| Every Virtual Assistant starts her practice with | | | | Create a clear picture of this group of people in |
| dreams of working from home, on interesting | | | | your head. Then narrow it down to one person. |
| projects, with clients she LOVES, who pay her | | | | Create a profile of the EXACT client you want to |
| EXACTLY what her time is worth. So how does | | | | work with. Your favorite client. The person you |
| one go about making this dream a reality? Simple. | | | | can't believe you get paid to work with because |
| By filling her practice with her IDEAL clients. | | | | it's so much fun. Write down as much detail as |
| Please understand, only working with IDEAL clients | | | | you can about this person. In fact, give them a |
| is far different than just having paying clients. | | | | name. |
| When I first started my business, I didn't know | | | | For instance, my ideal client's name is Alexis |
| there was a difference and worked with anyone | | | | Taylor. She is 35 years old and runs a highly |
| who wanted to hire me. I learned the hard way, | | | | successful marketing consulting firm in San |
| by trial and error, to save myself many hours of | | | | Francisco. She has an MBA and loves to read. She |
| frustration by being really selective about whom I | | | | lives in a cool loft, is married to her best friend, |
| chose to invite into my practice. Once I | | | | loves wine, visits to the spa and vacations on the |
| completely embraced this concept, my business | | | | beach. She is easy going, fun loving, extremely |
| completely changed for the better. | | | | business savvy, and loves technology. She's too |
| You see, YOUR ideal client is not the same as | | | | busy doing what she does to manage the |
| mine or anyone else's. Your business is YOU, all | | | | day-to-day operations of her business, so she |
| that makes you special, unique and talented. So | | | | TRULY appreciates all that I do for her and has |
| one essential key to running a successful Virtual | | | | no problem paying my fees. |
| Assistant business is to ONLY work with the | | | | When I meet prospective clients, I assess their |
| clients you are best suited to work with, those | | | | personality, work style, background and goals to |
| you can best serve. That way, you come to | | | | see how they match up to my ideal client profile. |
| work every day engaged, excited and motivated, | | | | Even if a person doesn't match this 100%, there |
| because you love what you do and who you do it | | | | are certain factors that are deal-makers and |
| for. And your clients are thrilled to pieces with | | | | deal-breakers, and I don't budge on these. I've |
| your deliverables because they get top-notch | | | | learned from experience that my deciding to |
| service from a diligent, cheery Assistant. | | | | work with a non-ideal client won't serve either of |
| Everybody wins! | | | | us well and is really a waste of our time. So, it's |
| Finding YOUR ideal client starts with you, not | | | | far better for me to turn down the business and |
| them. To identify who you DO want to work | | | | help them find someone who is perfectly suited |
| with, you must first clarify who you DON'T want | | | | to support them. If I need to get a new client, I |
| to work with. So ask yourself: | | | | just have to go where the "Alexis Taylor's" of |
| - What characteristics or behavior will you refuse | | | | the world hang out, present how I can help them |
| to tolerate in your business? | | | | and voila! I have a new client. It makes my |
| - What kinds of people do not deserve a place in | | | | marketing SO easy! And is thus how I have built |
| your business? | | | | a full practice that is bursting at the seams! |
| - What turns you off or shuts you down? | | | | Don't be afraid to set strict boundaries in your |
| Once you have this list down, turn your attention | | | | business, and especially with your ideal client |
| to who IS a great fit for your business! Ask | | | | profile. This is YOUR business and it needs to |
| yourself: | | | | reflect your needs and desires. Having these |
| - What types of people do I love to be around? | | | | boundaries in place will protect you and allow you |
| - What qualities do they possess? | | | | to provide your best service to your ideal clients, |
| - What do they like to do? | | | | which is guaranteed to contribute to a full, thriving |
| - What do they talk about? | | | | Virtual Assistant practice. |
| - What type of business are they in? | | | | |