When you’re a Virtual Assistant, you’re a business owner, not an employee. That means you get to pick and choose who you work with.
One way to determine whether a client is the right fit is to do a discovery call.
During the call you’ll ask questions and get to know one another. You’ll also keep an eye out for red flags so that you don’t say yes to the wrong person.
In this post, we’ll cover 6 client red flags to watch for on your discovery calls so you know what to look for.
Client Red Flag #1: Hair on Fire
There’s nothing wrong with a business owner realizing they’re overwhelmed and need support. That’s one of the reasons Virtual Assistants exist!
The red flag is when urgency appears to be their normal way of operating.
If everything is an emergency before you’ve even started working together, there’s a good chance everything will continue to be an emergency once you’re their Virtual Assistant.
Ask yourself whether that’s the kind of working environment you want.
Client Red Flag #2: They Want Someone to Save Them
There’s a big difference between “My business is growing and I need someone to help me manage these tasks” and “My business is falling apart and I need you to fix it.”
A client should be hiring you to support their business, not save it.
This can show up in different ways. Their business could be struggling financially and they’re convinced hiring you will finally turn everything around. Or their systems are a complete mess and they expect you to magically organize the entire business in a week.Â
Listen carefully to what they’re expecting from you.
You can absolutely help a client improve things. But you shouldn’t be carrying responsibility for whether their entire business succeeds or fails.
That’s way too much pressure to put on a Virtual Assistant.
Client Red Flag #3: They Want a Cheaper Price
If you’ve told someone your rate and they immediately push you to lower it, add more work for the same price, or ask for a special deal, pay attention.
Also watch out for lines like, “I can’t pay you, but you’d gain priceless experience,” or “My business isn’t making enough to pay you at this time, but maybe in the future.”
Nope. You’re not running a charity. You’re running a business.
The way someone treats your boundaries before becoming a client can tell you a lot about how they’ll treat them afterward.
Decide how you handle your pricing and payments ahead of time so you aren’t put on the spot when talking to a potential client. And then stick to your prices.
Client Red Flag #4: Trash Talking a Previous Virtual Assistant
A potential client who tells you about a bad experience with a previous VA isn’t necessarily a red flag. The truth is, there are some VAs out there who don’t follow through, disappear without warning, or take on more work than they can realistically handle.
But there are also clients out there who have unrealistic expectations, don’t answer questions in a timely fashion, and ghost their VAs.
Ask yourself, “Is this client giving a tip or waving a red flag?”
If the client had a VA who ghosted them but has no other red flags, that could be a tip that they need a VA who communicates exceptionally well because they’ve been burned in the past.
If the client says every VA they’ve worked with was the problem, that’s a red flag.
Trash talking one VA after another, blaming everyone else for things going wrong, or speaking disrespectfully about people they’ve hired are all red flags to listen to closely.
There’s a difference between “Here’s what happened with my last VA and why the relationship didn’t work” and “Every VA I’ve ever hired has been terrible.”
Client Red Flag #5: Something Feels Scammy or Too Good to be True
Be on the lookout for anything that is weird or sounds too good to be true.
Maybe they don’t show up for the discovery call but email you later saying they want to hire you. Or they suddenly want something completely different from the services they originally contacted you about. Or they insist that you accept payment through a specific platform instead of using your normal payment process.
Another red flag is that they are strangely unconcerned about the normal things a legitimate client would want to discuss. For example, they don’t want a discovery call, don’t care about signing a contract, barely ask about your services, and yet they’re eager to send you money.
One unusual request doesn’t automatically mean someone is trying to scam you. A legitimate client may use a different payment platform than you do or have a different way of doing business.
But they shouldn’t be dictating how you run your Virtual Assistant business, and you shouldn’t abandon the processes you’ve put in place because a stranger on the internet tells you to.
If something doesn’t add up, don’t let the excitement of landing a new client override that feeling. Stop and investigate before giving them personal information, accepting money, clicking links, or agreeing to anything.
To learn more, check out the blog post I wrote about scams targeting Virtual Assistants.Â
Client Red Flag #6: Your Gut Says No
Lastly, if something about the potential client makes you hesitate, pay attention to that feeling. Even if you can’t quite put a finger on it.
The client may seem wonderful, but the job might not be the right fit. Or something just doesn’t add up. Or you get a stomach ache every time you think about working with them.
You don’t need to build a court case proving that someone would be a terrible client before you’re allowed to turn them down.
You get to decide who you work with so don’t push away any intuitive feelings that don’t make sense. Your gut won’t steer you wrong.
Client Red Flags Are Information You Need to Pay Attention To
Choosing the right clients can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy being a Virtual Assistant.
Pay attention during those early conversations. Listen to what potential clients say, ask plenty of questions, and notice how you feel about working with them.
And if your gut is telling you no, it’s okay to say no. There will be other clients.
If you need more help with your business boundaries, creating your processes, or growing your Virtual Assistant business, check out my membership the Introvert VA Club. We have everything you need, including a supportive community!
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