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virtual assistant testimonials

VA 101: How to Get Outstanding Testimonials

You need strong testimonials in your virtual assistant business if you want to land more clients.

No matter how good your about page is or how enticing your offers are, nothing is going to say more about working with you than your clients own experiences.  

Your potential client is taking a the leap of faith and wants to know that they can trust you. Client testimonials prove that you can do what you say you’re going to do. It helps show that you’re reliable and trust worthy.

I’m sure you’ve made a purchase based on its reviews so I know you know where your client is coming from here. It’s called social proof and according to Dimensional Research “90% of respondents who recalled reading online reviews claimed that positive online reviews influenced buying decisions.”

It may sound a little overwhelming or feel a little intimidating in the very beginning, but getting great testimonials is really in your hands. It’s up to you to set yourself up to collect great testimonials right from the beginning. This is wonderful because you have the power to make them happen!

The first step in receiving fantastic virtual assistant testimonials is to provide an excellent client experience.

An exceptional client experience is about much more than getting your job done.

Before you agree to work with the client, make sure you’re a good fit. Ask a lot of questions and try to suss out if your working styles are compatible and if you can provide the services your client needs. If you sense they’re not fully on board with you, try to address their concerns right then and there, before there’s a problem.

Throughout your work together, check in with the client, give them updates and get feedback as you go. Save these emails, slack chats (or however you communicate) for later.

When to Ask for Feedback

Try not to wait or be shy about asking for a testimonial. (I’m guilty of this and I’m sure other introverts are too!) After you’ve completed a project your client is super happy with is the best time to ask for your testimonial. Sometimes this happens organically, but if you sense they’re impressed with your work, this is the time to act. You don’t just want to wait until you’ve completed your work together. You want to get with them on this while they’re in a good place. 

If you want to land more high-quality clients in your virtual assistant business, you'll need strong testimonials. This post helped me figure out how to get them + what specific questions to ask.

 

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How to collect testimonials

I’ve found that saving feedback is the easiest way to get testimonials.

As virtual assistants, we’re usually working with very busy peeps. Rather than asking your client to write you a testimonial from scratch, make it a simple “yes” or “no” for them.

Go through your emails and pull quotes from the best feedback you have from them. Then, put it together into a coherent testimonial (but still using their words).

After that, you can just send to them and ask for permission to use (and if they want to make any edits, of course).

This testimonial will be genuine, demand nothing of your client’s time, and usually makes everyone happy all around.

Don’t forget to also regularly do a search for kind words and shout-outs on social media about your business. I have a few clients who will occasionally do this via Facebook and it’s lovely.

Screenshot the posts (<—-I always forget this part, but try to remember!!), save the words in a spreadsheet, and you’ve got the perfect bite sized love notes to add to your site!

Client Surveys

Another fine way to get some feedback/testimonials is to create a survey and ask your clients to fill it out (with permission to share some or all their responses).

This can be a great way to get clients to comment on specific things they like about your business and working with you. Just don’t make this survey super long and all-encompassing.

As I mentioned above, clients are often swamped with too much on their plates as it is. They don’t want more homework.

Keep it to 2 to 3 questions. Give them the space to provide a long answer if they feel inspired, but that way there’s no pressure.

Lastly, feel free to just straight up ask for your testimonial. Maybe giving them a few questions as guidelines as well via email.

Here are a few sample questions for your survey or email:

  • What were you most worried about when hiring me as your new VA?
  • How has working with me as your VA changed your business?
  • What’s your favorite service that I provide and why?

What’s the best way you’ve found to get great virtual assistant testimonials?

Let us know in the comments!

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*I sometimes link to books, tools, and other things that I adore and may receive a small commission for it. Read my full disclosure here.

Comments

  1. Sharon NDiaye says

    February 24, 2019 at 7:59 am

    This is helpful! And definitely it’s our responsibility to get testimonials. Do you have a template we can send to our clients to help them write a testimonial that they don’t have to think too hard about? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Ali says

      March 24, 2019 at 5:12 pm

      Hi Sharon! Glad it was helpful. I don’t have one available, but I will try to get one added down the road. 🙂

      Reply

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  1. You Can Make Money From Your Couch By Becoming a - Your Optimized Solutions says:
    September 1, 2020 at 10:42 am

    […] channels. Ali the Happy VA, who blogs about working from home as a virtual assistant, suggests asking clients for feedback shortly after delivering a project so that your hard work is fresh in their minds. Having these testimonials available for prospective […]

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LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And LONG BEFORE I WAS A VA, I WAS AN ESTHETICIAN. And I thought it would be my "forever" career. Except for one tragic flaw. I could not do a Brazilian wax to save my life.😱 

This was 2005/2006 so that was a big deal.

If I could go back to that time, I’d have a few things to tell my young self that are probably important for any service provider. Things that might have helped prevent me from burning out, getting frustrated (and honestly scared I might get sued), and ultimately giving up completely. 

GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF NOW
As an esthetician, I’d planned to start my own business all along. But I told myself I needed to work in a spa or salon first, observe, and then I could do my own thing in, like, 5 years.

That was just not true.

Other estheticians skipped the traditional spa and salon jobs and went directly into working for themselves, renting out cute rooms in local buildings or even setting up mobile practices. They were able to offer exactly what they wanted to offer and decide on their own pricing.

** I am NOT saying “jump and the net will appear/quit your dayjob now without a plan” because I think that is terrible advice. I’m saying if you know, like I did, that you want to work for yourself eventually, you have what you need to get started and you don’t need to “learn the ropes” for years on end.**

DO THINGS YOU SUCK AT – BUT ONLY UP TO A POINT
Since I did not enjoy providing Brazilians, I sucked at them, and since I sucked at them, I did not enjoy providing them. I had no business providing such a personal service that I sucked at. Leave it for the estheticians who are great at them!

It is important to let yourself be bad at things and be a beginner, but at a certain point, if you're not into what you're trying to get good at anyway, I don't think it is going to work. 

DON’T DO THINGS YOU HATE
Even if that service is in high demand. This might seem like a “no duh” to you, but it really wasn’t to me in the beginning. 

Trends come and go but if you’re seeking ways to be of service in ways that feel good to you, you’ll find your people.

Those 3 lessons I think made me a better #virtualassistant.
Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige Last week I made myself a big batch of very beige soup. It tasted okay but made me sad to look at! It got me thinking again about this #joyfulbook by @aestheticsofjoy I read a couple of years ago... Vibrancy is a nutrient!

PS I should give Alex his props because he always plates our meals beautifully. I just want to step it up when I prep my own meals. 💗
Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying saf Toasting to the new year! Hope you are staying safe and cozy. We made it to the end of this crazy year!
Happy Monday and Election week! Been waiting 4 yea Happy Monday and Election week! Been waiting 4 years for this one.

I picked up this beautiful and well-organized #VisionaryJournal planner created by @starchasersonly a while back... but I just haven't been able to plan. But I don't know... I'm feeling optimistic? I may be ready to make some plans again. 

Also, I hope you all voted already or are going to tomorrow! I voted early on the first day I could.
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