Learn to Use Informational Interviews
Mar 20, 2022
When you’re just starting out as a Virtual Assistant, it can be difficult to know where to find clients. You want people to know about your new business, but you don’t want to appear as if you’re selling yourself, being pushy or, worst of all, desperate.
One very effective and powerful way to get the word out in your target market is the informational interview, the topic of today’s blog.
An informational interview is a conversation with a fellow entrepreneur, usually your ideal client, where you introduce yourself and your Virtual Assistant services, in an informal (note: not casual) meeting and ask for feedback and advice on your business idea.
You’ll need to identify potential contacts for your interviews first. Look through your social networks and ask your friends and family if they know of anyone who might be willing to speak with you. You’ll be surprised how easy it is once you get going.
Once you have your list started, contact each person individually with a brief introduction of yourself explaining your background, goals and what you hope to gain through the meeting.
Once the meeting has been set, here’s how to begin the conversation:
Thank you for meeting with me. As a successful entrepreneur, I value your opinion and am eager to get your feedback on my new business. I really appreciate your taking time to talk to me.
Then you explain that you’re a Virtual Assistant, specializing in helping other entrepreneurs with (fill in the blank). You talk to them about your services, your pricing, your marketing ideas, the works. And then listen and take in their feedback.
Two wonderful things happen during these meetings. One: an ideal client of yours now knows, in depth, all about your business and how it works. Two: you get feedback from someone you would like to work with.
Keys to success for an informational interview:
- Keep it short. Don’t ask for or expect more than 20-30 minutes and make sure you’re the one keeping an eye on the time and ending on time.
- Be prepared. This is a great opportunity, so practice talking about your business, get clear about your pricing, speak about your services in an energetic way. Be careful not to dive too deep into details that will be confusing or overwhelming.
- Dress professionally. Whether this is a virtual meeting or in person, make sure you look the part. A nice professional top, accessories if you like to wear them, your hair neat and not stuck on the top of your head in a “get stuff done bun.” Dressing professionally is a sign of respect.
- Have questions ready. For example, after you explain what you’re offering, ask them what they think and does this idea make sense for someone in their industry. Note that we’re not putting them on the spot by asking for work from them specifically. Ask them about their work, and show genuine curiosity.
- Do not ask them to hire you or refer you, ever. The goal of the meeting is to understand how you might work with a person in their industry and build a relationship. The person will feel misled if you don’t follow through with the original intent of the meeting.
- Stay in touch. If you make a connection and would like to continue building the relationship, ask the person how they prefer to stay in touch. This is where having an email newsletter is great – you can ask them if you can add them to your subscriber list.
- Thank them. Send them a thank you email or handwritten note the same day, thanking them for their time. If you’ve promised them anything, like sending them an article or a link to something send that within 48 hours.
Feedback alert: Even though you will get lots of valuable feedback during these interviews, the feedback needs to go through the filter for the goals for your business. So please do not turn yourself upside down with every comment or thought. They are not experts in being a Virtual Assistant.
When I started my business, I had a series of informational interviews and it was a big success. Many of them became cheerleaders for me and helped spread the word. Some hired me and I’m still working with them today, 10 years later.
If you’re not already a member of our Facebook Group, The Virtual Assistant Connection, and would like to join, here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/
