Use the ‘squeaky wheel’ principle

I often get asked by VAs what they should do if they’ve submitted a proposal to a client’s request and a few days have passed and they’ve heard nothing further.

I always advise them to use the ‘squeaky wheel’ principle.

What do you do when you have a squeaky wheel? You pay attention to it.

So the client needs the same prompting – you should be in regular contact (without making a nuisance of yourself) and follow up.  If they’ve heard from several Virtual Assistants and life is busy for them chances are making a decision and moving to the next step becomes all too hard. But if you’re the one that makes regular contact chances are you’re going to get them at a moment when they’re ready to hand it all over.

So make sure you contact them regularly, either via email or phone.  Don’t nag them, but rather just remind them that you’re there ready to assist them when they’re ready to make that move.  Or, if you know something about that client and their interests, you could pass on emails or articles of interest to them (that doesn’t mean forward all those forwarded emails to them otherwise you will be making a nuisance of yourself) with no reference at all to the work you’re waiting to hear about.

It’s a fine line, I know, but you don’t want them forgetting you exist either and I have known of many clients who have lost the bit of paper a number was written on or accidentally deleted that email they meant to keep or lost it amongst others.  Making regular contact will help keep you visible in front of them.