9 Warning Signs That You Shouldn’t Work Together

The web form inquiry came in. The phone appointment was scheduled. The conversation unfolded and the project was discussed. Then the warning signs began to appear. At first you shrugged them off. You figured bending a few boundaries or policies could happen. The churning in your gut could be ignored…for now…or you can acknowledge that your working styles aren’t going to mesh. You can decide that it’s better to back away and refer this person to someone else.

If you come up against these warning signs do not pass go. Do not send the contract. Do not take on this client.

1. If the prospect appears overly scattered. This could be their creative style and may not compliment your typically organized style. It also may be that they are overworked and truly need a virtual assistant. Listen closely and continue to determine as the conversation unfolds.
2. If the prospect has a potty mouth. If the bad language and insults appear during the initial conversation when first impressions are forefront it may be a sign of what’s to come during stress or tight deadlines.
3. Thinks of you as their employee. It’s hard for some to look at a virtual assistant as another business owner. Be mindful of employer creep so that it doesn’t rear its ugly head and begin dictating the how and when of performing your services.
4. If the prospect is interruptive during the conversation. Initial calls should always be give-and-take as you each get to know each other. Talking over the other people or interrupting before a point can be clearly stated is a sign of communication troubles to come.
5. Unwilling to observe your established payment terms. When a prospect tells you when they will pay you they aren’t being respectful to how you operate your business. It’s unrealistic to go into a business and tell them you’ll use their services or buy their products and pay when it suits your cash flow and timetable.
6. Wants you to work without payment or on conditions. You’re in business to be in business, plain and simple. Working without payment or based on pre-imposed results does not keep your business in cash flow. There’s seldom a good reason to float another business a loan like this. Yes, it is a form of a loan and has benefits solely for the other business.
7. If the prospect wants to sign your contract NOW but not begin for several months. Unless that prospect is willing to pay to hold space in your client roster now the answer should be “no.”  It’s okay if during the conversation it’s realized they aren’t ready for a VA yet. Or, perhaps they need to develop areas before needing the level of support you offer. They can absolutely come back to see if you’re interested in moving forward and have a client opening for them. Holding a space in hopes that they follow through keeps you from your earning potential. Remember, you’re in business to be in business. You never want to hold spaces that aren’t bringing in income.
8. Wants assurance you’ll do what you say and doesn’t want to pay in advance.  Working with a virtual assistant involves mutual trust. Most VAs have testimonials on their website. Prospect clients should be encouraged to contact those businesses and ask their questions about working with this VA. When so many of the services performed happen in real time it’s paramount to get some payment, if not all, in advance. I shake my head when prospects say they don’t trust the VA…to do the work…yet hand over their login and password information or credit card information without blinking an eye. Trust is trust. If it’s not there then you’re not a good fit to work together.
9. If the prospects want to sub out and have you seek payment directly from their client yet you don’t have a contract with their client. Run! There’s rarely a reason to let the middleman absorb no risk. It’s not your responsibility to chase down their client for payment – ever! If you’re subcontracting and giving that business a sub rate then they need to be responsible for seeing that you get paid by your terms. Whoever signs the client is responsible for payment and in reality is YOUR client.