| Questioning is a valuable skill for a Virtual Assistant | | | | for the other person to answer, and doesn't |
| (VA). It's important to ask questions, the right | | | | force them to reveal too much about themselves. |
| questions. What questions do you have in your | | | | For example: How long have you been in |
| toolbox? | | | | business? Do you have a web site? Have you |
| You should be asking questions anytime you meet | | | | ever worked with a VA before? |
| potential clients, when developing a new or | | | | Open questions receive a longer answer and ask |
| existing client relationship, for obtaining service | | | | the respondent to think and reflect. They will give |
| feedback, when requesting testimonials, and in | | | | you opinions and feelings and hand control of the |
| your marketing materials. | | | | conversation to the respondent. They are used as |
| Asking questions is important for several reasons. | | | | a follow on from closed questions, to develop a |
| First of all it shows people you are interested in | | | | conversation and open up someone who is rather |
| what they have to say and secondly because of | | | | quiet. Use them to find out more about a person, |
| what the answers can reveal to you. The most | | | | their wants, needs, problems, and so on and to |
| powerful thing asking questions can elicit is | | | | get people to realize the extent of their problems |
| potential opportunities, both with potential and | | | | (to which, of course, you have the solution). For |
| existing clients. These opportunities can support | | | | example: What would need to happen for you to |
| the development of a new client relationship, take | | | | consider hiring a Virtual Assistant? Describe what |
| an existing relationship to the next level or open | | | | that relationship would look like. What is most |
| the door to new clients. | | | | important to you about your business? |
| Questions can be a powerful way of connecting | | | | Make it easy for your clients to provide you with |
| with the issues or challenges of potential clients. It | | | | testimonials. Asking questions facilitates this in |
| is a way of relating to them and getting them to | | | | addition to allowing you to somewhat tailor what |
| connect you with the solution to their problems. | | | | the testimonial says. Ask the client if they would |
| When creating your marketing materials you want | | | | be willing to provide a testimonial and then create |
| to put yourself in your potential client's shoes and | | | | three questions for them to answer. |
| ask yourself what question if asked of you would | | | | For instance if you wanted a general testimonial |
| make you move forward. For example: Not | | | | you could ask: What challenges were you facing in |
| enough time to focus on what you do best? | | | | your business? What made you decide to hire a |
| Looking for support to grow your business? What | | | | VA? What difference has working with a VA |
| would you do if you had more time? | | | | made? |
| Be sure that you ask both open and closed | | | | If you wanted a testimonial on a specific issue |
| questions, starting with closed questions first. | | | | you could ask: Describe a specific challenge you |
| Closed questions can be answered with either a | | | | were facing. How did your Virtual Assistant |
| single word, a short phrase or with a yes or no. | | | | support you in overcoming this challenge? What |
| Closed questions give you facts, are quick and | | | | was the result of the support? |
| easy to answer and keep control of the | | | | Copyright 2002-2006 - Virtual Strategies. All |
| conversation with the questioner. As opening | | | | Rights Reserved. |
| questions in a conversation, as it makes it easy | | | | |