Comments on: Public Service Announcement: Virtual Assistants Really Hate it When …

By: Lesley-Anne Hornbogen

Lesley-Anne Hornbogen — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:42:33 +0000

This is a great post Karri. I can particularly relate to passing on a client to another VA if the “fit” isn’t right. I have done this where a prospective client has needed a service that I don’t provide – i.e. diary management – telephone answering service. The client was very grateful that I was able to refer them on to another VA that I knew did provide these services. Who knows the client might decide they need a letter typing in the future!

By: Sheila

Sheila — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:14:47 +0000

I love this article. I am going to refer to it on my site. I’m just starting out on my own in the VA world and it hasn’t been an easy road especially with the cost competition out there. I have awesome knowledge of customer service and anything computer related but until people get burned by using someone who advertises a surprisingly low hourly rate, they don’t end up coming to you until they need things fixed right!

By: Ask Viki!

Ask Viki! — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:12:12 +0000

Wow, Karri!

I’m going to reference this article in my July newsletter if that is ok with you! Since there are still a lot of people who don’t realize that time is money for us.

@Jeff You are so right about knowing what questions to ask, ask the wrong question, get the wrong answer! We’ve been putting up with ‘he’ for eons, thanks for understanding!

By: Particularly Virtual

Particularly Virtual — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:32:39 +0000

[...] that Karri Flattla of Snap Virtual Associates, Inc. seemed to be in when she wrote a piece, entitled “Public Service Announcement: Virtual Assistants Really Hate It When…” over at the blog for VAnetworking.com, Partnering with a Virtual Assistant. venting on clients who [...]

By: @ Bar JD Virtual Professionals » Rich, Dumb Client looking for Faithful Virtual Assistant??

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:30:18 +0000

By: JudyAnn Lorenz

JudyAnn Lorenz — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:56:31 +0000

Definitely, as posted so frequently by the network at VAnetworking.com, the client and the virtual assistant personality and actual task compatibility are priorities in the relationship. Even ahead of early quoted rates which can be ‘foolers’ until the client knows how skillful the VA is at that particular rate.

Something that can lead to struggle is jargon going both ways.

For new people on either side of the aisle, please check out my blog @ Bar JD Virtual Professionals (http://www.barjd.com) where I am writing more on this matter.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:57:10 +0000

Thanks for the post Karri. This will help clients that are new to the idea of VAs and how to prepare for the consultation. We (virtual assistants) come prepared to the consultation by looking up any and all information about them and about what we need for them so it is nice to have them provide the same readiness. It makes for better results on both sides.

By: Karri

Karri — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:00:44 +0000

@Jeff – Thanks for understanding I know there is absolutely a growing cohort of male VAs and it’s fabulous! You’re right about the questions getting asked on both sides of the equation too. I’ve always felt that asking questions is even more important than always having the “right” answer. It’s by asking the tough questions that we grow as business people.

By: Karri

Karri — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:55:38 +0000

@Angela – My post was intended to be a rant, though I beg to differ with the “petty” adjective given I provided some constructive information about how to make one’s search for a good VA a fruitful one.

You bet I get irritated (like many of the other commenters here apparently) when prospects are window shopping on my dime. Perhaps if there were more than 24 hours in a day I could sit on the horn from morning ’til night giving out free advice and chatting with prospects about the state of the economy and why they can’t find a good VA …

Despite the fact that time is a commodity in my business, however, I do spend it with prospective clients on the phone and/or by email discussing their needs, giving a little free advice when it’s appropriate and yes, signing on a few

My post is quite clearly advising those seeking a VA to ask all the questions they need to ask BEFORE I put a quote together. I never once in the post said I didn’t want to provide quotes.

I’m fairly versed in “how business works.” Been at it for a while. Win some, lose some. But everyone wins when both sides are fully engaged in the process … long before a quote is ever drawn up.

Thanks for your comments, Angela.
Cheers.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:05:58 +0000

I read this post since I am starting to think about finding a VA for the administrative work that is overflowing in my business. I believe that you started to write this with the intent to help people in finding a VA and to have a better relationship with a VA. But you just end up sounding petty and irritated that you have to work for a living. If you don’t want potential clients asking about your services or asking for a quote, then just tell them so when they first call you! I am willing to explain my services to potential clients and give them quotes for the services they are interested in. And guess what? Some of them sign up and some of them don’t. That is how business works. Thanks for letting me know where NOT to look for a VA!