Clients - which is better: long-distance or local
Let me know your thoughts
As I continue to develop my company, I listen to a virtual assistant show on Blog-Talk Radio. It suddenly occurs to me: is it better to have clients who are in my area or clients who are out of my area?
What is my comfort level? What is my energy level? Can there ever be too much attention to detail?
I can provide more efficient service in a vitual setting to two or three clients who reside hundreds of miles from me while the local clients like a hands-on approach and personalized pampering.
Long-distance - text messages or emails for a quick update; local - early morning calls to inquire on my recommendations for a book or ideas on the best place to purchase a particular item or to ask my opinion on a restaurant.
Long-distance - exchange clippings or links on interesting articles; local - a quick mention of an added need or service while passing each other at the grocery store or library. Thank goodness for quick notes and electronic devices!
Both long-distance and local clients enjoy being thought of as special or VIPs in my life. It's good to remember birthdays, anniversaries, pets, children/grandchildren, special hobbies or interests, etc. Each type of client appreciates a note of congratulations or bereavement. A happy satisfied client comes back again and again and will often introduce you to his or her network of friends and colleagues.
The human element is amazing.
Clients - which are better: long-distance or local? HMMmmm
As I continue to develop my company, I listen to a virtual assistant show on Blog-Talk Radio. It suddenly occurs to me: is it better to have clients who are in my area or clients who are out of my area?
What is my comfort level? What is my energy level? Can there ever be too much attention to detail?
I can provide more efficient service in a vitual setting to two or three clients who reside hundreds of miles from me while the local clients like a hands-on approach and personalized pampering.
Long-distance - text messages or emails for a quick update; local - early morning calls to inquire on my recommendations for a book or ideas on the best place to purchase a particular item or to ask my opinion on a restaurant.
Long-distance - exchange clippings or links on interesting articles; local - a quick mention of an added need or service while passing each other at the grocery store or library. Thank goodness for quick notes and electronic devices!
Both long-distance and local clients enjoy being thought of as special or VIPs in my life. It's good to remember birthdays, anniversaries, pets, children/grandchildren, special hobbies or interests, etc. Each type of client appreciates a note of congratulations or bereavement. A happy satisfied client comes back again and again and will often introduce you to his or her network of friends and colleagues.
The human element is amazing.
Clients - which are better: long-distance or local? HMMmmm
Tags: advertising, area, client, client-base, clients, generating, income, local, marketing, networking, More…
Views: 4
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alba Henderson on -
Great Article! I agree with what you stated here....
I can provide more efficient service in a vitual setting to two or three clients who reside hundreds of miles from me while the local clients like a hands-on approach and personalized pampering.
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Permalink Reply by Joel D Canfield on -
The human element is amazing.
That's a great big bingo. And it's the answer to your question. Neither is better. The best way to grow your business is face-to-face real life networking. Smother those local clients with VIP treatment, and they'll give you the highest form of advertising: word of mouth.
When you're referred like that, your relationship with a new prospect has trust baked into it. Your long-distance clientele will grow on its own through the word of mouth provided by your ecstatic clients, local or remote, who you've show that human element.
Sometimes, it's better to choose, but this is one of the rare places where a VA can shine on either side of the fence.
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Permalink Reply by Gabster Media on -
Everything is going local. I would simply tweak the way you market yourself. Look at some different keyword phrases that may be generating traffic at a local level. Maybe people are searching for Internet Marketing Consultant or Social Media Expert instead of Virtual Assistant. I really think that local is the way to go though.
Jason Murphy
Social Media Consultant Cleveland
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Permalink Reply by Ella Pelayo on
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Both will do. There are lots of advantages in both sides. And it's up to you how you handle them. The human element is amazing! Right!
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