Top-Rated Among Home Based Business Opportunities

What is one of the fastest growing, in-demand
home based business opportunities as we
move into 2009?

Find out by clicking link below. And please
do read Lisa Taliga's article reprinted below
with her permission.

#1 Home Based Business Opportunity!

As a Virtual Assistant, Who Is Your Ideal Client?

by Lisa Taliga

Do ideal clients really exist or are they a myth?
Let me assure you, there ARE ideal clients out there.
You just need to know what your definition of one is.

Since I started my home-based business, I've had
ideal clients and others that weren't so great. Believe
me, your clients will influence how you feel about your
business on a day-to-day level, so you should aspire
to get this right.

So first of all, do you have an idea of who your ideal
clients are? Because if you don't really know, how
are you going to find them?

Draw up an ideal client profile. Start by looking back
at former bosses and work colleagues you've worked with.
You remember that boss or colleague you really got on
well with.

Why did you enjoy working with them? How about
that boss that used to make you dread going into work?
What traits did they have that rubbed you up the
wrong way?

You might realise that you prefer working with people
who are hands-off and let you get on with things.
Or maybe you prefer those who want to get more involved.

When you go into business for yourself, you no longer
have to put up with people whose personalities clash with
yours.

Here are some characteristics that are common to all ideal
client profiles (I work as a Virtual Assistant, but you
can apply most of these principles to ANY home-based business):

Willing and able to pay on time

Let's face it, if your clients are continually late paying
their bills or indeed cannot really afford your services,
they aren't ideal clients.

Understands that you are a peer, not their employee

If your clients think you're their employee, they'll treat
you like one. That's not why you went into business.
Your ideal client will respect you and your skills, and
treat you as an equal.

Is forthcoming and timely with information

This ties in with the point above. Your ideal client will
understand that you need certain information on time
in order to do your job well.

They won't routinely withhold information until the last
minute and then expect you to meet an almost impossible
deadline!

Ethical and professional

This really goes without saying! There are plenty of shady
characters around in the business world. If someone is
operating a business that doesn't seem above board,
stay well clear.

Comfortable working virtually

If you're a Virtual Assistant, your ideal clients must
be at ease with working virtually. The very nature
of your business is that you perform work from a
distance, therefore your clients must be comfortable
with 'letting go.'

They must have confidence that even though you
are not there physically, the job will get done well and
on time.

At ease with technology

They don't have to be technology gurus, but a functional
understanding of the basics is important if you're going
to have a smooth running relationship.

If you're going to be communicating mainly by email,
they need to have a good understanding of that medium.

Communicates clearly

It's vitally important that your clients can communicate
their expectations and deadlines clearly. A very clear
explanation of what they want you to achieve for them
is fundamental. You'll also want to work with people who
give you honest feedback about what's going well and
what isn't.

Seem like a tall order? Not at all. I have found many
ideal clients using the benchmarks above.

Once you've thought about your ideal client's qualities
and characteristics, ask yourself other specifics such as:

- What industries are they working in?

- Where are they located?

- What kind of services do they require?

Again, look back over jobs you've had in the past.
What fields interest you?

Would you prefer to work with people who are
based in your home town and/or overseas?

Your ideal client wants the kind of services you provide.
Think about what you like to do. Do you enjoy organizing
events?

Do you like research? Do you like writing? What about
designing flyers and newsletters? Do you like typing,
editing and formatting documents?

Do you see how valuable a specific client profile can be?
It'll help you to create a business that you enjoy, not
just another job.

When talking to prospective clients, you'll soon be able
to decide whether they are right for you or not. Remember,
it's not just about who wants to use your services, it's
whether you feel comfortable about working with them.

The higher your client 'scores' against the profile you've
defined, the more chance you have of building a mutually
beneficial long-term business relationship.

Will you ever find your ideal clients? Yes, of course you
will. If the list you've drawn up seems daunting, don't
let it overwhelm you.

You're far more likely to build a business that you love,
if you go out into the world with a sense of who your
ideal client is.

And if you are already established and working from home,
it is never too late to refocus your client base and turn
your business into the one you dreamed of.

Lisa Taliga is a Virtual Assistant and author of
'Freelance from Home! The 5 Key Steps to Your
Successful Virtual Assistant Business' and
‘The 7 Things You Must Know Before Starting
Your Successful Virtual Assistant Business’.

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#1 Home Based Business Opportunity!