Coming Out of the Virtual Closet

I’ve been working with clients virtually since 1999 as their VA/Online Biz Manager/Biz Coach, and while I’ve had the opportunity to meet a number of them face-to-face, there are so many more that I’ve never met in person.

Last week, a client I’ve worked with since 1999 or so, Executive Coach Barrie Zucal, www.globalcoaches.com, called me up to tell me that she was at a conference in Houston, realized that I lived fairly close to Houston, and wanted to get together over the weekend for lunch.  I gladly accepted.

Barrie and I met face-to-face at the Westchase Marriott and had a great lunch and lively conversation.  She kept remarking on how strange it was to see me and hear me speak at the same time..LOL

And, at this same conference, I had the opportunity to connect with someone I had met back in 2003 at the eWomen Network meeting in Houston, Adrienne Talani.  I had introduced Barrie and Adrienne at that point, as I thought they had things in common and should know each other.  It turned out to be a great match, as Barrie and Adrienne went on to write a series of award-winning articles. Whoever said that virtual partnerships never work???

Connecting with people all over the country and in different parts of the world are one of the things that I love about having a virtual, online business.  You’re not limited to you local geographic area for your clients, and can be introduced to so many new and different ways of doing things very easily.

I still know people who say that virtual relationships don’t work and that’s it’s very hard to develop rapport and trust with someone at a distance.  In my opinion, I find those relationships to be more real and genuine than many in-person relationships that I’ve had over the years.

What’s the difference?

I’ve developed the ability to size someone up in a very short period of time over a phone call and can tell right away how compatible we’ll be.  It’s taken a number of years of working virtually to develop this skill, but I’ve now got it down to a fine-honed craft. And, I’ve found that others who are interested in developing virtual relationships get right to the point and don’t waste much time–there’s less idle chit-chat.  The best part of virtual networking/relationship building is the fact that I don’t have to get dressed and drive anyplace–I’m beginning to value that especially in light of the high gas prices..:)