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Ask the Master Newsletter Archives
Welcome to the previous editions of the Ask the Master newsletter.
On your left you will find links to tips and the how to’s of
running a Virtual Assistant practice. We hope you enjoy your stay
and if you have a question you’d like answered send it to submission@vatp.ca.
Ask
The Master
June 2005 Volume 4/Issue 6 |
Building Client Relationships
Virtual Assistance is a relationship based profession. What are
you doing to develop your client relationships?
When first starting out with a new client trust needs to be built
and the relationship developed. One of the unique things about being
a VA is the type of relationship we do develop with our clients and
the virtual nature of them. This can create certain challenges and
in this edition of the Ask the Master we will explore some of the
strategies and tools you can use to create close, lasting relationships
with your clients.
Warmly,
Mary-Lou Ashton
Master Virtual Assistant
Questions In This Edition
(Click on the links to go to that question.) What can I do
to improve communication with a client?
How do I get started
with a client relationship? One of the first things you
should do is set up regular meetings with your client. Weekly, or
biweekly at the most, is ideal. Use these sessions to get to know
the client, their communication style, their energy level, their
expectations, their standards etc. Ask questions to clarify anything
you are not sure about and listen very carefully to what is, and
is not being, said.
What do I need
to communicate to the client? Be sure to establish
any ground rules and boundaries you require of the client. Let them
know what you expect from them. Remember you are a business owner
and not an employee and you have the option about who you choose
to work with and to support you in finding ideal clients.
Open and honest communication is critical right from the start.
If your gut, instincts or intuition is telling you something is
off, address it. If you have an idea or suggestion voice it.
How
do I deal with learning curves with new clients? Due to
the wide variety of the nature of client’s businesses we are
presented with continuous learning opportunities. Your client may
have some concerns about paying for you to learn. Reassure them
that you will not charge for learning curves that will benefit you
professionally. Take these opportunities to develop your skills
and expand the knowledge base you are able to offer clients. Do
not let the almighty dollar rule your client relationships.
What
can I do to support the development of the relationship? Schedule
regular debriefs with your clients. Debriefs are a useful tool to
use with new clients that will allow you to discover what’s
working, what’s not working and what opportunities are available
to expand and develop your client relationship. Using this tool
communicates to the client you value them and are focused on creating
a successful partnership.
What
other tools can I use to further the development of my client relationships?
If your client is open to it, schedule strategic planning
sessions with your client that can be separate or incorporated with
the debrief. Find out what your client’s current focus is
in their business. What actions need to be taken to support reaching
their goals? Map out monthly initiatives required to get there.
Keep track of these initiatives and review the results with the
client. This will support both of you in identifying changes in
directions required to reach goals. This will bring tremendous value
to your client relationships.
Brought to you by
Virtual Strategies
and the Virtual Assistant Training Program
Making dreams reality!
www.vatp.ca
info@vatp.ca
1-604-483-3740 |
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