Want to send clients running? I didn’t think so. But many of us are doing just that by the use of sucky slogans on our websites and in our marketing. It’s time for all of us to ‘tweak the speak’ (update the wording!) on our websites and turn things around for the entire VA industry. If you want to attract the high-paying, high-quality clients who understand the value of an expert assistant you need to remove certain phrases from your lingo. Want to know what they are? I’m going to share my top 3 worst offenders and also tell you why the best clients get ‘scared’ when they see them. Ready?...Click here to read the rest of this post at The Brainy Gal Blog.

The Redhead VA's Biz Bits Blog is authored by VAF member Lisa of Brainy Gal - Virtual Assistant.

(Would you like to see YOUR blog posts on Virtual Assistant Forums? Click here to submit your RSS feed now.)

I am an offender and will be updating my marketing materials and website ASAP. Excellent Article!! Thnx

Thanks so much...glad if I can help

__________________
www.thebrainygal.com

And we see those three phrases all the time and use them even more! Thank you for "translating" them:-)

__________________
Sara
Your Reliable Help Just a Click Away

We do see them all the time! It's kind of funny, yesterday Danielle Keister made a point: We never hear a doctor or a lawyer say things like "You don't have to pay me for my vacation or my equipment, or my sick days, you Only pay me for the time I work" Yet VA's say that ALL THE TIME. It's really kind of silly...we are professionals and we have to learn to act like it!

__________________
www.thebrainygal.com

Lisa, you are right, no one ever questions doctor's or lawyer's billing process. But in a case of a VA, I believe that in many cases we are still educating people about who we are and how we work, trying to "illustrate" the difference between us and an employee - in my area, for example, I am the only VA and people don't have a clue what a VA is much less how he/she works, and I am sure this still happens a lot...

__________________
Sara
Your Reliable Help Just a Click Away

I agree Sara...that's why it scares me when so many VA's are using the same lines. As we educate the public it is SO important for the future of our industry that we paint ourselves as a group of highly skilled business professionals. Not as dirt cheap, dime-a-dozen laborers.

__________________
www.thebrainygal.com

I absolutely agree with your statement. Thank you for sharing.

__________________
Yesenia Urbina
Virtual AdminOvation

I absolutely agree with your statement. I have been an Administrative Assistant for 15 years in the corporate world. I understand the importance of professionalism. It gives people a good impression when you are professional. When you are unprofessional, it makes people question your integrity and quality of work. It bothers me when I am unprofessional so I try my best to maintain professional even with clients that have become friends.

__________________
Yesenia Urbina
Virtual AdminOvation

I've worked in both the medical and legal field. When it comes to billing, doctors and lawyers do lay it out there first. It's in the form of an estimate or invoice.

Before you accept work from a lawyer there is a detailed meeting of what exactly the services will be and how much it will cost, plus an estimate of unforseen work that may be needed. A client accepts and signs on the dotted line, then work commences. With doctors too you usually know (at least through your insurance company) what the charges will be before you receive medical care.

These professionals will not work without money up front, so they have to educate and inform their clients of the price before they start.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a VA doing the same thing on her site. It should be worded professionally, I agree. But clients who are new to the idea of working with a virtual assistant need to be educated and informed of what to expect. Comparing a VA to a traditional employee is crucial to their understanding. Again, as you stated, it needs to be professionally done though.

__________________
Maryann Matas, Seashore Transcription & Typing Services
Virtually Partnering in Business for Your Success