A few weeks ago I had an interesting comment from someone who was looking for VA support. They said to me “I would have asked you but I know how busy you are and didn’t think you had room for me”. oops, is that how people really see me?
It was too late to say I was interested in the role – they’d already engaged another VA. But it did make me realise that others may have this perception too.
How are you promoting yourself? It’s good to let people know you’re busy but are you telling them you’re too busy to help them if they have a need?
As mentioned in other posts I do have a team of VAs so if I hit a very busy period I can call on them to help lighten the load, but generally I would like to make the decision if I’m too busy – and not someone else 😉
If you’re on the other side of the fence and there is someone you’d like to approach but you think they’re too busy, why not ask them anyway? You might just get a pleasant surprise. Things are not always as they appear.
Jenifer says
Greay article Kathie. By chance did that person point out what you had said or posted to give that perception? I have caught myself in the past even saying to an existing client that I am swamped not realizing until later that it may have kept me from receiving additional projects.
Kathie Thomas says
Not specifically Jenifer. I think because I run a team, write about the different things I’m doing and so on, she’d just made an assumption.