How do I start a meeting with a potential client is often one of the first things that go through our mind when we secure a time to meet. Should you tell them about your business, about you, what you like, don’t like, what you specialise in, what you’re not interested in doing?

Knowing how to begin your meeting is important but it’s not vital, the sky won’t fall if you don’t do any of these 5 tips, but they will make you more comfortable, and give you a great chance of securing your next virtual assistant client.

  1. Do your homework – know who you’re meeting with. Check their Linkedin Profile and company website. Don’t forget to Google their name to see if there are any articles, press releases or other relevant information on them.
  2. Go prepared – take your notes. It’s perfectly alright to meet with a potential client and refer to your notes. Don’t think you have to remember every little detail about them or their company. I use an Evernote A5 notebook and take that with me. I have bullet points that I refer to, and then when they have been discussed I simply put a tick beside them.
  3. Be personable – don’t be their next best friend. It’s hard when you have a super bubbly personality, the sunshine just pours out of you. My advice here is to be personable, but don’t over do it. There is nothing worse than meeting someone for the first time who completely dominates the meeting. Make sure you ask lots of questions, show interest but don’t continually talk about yourself.
  4. Be an SME – don’t be just like the last one. Show your skills and knowledge. If you’re meeting with someone who is looking for a web site VA and you only know Joomla. You’re not going to be able to talk objectively, especially if you need to know WordPress to be talking with this potential client. Your personal development does more for you than just take up couch time.
  5. Know who you are – fluffy won’t get you a client. Understand your own strengths and weaknesses is very important for a successful client / VA match. Most clients are looking for a VA who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Always have the guts to consult up. You’re not an employee.

Being empowered to take the lead at a meeting should be important to you.  Your potential client is a peer, they are not a boss or more senior to you. You are on equal footing unless you choose to give away the power.

What are your thoughts on meeting with a potential client? Please, take a moment to leave a comment in the comment section below.