I’ve had years of experience working with corporate directors, corporate boards, to working with various clients in my own business. I’ve worked with some rippers, both good and bad so how do I tell if a client will be a good client from a bad client?’

What makes a good client? Today, I work with the type of clients we all want, the game changers, the leaders, the people who see the value in everything that you do, no matter what. These clients are doing good in the world. They make it that little bit better every day for everyone they come in contact with. They are passionate, knowledgeable, business smart and people who will change the world, one person at a time.

When you meet with a prospective client, the meeting shouldn’t be one-sided. Some clients tend to take over and at the end of it all, you feel like you’ve just been steamrolled. It’s not just about them choosing you as their Virtual Assistant; it is also about you choosing them as your client. You have a choice.

When you meet your prospective client, look for these traits when determining whether or not they will be a good fit for your business. These are traits I look for in a client; I want to work with people like this.

Good client

  • Reliable
  • Accountable
  • Great communicators
  • Empathetic
  • Able to delegate
  • Confident
  • Committed
  • Forward thinkers
  • Optimistic
  • Inspirational
  • Intuitive

It did take me a little while and a few sacked clients, but even a bad client turns out to be a good client.  They teach you what it is you don’t need. While the experience of dealing with someone who turns out to be a bad client can be a shocker and very stressful, it is an incredible learning curve and one that we have either all been through or are yet to go through.

In my 11+ years of business, I have said goodbye to many clients. I didn’t always get it right, but I do now. There have been various reasons why I told these clients we could not continue to work together. It is never a pleasant experience to part ways. However, it is so important to always do so with absolute professionalism, and it is necessary to continue the growth of both yourself and your business. Here is what I’ve found.

Bad client

  • Unreliable
  • Change their mind constantly
  • Not accountable for their own actions
  • Bad communicators
  • Can’t delegate or don’t want to delegate
  • Can’t focus on one thing.
  • It’s all about them
  • Not supportive
  • Appear set in their ways
  • Micromanage

Working with a client with these traits will most certainly 100% make you feel undervalued, stressed and anxious and before you know it, you will be double guessing yourself, and questioning everything you do.

How to tell the difference

Look for the following points when you have your first meeting. Perhaps formulate some of your questions to gauge their response. It’s all about their behaviour (they will also be looking for the same behavioural responses from you).

  • Did they make me feel comfortable?
  • Did they listen to me?
  • Did they ask questions that were open or closed?
  • Did they do all the talking?
  • Did they say, I did, I do, I want, I need?
  • How did they refer to their team? Was it we or I?
  • Did they talk like a politician?
  • Did they look at me or to me?
  • Were they clock watching?
  • Did they constantly check their phone?

As much as we want to grow our business to spend more time doing what we love, there is a line you need to draw with the type of people you are willing to work with. Remember, you are running a business; you ARE NOT an employee.

If you’re ready to take your virtual assistant business to the next level and change your lifestyle, visit The Virtual Assistant Project and see how I can help you. Be better. Do Better!