I received a newsletter during the week from a coach who was talking about the very topic of this blog post. It raised an important aspect and that is not all clients are a good fit for us as Virtual Assistants. I know if cash flow is slow, our businesses are new or going through a slump, that we want to say yes to every client that makes contact, but that’s not always a good thing to do. Particularly if the client has had a bad experience with a previous VA – they can often react to us in the same vein, painting us with the same brush.
If you sense that something is not right then it’s probably best to say out right that you don’t wish to work with them, or that you don’t really need to do this. If the client objects or suggests this is just a tactic on your behalf, be firm and say you don’t believe you’re a good fit but perhaps you could help them find the right VA. And make sure you do that. If you belong to one or more VA networks that shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do.
It’s important to maintain your dignity and self-worth and it’s powerfully re-affirming when you know you don’t have to accept every client that comes along. Picking the right type of client for your VA business is an important part of your business operation. It can actually increase your business and sales and eliminate the grief factor you could experience through dealing with clients that aren’t right for you.
Saying no to the wrong client will actually make room for the right client. After all you can’t work with everyone and if your capacity is full and some of those clients aren’t the ‘right clients’ then you won’t have capacity for those that are.
Gail Lockyer says
Good story Kathy. Also saying NO sometimes because the tasks required is not your core skill or your target market. Become the specialist in your area not the generalist. This is a hard view to take when first starting out but it will pay off. I sometimes get asked to do telemarketing (aaaah), however I will do small follow up calls after seminars or appointment setting for a handful of people but I do not wish to become a call centre. If it only entailed 2hrs of calls, then I’d consider it for my existing client. For a new client, they can find the specialist in that field. This is often a hard thing when you are first starting out because you need every client – or do you?
Julie says
Kathy,
I couldn’t agree more. In this industry it is always difficult to say no to a client, but we just have to remember the reason we went into business for ourselves in the the first place. Taking on a client that does not fit with your organization can become a nightmare for both the VA and the client. In the long run no one benefits. The VA becomes bitter, and the client unhappy.
Referring the client to another VA is always a good solution. It makes the client happy, and both the VA’s happy. We all have different personalities and business strategies. Just because a client is not a fit with your organization does not mean that they wouldn’t be a perfect for a different VA.
Julie Farmer says
It is also very empowering when you say no to a client. It is unfortunate when a client becomes difficult, but you do need to protect your own business and that of your next client – Julie