Your relationship with all potential clients, truly begins with that all-important discovery call – your first opportunity to connect and understand their business needs. It’s crucial to use this call to establish a relationship and to identify how you can best support them. Relationship is vital and people buy from people so remember to be fully engaged and committed on the call.

It’s essential to understand how and where your prospective client needs support as well as an understanding of what their business is, what objectives they are trying to achieve and if they’ve had experience of working with a VA before. You need to make them feel confident that you are the right person for the job and that they’ll be in excellent hands.

Here are some tips on how to have a successful first meeting with a new client and what you should discuss:

• Introduction

Start the call with a warm greeting and introduce yourself. Give a brief overview of your background and experience as a virtual assistant. Be sure to mention any areas of expertise that may be relevant to the client’s business needs.

• Learn about their business

Ask questions about the client’s business to understand their industry, target market, and goals. Try to gain insight into what they do, how they do it, and what challenges they face. This will help you identify areas where you can add the most value.

• Identify their pain points

Ask the client what their biggest pain points are and how they currently address them. This will help you understand where they need the most support and how you can help alleviate their challenges.

• Discuss their expectations

Ask the client what they expect from a Virtual Assistant. Be sure to ask about their preferred communication methods, turnaround times, and how they would like tasks to be prioritized. This will help you set expectations and ensure that you are both on the same page.

• Determine your role

Ask the client what specific tasks they need help with and what your role will be in their business. This will help you understand how you can best support them and what areas you should focus on.

• Set goals

Discuss the client’s short and long-term goals and how you can help them achieve these goals. This will help you develop a plan of action and ensure that your work is aligned with their business objectives.

• Discuss logistics

Ask the client about their preferred method of communication, the frequency of communication, and any deadlines they may have. This will help you establish a schedule and ensure that you are meeting their needs.

• Discuss pricing

Be sure to discuss pricing with the client and provide them with a clear understanding of your rates and billing practices. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings down the road.

A discovery call is an excellent opportunity to connect with a potential client and identify how you can best support their business. By asking the right questions and setting clear expectations, you can establish a strong working relationship with your client and deliver the services they need to achieve their goals. Remember, communication is key, so be sure to stay in touch with your client and check in regularly to ensure that you are meeting their needs.

Learn more about how to set up a discovery call with potential clients and what you should be covering in the call with my VA coaching and mentoring programme – book a free 30-minute introductory call with me to find out how I can support you.