Turning Your VA Clients into Repeat Customers
Some virtual assistants complain about the ‘feast or famine’ cycles in their business. But the truth is that Virtual Assistants with this problem aren’t focused on getting repeat work. How to turn your VA clients into repeat customers is our topic of discussion today.
When you have repeat clients, you can balance your bills each month with ease and you don’t have to spend time constantly searching for new projects.
So, how do you get and keep repeat work?
Try using some of these tips…
Do Your Best
If you don’t do a good job with the initial project, clients aren’t likely to hire you for follow up ones. Think of your first project with a new client as an audition. You want to bring your best work to the table so that next time they have a project, they think of you.
Meet Your Deadlines
When you don’t deliver on time, clients are less likely to give you repeat work. If there truly is an emergency or a valid reason that you can’t meet a deadline, let your client know as far in advance as you can.
Send an email or call them on the phone. Tell them that you won’t be able to meet the deadline then suggest a new one. For example, “A loved one is having emergency surgery this week, so I can’t meet our deadline. However, I can have your project back to you by (a new date). Does that work for you?”
When you approach clients this way, most of them will be understanding and will still be open to working with you again. Honest communication is the foundation of a successful working relationship. It’s essential if you hope to turn a client into a repeat customer.
Offer a Long-Term Arrangement
When you’ve finished working on a project that both you and your client enjoyed, bring up the subject of working together again. For example, you might say something like, “I enjoyed redesigning your website. I notice your social media branding doesn’t match. I can help you with that.”
Don’t be pushy when you make this type of observation. Simply point out a problem area and offer to help. Some clients will be enthusiastic and want to start work immediately while others may not be ready to hire you for another project just yet.
Create a Package
Another way to land more repeat customers is to create a package around your most popular services. If you’re a virtual assistant who specializes in social media management, then you could create a package where you upload 100 social media updates for your clients.
Your clients may be more likely to hire you to do this task when they know how much you’ll charge. It makes it easy for them to look at their budget and determine if they can afford your services.
But when it comes to creating a package, try to look for a task or project that clients will need monthly, like blog content or website backups. This way, your clients can continue to pay you month after month.
Getting repeat work can take time.
Keep offering exceptional service and let clients know that you’re available for more work in the future.