Be Clear About What You Do

When first starting out as a Virtual Assistant, a great way to find clients is to have your friends and family help spread the word about your new business. But in order for that to happen, you need be to be able to clearly articulate the work you do. In this episode of The RocketGirl Show, I'll share how I describe my work to others.

TRANSCRIPT 

I'm Belinda Wasser also known as RocketGirl and today we're going to talk about why it's important to be clear about what you do. 

When we are out and about and meeting new people a lot of times or even on a zoom call, someone will say what do you do?, what do you do for work?, and I have seen this so many times. People will act like this is a new question that no one has ever asked them before and they'll just start talking and they'll talk talk talk.  

And the other thing that I've noticed is the newer they are at this thing they'll talk even more. And what happens is, the person that they're talking to gets completely confused. Or the other thing people do is they talk in jargon, you know, they'll use acronyms and things and the person who's listening doesn't know and maybe they feel a little uninformed. So they don't even want to ask a question so they just kind of let it go and that's the end of that conversation. But something completely different could happen and today we're gonna talk about that.  

So when you're clear about what you do and in a second, I'm going to tell you exactly how to do that. When you're clear, people have the opportunity to hire you because they think, 'Oh, that's really great. I need that.' The other thing that happens that is almost even more important is that they will refer you to others. 

So think about the last time someone asks you, 'Do you know a really good fill in the blank dentist, mechanic, you know, plumber and immediately the person goes, 'Oh! who do I know?" Well, when someone understands what you do and someone asks them in a conversation, "Do you know anyone that can fill in the blank?" You're the first person that's going to come to mind. 

So let's talk about how I'd like you to approach this. I say the same thing every single time when someone asks me that question, I have practiced it. I haven't memorized and I can say it if someone woke me up in the middle of the night, my family could probably quote me because they've heard me say it over the past 10 years that I've been a virtual assistant, a trillion times. 

So here's what I say, "I'm a virtual assistant. I work with solo professionals, people who work on their own like business coaches, marketing, consultants, and financial planners. I help them with all the administrative work like updating their websites, setting up their newsletters, and helping them set up online courses." 

Now, let's break this down and I want to explain to you why I do it this way. Alright. I'm a virtual assistant. People know what that is. If I'm a part of a virtual partner or a virtual manager or virtual something else, people don't know what that is. So just you know a plumber, a lawyer, a virtual assistant just keep it really simple. Then I talk about who I work with. So I'm identifying and the people that I like to work with. I don't want to work with someone who works in a bank that wouldn't be a fit. I work with solo professionals, people who work on their own. 

Then, I tell them specific things that I do so here I've got setting up their newsletter, updating their website, and helping them set up online courses. I have a services page that is so long, but I don't want to tell them all of the things I just wanna tell them a couple or few actually three, that they'll be able to know what it means and they'll also be able to remember them and they might say, 'Oh, I need an email newsletter.' Right, so that could absolutely happen now. 

So you want to write this down practice it out loud so that it's very conversational. You don't want to do this, so let's say you're on a zoom meeting and everyone's going around and they're introducing themselves because it's a networking thing and you have to kind of like brace yourself, and then you recite this thing that you've memorized. It's just a little awkward. 

So instead, practice it so that you can say it like we're eating spaghetti. I'm a virtual assistant, You know easy. That's what I want you to do. So very important that you practice it and get it straight. 

Okay, everybody. Thank you for coming, before we leave I want to. Stop talking. I forgot that part got to stop and talk about that you want to stop talking as soon as you say this because after you've said this, you want to let them digest it. And then you just stop talking and they might have a question, they might not but either way, you've given them something clear and concise that they will be able to remember.  

So now I want to jump over here I have a free online classroom called. 'The Virtual Assistant Connection.' You can find us on Facebook. We have well over 9000 members and I would love for you to be a part of it so come on over join us. It's a wonderful community of people who are thinking about being a virtual assistant or have been a virtual assistant for a long time now, like me. I've been a VA for 10 years so come join us. There's lots of training and friendship and community, and we'd love to have you. I'm Belinda Wasser signing off until next time. Buh bye.