Being a virtual assistant comes with its highs and lows. While cultivating long-term relationships with clients is our goal, sometimes clients may decide to part ways for various reasons. When faced with such a situation, virtual assistants need to handle it professionally and strategically.
We know how this feels, as we all go through this stage sometimes, let us look into some actionable steps we can take when clients stop working with us, along with productive activities to engage in while waiting for new opportunities.
- Evaluate the Situation: Before taking any action, it’s crucial to understand why the client is leaving. Reach out to your HR Manager and ask if there was feedback that the client provided in a polite and non-confrontational manner. Understanding the client’s reasons can provide valuable insights for improvement in the future.
- Update Portfolio and Resume: Use this time to update your portfolio and resume with the latest skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Highlight successful projects and quantify achievements wherever possible. A polished portfolio can attract new clients and opportunities. Reach out to our Recruitment team and request for the Candidate Profile form to update your profile.
- Upskill and Invest in Professional Development: Continuous learning is essential in any profession, including virtual assistance. Identify areas for skill enhancement or certification courses that align with your career goals. Investing in yourself demonstrates commitment and adds value to your services. Grab this time to visit our online training site by checking our Google site
- Reach Out to our HR Manager: Don’t hesitate to reach out to Cherry and inform your availability and willingness for new opportunities. Check item number 2 above to ensure you have an updated profile that the Recruitment team can use to endorse you to possible clients.
- Consider Diversifying Services: Assess whether there’s a demand for additional services you could offer. For example, if you specialize in administrative tasks, consider expanding into social media management or content writing. Diversifying your skill set can attract a broader range of clients.
- Maintain a Positive Mindset: Dealing with client departures can be disheartening, but maintaining a positive mindset is crucial. Focus on the opportunities ahead rather than dwelling on setbacks. Remember that client turnover is a natural part of this business, and new opportunities will arise. The key here is that you have to make yourself marketable, available, and competitive enough to ensure that clients would like to work with you.
- Time to think like a business owner: Now that you have experienced a damaging situation, where you just don’t lose a client, but of course your income. Take this time as part of your career development strategy by improving the way you think. Stop looking at yourself as a VA, and start thinking like a business owner. Treat the situation as losing an important client from your business and you want to bounce back and gain a better one to recoup what you lost and reap a better ROI. This will help you the chances of understand your client better when you start working with a new one and give more attention to ensure that you not only serve your purpose but also deliver a quality output to keep your business going and winning.
We also encourage you to take this time to upscale your interview skills. You can watch these videos and prepare your elevator pitch so once the recruitment team starts endorsing your profile and you get invited to attend a client interview, you are ready and confident that you can nail it!
While losing a client can be challenging, virtual assistants must approach the situation professionally and proactively. These actionable steps can help you improve your craft to make you bounce back stronger and attract new clients.
Additionally, engaging in productive activities while waiting for new opportunities ensures continuous growth and development in the interim.
Remember, every setback is an opportunity for growth and improvement in your virtual assistant journey.
