When a new client doesn’t respond
Recently one of my VAs asked me what to do when she’d responded to a job request and hadn’t heard back from the client. This is something I get asked periodically. They don’t want to make a nuisance of themselves but don’t want to lose a potential client either.
I was asked if that is a normal occurrence and I had to answer yes, unfortunately for two reasons:
- Sometimes the client is so overwhelmed with stuff to do that they lose sight of where they’re up to next - which is why they need you.
- Sometimes it’s lack of manners.
- Actually, there is a third - they often scribble your details down on a piece of paper or print off the email and then promptly lose it!
I would definitely encourage VAs to follow up again - I’d say leave it for 2 days after original contact, then make contact again. Sometimes email goes astray (don’t forget my previous post about that) so a phone call is a good thing to do - or perhaps both.
Then again a few days later. I’d try about 4 or 5 times spaced over 2 weeks and then if no response, give it up as a lost cause. Often clients will let me know when a role has been fulfilled, or even the VA who has received it, and then I let my team know, but that isn’t always the case.
client response, job lead, job request, new client, virtual assistant
Written by Kathie Thomas - Visit Website
Filed under: Client Ed & Case Studies, VA Education
