I might get flack from my fellow VAs (virtual assistants) about this, but I’m not just virtual. I’ve met all but two of my clients. I remember when I was just starting my business and I was reading all the different VA forum posts and visiting the VA gathering spots on the web, and reading some industry blogs, I found that several VAs would stress that to be considered “virtual” you basically could not meet clients. I tried to wrap my mind around it, and as I dug deeper, I found that one VA in particular almost had a campaign about what a “real” VA was and what a “fake” VA was. Apparently, she was a VA that never met clients personally, worked remotely from home and only communicated via our different means of technology. This is the typical description of a VA, and I tried to do just that when I launched my business.
However, I could not help it that my first two clients were located right here in New York City and wanted to meet me as we continued working together. I seriously thought that my meeting them would make me a “fake” VA. I had all these reservations about what my new status would be as a VA. I knew that the majority of VAs never meet their clients, but I like to meet my clients! I continued to meet those first two clients, and a friendship blossomed. I liked that my clients could put a face to the voice on the telephone and an image behind the emails they get from me.
I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I worked independently on various marketing campaigns for many companies see here. I loved the interaction with people. I loved engaging the clients. So, that feeling remains the same. I am a virtual assistant, because I work remotely from my home office, and the bulk of my communication with clients is via phone/email/text. However, I enjoy meeting my clients. I enjoy sitting down with them and strategizing about ways to grow their business. I feel as though to effectively help my clients, and for them to know that I am part of their team, the relationship has to be more than us just presenting ideas over the phone and via email.
I know some of my friends are still puzzled about what a virtual assistant is, so I hope this answers their questions. Yes, I work from home and do things “virtually,” but I also like meeting my clients. Therefore, I’m not just virtual.
Until next time,
Anastacia