When I respond to a request for proposal for a virtual assistant (VA) role, I like to share more than my skill set. I also like to share who I am personally because I’ve learned while working for different entrepreneurs who is a good fit for me…and who may not be a fit.
Here are my thoughts, in no particular order. Read them and see what you think.
1. My clients are passionate, and they work hard. I want to work with you if you work hard and are passionate about your work. If you’re new to your business, may I suggest that you think through what tasks you need done by a VA? Evaluate if you’re really ready to work with a virtual assistant. Can you hand off tasks? Might you micromanage? I don’t want to waste your resources by working on a task that won’t help your business.
2. I will say no to you before I say yes. What? I know that sounds surprising, but I will not say that I can get a task or project done by a certain deadline unless I know I can finish it on time. I’m not a last-minute person in any way, so I only say yes to a task if I know for sure I’ll get it done.
3. A big fault of mine is that I often respond too fast, which is great for you but not always a healthy way to do business. I’m still working on business balance. Related: when my business life is full and I don’t respond as quickly to your email, it doesn’t mean you’re not important to me.
4. Life happens, so I realize I may not hear from you for a while. It’s totally understandable. But please don’t ask for a quick 24-hr turnaround time the next time you give me a task.
5. I will take on your business as if it were mine, for example by thinking about ways we can streamline tasks and how can we upsell another product. But I’ll always defer to your wishes. I might suggest how I’ve seen some of the top business coaches do things, but I will always go with what you want.
6. I love most everything about my VA business because I’m always learning new things, learning how to use new apps and new software, and I also work with pretty cool people. I’m enrolled in a blogging course (hence this blog post) and a social media course, both of which will definitely help my future clients.
7. Finally, one of my favorite tasks is working in the customer support role of your business. I want your customers to feel heard and well taken care of. I know your current clients are extremely valuable to your business and you want and need for them to be treated as the valuable people that they are.
Now it’s your turn. Respond in the comments to tell me what you want YOUR potential clients to know about you?
