Have you ever gone into a small store to purchase a snack and then when you went to pay for it, the cashier was “busy” on their cell phone? Yes it appeared as if you were interrupting them. Even though it is their job to provide service for you, they come across as if it is a burden to assist you.
How does that reflect on the business? Does it make you want to come back? Realistically that is not the way to treat a customer. In fact we should come across as if it is a pleasure to serve the customer. How about you?
When it comes to your Internet business are a professional or are you simply doing a boring job? Let’s take a look at a couple examples and areas that we can improve upon.
Okay then here we go. We are going to assume that you are an independent contractor like a Virtual Assistant or a Freelance service provider. These are both in their very nature a professional business. Companies or individuals are turning to you for your expertise.
However being a professional is more than just performing a service in a satisfactory manner. Remember our cashier? There is no doubt that they know how to ring out your sale and send you on your way. But knowing how to use the cash register is just a part of their job isn’t it?
Likewise if you are a VA, it is safe to assume that you know how to perform the services you provide. For example maybe you offer professional accounting services. Or maybe you are a Freelance web designer? Again the reality is you probably are somewhat reliable at providing such services or you wouldn’t bother offering them.
Your success however, will be determined by far more than your actual work. Your performance will be judged and evaluated on an entire package. By what you do, how well you do it, and the manner in which you do it?
Yes as VA or a Freelance contractor what does your package add up to? Aside from doing the job do you market yourself professionally? Does your web page and any other advertising tell the world who you are and what you are capable of? Do you deliver what you say you can deliver?
Do you provide a timely service? If you say you are going to be done in 2 weeks, are you? Do you complete everything you promised you would? Are you very clear as to what it is you will be doing for your client?
Do you prepare contracts that spell out in detail the services that you will provide and the cost of those services? Does it explain when these services will be finished and so on?
Are you available and accessible to your clients? Do you return messages and/or phone calls in a timely manner? Do you answer all questions in a satisfactory fashion? Do you make your client feel like their concerns are important to you? Customers do not want to feel like you don’t have time for their attention because you have so many other customers. In fact it is more professional if you turn down a project and explain that you would not be able to give them the service they deserve. Of course you would offer them the option of your assistance at a future time. Your professionalism may likely motivate them to wait if it is not urgent.
Taking this a little further you may even be able to take the job and sub contract the job out to another reliable associate or colleague. However, be certain they have the same standards of professionalism that you do.
Continuing in this theme it would be wise to decline a project you are not qualified to do. Of course if you are taking the job with intention of letting a qualified person or team perform the service that would do the trick. Again, as long as it is done professionally, in fact this may be a way that you could learn to perform additional services. Yes combining your continued education with on the job training will help you expand your services.
In all actuality it would be professional to always continue to pursue more education. You should always be up to date. For example some accounting requires knowledge of legal applications. A professional will be on top of all the latest changes in the law. As well as recent upgrades in software and concepts that may apply to other forms of VA or Freelance services. Be willing to learn new things and new options.
In summary the VA and Freelance world is very competitive and yet continues to grow. Those who are successful are taking the professional approach. How about you?
This is a post from the " Be Professional " series of articles.
Other posts from this series:
- Be Professional Even Doing Your Hobby
- Be Professional Don't Follow The Path of Least Resistance
- Be Professional: Writing and Blogging
- Be Professional: Good Video/Audio And Imaging
- Be Professional: Advice Can Be Rewarding
- Be Professional: Be Flexible and Know Your Target Market
- Be Professional: Selling Your Products
- Be Professional: Affiliate Marketing
- Be Professional: Listen Up Recruiters
| Subscribe to BevyHost via RSS Feed | ||||
| Follow BevyHost on Twitter |
Copyright © 2009 BevyHost.com.














