Comments on: What is a conversation like with a new or potential client who is leary of working “virtually”?

By: Should You Meet With Your Clients Face to Face?

Should You Meet With Your Clients Face to Face? — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:30:35 +0000

[...] The consensus has been positive but I think we need to look at the negatives as well. Candy over on 2 Minutes with a VA did a post that focused on how to respond to clients who want you to come to their office and I [...]

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:42:14 +0000

Very well put Candy. Especially your point about “you know where everything is”. Since my niche is social media marketing, I have lots of special tools and sites I implement on a daily basis. Everything is in my bookmarks on my computer. If I had to do the same tasks on a client’s computer, it would take me twice the time to go to the sites, log-in, etc. I am sooo much more efficient in “my own space”.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:28:35 +0000

Hi Candy, You make some excellent points here. I was just reading a thread about this over on VA Forums. They were talking about meeting clients face to face and the general consensus is that it helps to build the relationship. I disagree – I think it is a dangerous precedent to start. As you mentioned, it is a time waster.
This usually happens because clients are not used to working virtually and just can’t “wrap their brains” around the concept. It is our job to educate them and guide them just as you describe. Once alternative might be to do your initial consultation via Skype video call so that they can at least see you are “real” and get more of an idea of your professionalism.
Good stuff Candy – thanks!