Showing Value as a VA

Quick mention: I initially wrote this as one long piece but decided to break it down into 2 parts so that it’s more digestible. I wanted to give you more time to act on the first core principles of ‘How’ and ‘What’. 

In Part 2 I will discuss Why, When and Who.

Part 1

Value is an interesting subject from a VA perspective. Naturally, when a client gives us work we want to make sure we are showing a benefit as it’s essentially our reputation on the line if we don’t. Unlike a large corporation, we don’t have the luxury of taking a client for a ride. We must at all times put our best foot forward. But then I ask, what ways do we show value in comparison to other services, systems or even internal employees? And why this is important for our clients to know? 

Important note: before I get started, I wanted to make a quick mention in discussing budget/ money. This should always be done as I would highly recommend getting comfortable with the concept. The best time to bring it up is once the client has verbally confirmed ‘yes we should work together’. 

Value definition (Oxford dictionary)

– the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

– principles or standards of behaviour; one’s judgement of what is important in life.

– consider (someone or something) to be important or beneficial; have a high opinion of.

How to show and measure value

Value is seen in many different ways but for a VA the most effective way we show it is with time. This is time saved on the client’s behalf completing a certain task or organising a current task to be more efficient. One key area VA’s are experts at is organisation and doing tasks in the most effective manner.

Projects are a great example of this, be it setting up a newsletter series, social media posts or organising emails. Because we have done these so many times and have mastered the process, the investment far outways the cost as the client can focus on other topics at hand. 

The easiest way you can measure this is by asking a client during the onboarding call or weekly catch up ‘By the way, just been wondering… With regards to xyz task, what amount of time has this saved you?’ Or ‘what else have you been able to complete…? 

Top Tip – make it part of the conversation and ask about other objectives they had to complete and you will know if your assistance helped. You can then quickly allow them to confirm or they may without you having to ask. It will also occasionally provide upsell opportunities into other tasks you can assist with. 

What ways you can remind them 

Now it’s great you have all this value stored up but how do you remind a client without coming across like you’re boasting? 

The simplest method I’ve found is a quarterly value check email. Here you will bullet point all of the tasks and objectives you’ve helped on and what it has allowed them to achieve. 

Note – you don’t have to do this, but personally if you want to create a long-lasting relationship I would highly recommend doing so. 

This is a very easy and beneficial task (once you have a template) to create a high opinion of yourself within the client’s mind. You can also use this opportunity to say how much you’ve enjoyed working with them and introduce perhaps other skills you have been mastering. Remember, no one is more likely to buy from you than someone who has bought before. 

Top tip – if you’re able to, ask the client what x projects helped generate revenue-wise for their company. I’m confident it will be a lot more than what they spent with you…

Why an email and not a call? Simple – If it isn’t in writing it never happened.

To be continued… 

You ever have one of those ideas, start writing and then all of sudden your page blows up?… 

As outlined above, I will go into more details on why, when and who in part 2.
If you have any questions on the above or would like to know more about what I do feel, free to reach me at oliver@olivera28.sg-host.com