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Thinking Virtually

Working in a virtual environment takes a different thought process than the standard brick and mortar business. When your business can exist anywhere in the world, how do you talk to your potential clients?

If you work in Los Angeles, and your potential client contacts you from New York, you can’t meet for coffee the next morning.

If you work in Chicago, and your potential client contacts you from Singapore, even talking on the phone can be a challenging experience.

Thinking virtual means overcoming time and location issues. How do you treat your potential client the same as your next-door neighbor, even if they are half way around the world?

Begin with the phone. When a potential client calls, refer them to your portfolio on your website. Consider the following voice mail message:

Hi, you’ve reached ABC Photography. Our portraits are as unique as our clients themselves. Each photograph is designed to show the true personality of the client we are working with – which takes time. Currently we are creating an original work of art with another client, but your call is important to us. You can start your experience with our company by visiting our online portfolio at www.ABCPhotography.com. There you will find a wealth of information and hundreds of photographs. We also want to speak with you further. Feel free to fill out our online request form for more information, or leave a message, and we’ll get back with you shortly.

Nowhere in that message does it mention coming in to a studio location. Nor does it say anything about meeting to look at photographs. Instead it directs a potential client to a website for more information. That website exists anywhere in the world. That is the key to being virtual.

On the phone or in email, you must eliminate references to meeting in person. Treat every contact you make as if they are from another country, and it’s impossible to meet with them in person in the near future.