miles away) and others that I strictly provide work for electronically. I personally like going into an office at my convenience. (especially on snowy commutes!)

I'm just starting out and this has definitely crossed my mind. I was thinking about reaching out to local businesses besides online, but this has definitely pointed out the potential of online over local.