Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2012

Good Afternoon VAs! I just wanted to give you a heads up and also tell you about a practice that saved me a lot of trouble today.

This morning I received an email off my website. It was a company requesting information about my services as a VA. Thankfully, I have a policy about researching any potential new client before I call them back. I usually do this so I can understand what they do before I speak with them. Today's potential client was a real estate company in MA. When I googled the company name, the first full page of results was scam reports and consumer complaints about not getting paid.

I emailed the client back and told her I was not taking new clients. Had I not researched, I may have ended up on that list of angry consumers. Please, research your potential clients before you speak with them. It could save you a lot of trouble.

#2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2012

Great advice Jenifer! This is something I always do as well, it always pays off one way or another. Either you end up uncovering the bad things like you have or you impress the potential client by knowing a bit about their business.

#3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2012

This is a FANTASTIC reminder. I do the exact same thing, we need to remember we are interviewing them as a much as they are interviewing us. It's a partnership - you want to be comfortable with who you're partnering with.

#4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2012

Great reminder, Jennifer!

I don't speak to a client from an email. In fact If they email me, I email them in return and get the information ahead of time what it is that they are all about. I research their company and then I send them my New Client Welcome Packet, which includes my rates. From there, I'll answer any more email questions and then set up a consultation if we are still interested in working together.

Only after the preliminaries are taken care of, I will speak with them on the phone. This process has saved so much time and has removed most of the 'tire kickers' who email me for services. (That happened 3 times last week and 2 turned out to be duds.)

Janine

#5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2012

I think I had this same individual contact me a month or so ago. I also turned him down.

Julie

#6 (**permalink**) 09-06-2012

Great advice everyone. Janine, I have a consultation tomorrow and I have only spoken to this physician via email. I did research the company and reviewed their entire website. But your post has me a little scared to attend the consultation. Any advice?

#7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2012

Stacey,

Not sure what is causing the fear...if you have given the PC all of your rates and business policy information ahead of time and your research shows this company is legit and, you know what services he may be interested in, you should be in good shape to give the PC advice on what solutions you will provide.

Good luck!

Janine

#8 (**permalink**) 09-07-2012

Quote:

In fact If they email me, I email them in return and get the information ahead of time what it is that they are all about. I research their company and then I send them my New Client Welcome Packet, which includes my rates.

@Janine, When you receive an email from PC, do you reply them asking what's their exact requirements first? And once they reply you, do you conduct a company research? I'm curios to know. Last week, I had a client who wanted me to check his website and prepare a proposal for Social Media Project. His client were from different industries and he didn't know his requirements well. So, I wanted to know is it okay to ask them their requirements or do a research first.

Thank you!
Jessie

#9 (**permalink**) 09-07-2012

Jessie,

If I receive an email like this, "I would like to speak to you about your services and your rates." I will send them an email asking them to send a brief list of the services they need. I tell them that this helps me to come up with a plan that is tailored to their needs. If they have not provided their email, web address and social media URLs, I ask for that too.

Once I receive the list and the site information, I will do a preliminary search of the company and their sites. At that point, if I am satisfied this is not going to waste my time, I send my New Client Welcome Packet which includes my rates and my business policies. I explain in the email that the services they are requested are what I can provide and ask them to review the packet. I also provide 3 times in which I am available to speak. I ask them to reply back after they have all the basic information needed to work with me with the best time to set up a consultation.

If I don't hear back, I will follow up just once. After that, if they don't follow through, I know they were a 'tire kicker'.

If they do follow-through and we have a set time for a consultation call, I then dive into the research and familiarize myself with the company information to prepare for the call.

I never book a call with someone unless I know beforehand what it is they need AND that they have a thorough understanding of my rates and business policies.

Janine

#10 (**permalink**) 09-07-2012

I received an email from someone in real estate stating they received my email and would like to if I would be a VA for their Nevada office. I did not send this person an email and when I Googled the company name (this was listed as part of his email address) I couldn't find anything.

Even though we all like having clients tt certainly pays to do your research.