Building A Succesful Relationship With Your VA

The VA/Client relationship is a unique one. While a VA is part of a person's day to day life, emails, calls, and daily texts, there is no face to face interactions. A VA may know all your passwords and all your incoming emails, but still no face to face interactions. It's an interesting type of relationship because while there is that personal knowledge shared and daily interactions, there isn't that connection you get when working in an office with someone.

A successful relationship would be one where both parties are happy, work is being completed successfully and the business is growing. It's not something that necessarily comes naturally. Like any other relationship, there are nuances that need to be present to be successful.

Communication is key! Let me say it again in case you missed it...COMMUNICATION IS KEY! VA's are not mind readers, even the best ones! In order for a job to be done efficiently and correctly, a client needs to communicate what the goal is, what needs to be done, all the different aspects. Eventually, a relationship is built where little to no instructions need to be given. That's the dream...for both client and VA. But that's not how the relationship starts out. Before you get there, communicating as much as possible in the beginning is critical to ensure a successful, long relationship down the line.

A SHARED TASK LIST is important so everyone's on the same page. Whether it's a fancy program (paid or free options) or a simple shared excel sheet, listing tasks for the week or month are a great way to make sure you're both on the same page and things are being checked off. The goal, of course, is to be efficient in your business. A shared list provides the knowledge to both the VA and the client of what the other is doing and keeps a great line of open communication.

To piggyback off the shared list, DEADLINES are important. On that shared list include deadlines, that way it's clear to both of you when tasks are expected to be completed.

CLEAR EXPECTATIONS are important for everyone and should be shared before the relationship officially begins. Expectations can change along the way, but always communicating what you expect of your VA is a way to ensure she will meet those expectations. It works the other way as well. What expectations does the VA have of her client? What tasks does she expect to receive? What hours does she expect communication? Expectations are important to map out...always!

It's important both VA and the client have documentation of all correspondences. To be able to look back and remember exactly how a task was worded or an important reminder. I never delete emails. Each client has a folder and within that folder is a subfolder marked 'done'. This way I can keep a sharp eye on everything going on and not lose important information.

Lastly, BE FRIENDLY AND KIND TO ONE ANOTHER. Professionalism is important and certainly, lines should never be crossed, but a friendly banter or exchange is important as well. Ask how your client's family is doing? How are they today? Having a friendly relationship keeps things pleasant and enjoyable as time goes by. I've shared news of my son's graduation and I've heard about my client's family vacations.

The VA/Client relationship is important to both parties involved and making it successful from the beginning isn't difficult when using the right tools. I hope the tools I provided gives you an overview of what a successful relationship looks like and how to get there.

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