I received a newsletter during the week from a coach who was talking about the very topic of this blog post.  It raised an important aspect and that is not all clients are a good fit for us as Virtual Assistants.  I know if cash flow is slow, our businesses are new or going through a slump, that we want to say yes to every client that makes contact, but that’s not always a good thing to do.  Particularly if the client has had a bad experience with a previous VA – they can often react to us in the same vein, painting us with the same brush.

If you sense that something is not right then it’s probably best to say out right that you don’t wish to work with them, or that you don’t really need to do this.  If the client objects or suggests this is just a tactic on your behalf, be firm and say you don’t believe you’re a good fit but perhaps you could help them find the right VA.  And make sure you do that.  If you belong to one or more VA networks that shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do.

It’s important to maintain your dignity and self-worth and it’s powerfully re-affirming when you know you don’t have to accept every client that comes along.  Picking the right type of client for your VA business is an important part of your business operation.  It can actually increase your business and sales and eliminate the grief factor you could experience through dealing with clients that aren’t right for you.

Saying no to the wrong client will actually make room for the right client.  After all you can’t work with everyone and if your capacity is full and some of those clients aren’t the ‘right clients’ then you won’t have capacity for those that are.