In part 1, we looked at how clear, consistent and easy communication is key to successful client relationships.  Today, we’ll look at 2 other ways to stand out from the crowd.

Professionalism

As a virtual assistant, your clients are looking for a few key features. They want their service to be provided:

• In a timely manner
• Without excuses
• Without additional fees
• To the best of your abilities

It’s not too much to ask for. And the truth is that many virtual assistants manage this just fine. To stand out, go above and beyond what you promise, you need to give your clients a little extra.

This can mean delivering a project early, giving them a little something extra that they didn’t pay for, or offering some useful information or advice.

Get Involved

Many virtual assistants provide a great service and do the work requested. To stand out, you want to get involved in your client’s success. Send them an email once in a while to say hello. Include a link to some information you think they might find valuable. Offer them a promotion. Connect with them on social networking sites.

When you are involved with your clients and in their community, you put yourself ahead of the competition. Clients will think of you first when they have a need.

When you sit down next to review your business, take a look at what you’re doing to stand out from the crowd. Integrate follow-up methods and business strategies. Offer more value. Connect. Show your clients why they want to do business with you again and again.

What are you doing to stand apart from every other virtual assistant?  Please leave your comments below.

Getting paid for your services is quite an important thing!  One way you can help your clients to pay you in a timely manner is to make it easy for them.

Think about:

BACS (Bankers’ Automated Clearing Service)

An easy option for clients is to send a BACS payment. It is straightforward for both the client and the VA. Clients simply use their online or telephone banking service to send the payment directly to your bank account. The money usually takes two or three working days to be transferred.

PayPal

PayPal is a quick and relatively easy way for clients to settle their invoices, using a credit or debit card. The only thing you need to consider is that fees are charged for receiving payments. However, you may choose to incorporate these fees into your invoices.

Standing Order

For your regular clients who are charged a monthly fee, think about setting up a standing order mandate for the fee so that you receive it in your bank without the client having to do anything.  You can then send an invoice for any charges over the monthly fee.

If you want some help in setting up an effective finance system for your business, check out the Finance Templates Pack at http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/products/virtual-assistant-document-templates/

Justine shares some fantastic tips on how clients can be your biggest fans and recommend your services to others.

Check out this great article about How to Turn Your Clients into Raving Fans.

Visit http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/articles  

The virtual assistant industry is rapidly expanding with new businesses are coming on board every day.  what this means is that you are now competing to find great clients, as well as keeping them.

Paying attention to a few details can make the difference between a full schedule and having to hunt for clients. In short, you need to stand out as a virtual assistant to build and grow your business. The good news is, if you’re dedicated, a few simple strategies can make a huge difference to your life and bank balance.

Clear, Consistent & Easy Communication

Clear, consistent and easy communication is one of the most importance thing you need to do with all your clients. Think about:

• Responding to your client’s emails or phone calls promptly. Don’t let 24 hours go by without a response
• Responding professionally. Ego has no place in a client communication. Respect, get to the point, and be courteous and professional
• Respond clearly. Email communications are easy to misunderstand. If you’re unsure your message is being communicated or received the way you intend, call your client

To stand out, make sure each communication you have with your client is positive. Be enthusiastic about connecting with your clients. They’ll receive that enthusiasm and reciprocate.

How are you going to communicate with your clients? Comment below.

Please check out part 1 for suggestions of boundaries for your VA business.

Some other questions to ask yourself:

Will you only be working certain hours?

Decide what your business hours are and make sure that you inform all prospective clients what they are. Some clients may try to push this boundary by calling 5 minutes before you finish wanting work completed for the next day. Be firm and say that you will start the work the following business day – but only if you have the capacity to.

What will your work turnaround time be?

You need to decide in advance what turnaround time you work towards for routine tasks so that you can inform all prospective clients. For example, I say that I will respond to all email correspondence within 24 hours and all routine work will be completed within 48 hours.

Will you be working 52 weeks per year?

Think about what holiday you want to take now so that you can start educating your clients or getting associates on board to cover for you.

Do you want a term time only business?

If you have children, you may choose to only work during term time and spend the holidays with your children. Again, now is the time to be able to start educating clients or getting associates on board to work during holidays.

By establishing your boundaries now, it can become part of your client intake process to inform and train your family and clients about how you operate.

You must remember that you are the boss of your very own company and you can say no!

What boundaries will you set up?