5 Requests a Client Should Not Ask of a Virtual Assistant

It goes without saying that lying is unethical and immoral. Eventually, the truth will be told. If you must be untruthful, do not involve your virtual assistant in your misdeeds. Do not ask your virtual assistant to fudge any numbers, reword documents with falsehoods or use a different name if she is to make calls for you.

Do not ask your VA to post positive comments on a blog about you or your business if your customers or employees have posted negative comments with the intention of marring your reputation. Take care of the problem yourself.

Do not ask your VA to lower her rate. If you are committed to paying a specified rate for a specified period of time, find a way to meet that commitment. Negotiating rates with a virtual assistant after the contract has been signed is bad business practice and shows disrespect for the virtual assistant’s value. If you find you are unable to pay for your virtual assistant at the rate agreed upon, give the virtual assistant 30 days notice of your decision.

Do not send work to your virtual assistant before the upcoming monthly retainer has been paid. In most cases, the virtual assistant will bill on a timely basis allowing for the retainer payment to be paid in a seamless manner for work to continue. However, if you have received this invoice but have not paid this bill, do not forward work expecting this to be completed before payment has been received.

Do not ask a virtual assistant to use unsolicited email addresses for unsolicited email. Although this is not illegal, personally, I feel this is a waste of your money and your virtual assistant’s time. No one likes to receive unsolicited email. This is spam. Do the right thing… for your business and your reputation and realize email addresses for your prospects in a double opt-in, organic manner.