4 Types of Difficult Clients + Is Fitting In Really Worth It? ??

Hello friends, Hannah here!

We have reached the last quarter of the year, where did the time go?! While I've been unwell for the best part of the last week, I've been daydreaming of buying some land and starting a permaculture garden, analyzing data about small towns and villages around the world as potential places to do so, and getting happily lost in my thoughts. It's interesting where your mind will take you when you allow it to follow what truly excites it, isn't it?

So, we started the month with a bang by hosting an awesome masterclass - read on to find out more and dig into the rest of this week’s hot topics!

In this newsletter:

?? What Media Wins Can You Land This Year?

?? The 4 Types of Difficult Clients & How to Manage Them

?? 3 Reasons Why YOU Should Be at Nomadness Fest 2023!

?? Food for Thought: It’s Better Not to Fit In!

?? Hannah's Random Stuff & Thoughts of the Week

?? What Media Wins Can You Land This Year?

Last week, I finally held a masterclass covering a topic I’ve wanted to share with you all for a long time: Getting in the media. I’m glad that this topic was of interest to so many of you because I had a lot to share. Thank you to everyone who joined in - it was fantastic to see you all!

I’ve been in the VA space for over 10 years. In that time, I have landed numerous press opportunities and seen the impact it’s had on my business - it was amazing to finally share my insights from these experiences. I'm already excited to see where your names start popping up: blogs, podcasts, or even television appearances. All of it is possible with the right strategy, and that strategy begins with ensuring that you are media-ready at all times so that no hot opportunities slip through your fingers.

If you couldn't join us last Tuesday but are still looking to land some dreamy media wins of your own, you are in luck! You can get the recording of the masterclass plus a handy workbook right now. Coming in at 90 minutes long, this is a must-have if you want a no-fluff, all-facts session you can put into action right away to start your successful media journey, no matter where you're at in business. It's also all stuff you could offer your clients and let me tell you, media management services are HOT and a big money maker!

Start your media quest with Media Mastery: A Framework to Build Trust, Influence, and Income ??

GET MEDIA SAVVY, THIS IS FOR ALL BUSINESS OWNERS!

?? Four Types of Difficult Clients & How to Manage Them

Despite our best efforts, we can't always find a middle ground with difficult clients. If it comes to a point where your emotional and mental toll outweighs any financial gain, it’s important to honor yourself and come to a peaceful parting of ways so that both you and your client can find a better fit.

That being said, let’s not throw in the towel at the first hiccup. When it comes to difficult clients, they tend to fall into four main archetypes (hybrids are possible). Let’s look at the best methods to deal with each of them.

??? The Micromanager: Having someone Breathing down your neck isn’t reserved for the office. This client watches your every move, and with their hands tightly on the reigns, they just never seem to give you the space to do what you do best.

How to save it: Try to schedule regular updates. Creating specific check-in points will give them the satisfaction of having the control they crave without dropping everything for an impromptu status report. Ease their anxieties by showing them exactly how you’re on the ball; those check-ins might become less frequent.

?? The Vague Visionary: “What exactly are we doing?” might be your go-to phrase with this client. Due to a lack of clarity in their direction, they move the goalpost often, snatching the rug out from under your feet with a drastic change of course, all while expecting perfect results from you. Yikes!

How to save it: Don’t hold back when it comes to using clarifying questions and confirmations to ensure you're on the same page. When in doubt, ask them to visualize the end result with you before starting any work to spare yourself wasted time and effort.

? The Last Minute Larry: The clock is ticking, and you’re on pins and needles, dreading every time a notification sounds, wondering if it’s a last-minute assignment being dropped in your lap. This client, who has difficulty respecting boundaries, always has an urgent task at the eleventh hour.

How to save it: Politely communicate your working hours and how much notice you require for Urgent tasks. Many VAs want to rush in and save the day but reserve that for a rare expectation when it matters. Consider implementing a rush or out-of-working-hours fee to set boundaries; it will inadvertently help your client to prioritize.

?? The Eternal skeptic: Uh-oh, it's not a good feeling when someone questions your every move. As a VA, you're a highly trained professional; it can be hard to endure a client continually undermining your expertise or questioning your hours or rate. This could stem from the client being overly paranoid, which sometimes comes up for entrepreneurs hiring for the first time.

How to save it: Transparency is your friend here; provide a detailed breakdown of your process, and if possible, offer evidence-based outcomes. Trust is earned, so build it step by step and watch how the tension and skepticism ease up. What these clients really want is reassurance.

Which of these clients have you come across? Let me know.

Boundaries and client experience are at the heart of salvaging a working relationship with difficult clients, but it’s also important to remember that it’s a two-way street. Clients have their eyes on the prize and won't know there's a problem if you aren't willing to communicate it.

Likewise, your boundaries can't be respected if you don’t respect your boundaries first. If you continuously cross your own boundaries, be it for the pay or out of people-pleasing tendencies, you could end up in difficult situations like these. It's always a good practice to ask yourself, “What was my role in getting here,” and take ownership of that role as you work towards a solution.

If you need help setting boundaries, check out our blog post: Setting Healthy Boundaries with Clients as a Virtual Assistant.

?? 3 Reasons Why YOU Should Be at Nomadness Fest 2023!

? Beautiful Location: This nomadic event pops up in different cities each year, and this time, it’s in gorgeous downtown Louisville, KY. Inspired by the city’s exponential growth over the last decade, Nomadness Fest promises to highlight and utilize some of the city's finest venues, including the Muhammad Ali Center, the 21C Contemporary Art Museum, and Paristown, where historic buildings meet Louisville’s newest entertainment venue.

? Important Themes: At the heart of this year's Fest is the theme of “Cultural + Conscious Travel.” We love the fun and perks of travel as much as the next, but this convention aims to remove the rose-colored glasses to give a holistic look at the nomadic lifestyle beyond what’s seen on social media and raise awareness around the impact that tourism has on native lands and local communities. Whether you travel long-term or prefer to take an annual vacation, you should hear these topics!

? Incredible Guests: Over 30 guests will be at Nomadness Fest, each bringing their own perspective on remote life, including the remote work queen herself, my good friend Libryia Jones, who will be taking up the mic for the "Hacks of Life" panel. Plus, I’ll be there too! I’m not presenting, but Nomadness Fest is a unique gathering of nomads and travelers that I don’t want to miss, so I’ll be there along with a group of VEA and DNK community members.

Three reasons not enough? Okay, fine… one more reason: you can get 30% off using the code "Libryia" at checkout on the second page - boom! Don’t miss out on all the festivities in Kentucky! Get your ticket and see you there: Nomadness Fest, Sept 28th – Oct 1st!

?? Food for Thought: It’s Better Not to Fit In!

If you’ve been following DNK for a while, you’ll know I’m a strong advocate for “Embracing Your Weird.” Not just for the sake of being ‘silly and quirky’ on the internet but because I built DNK to help people achieve the freedom and flexibility they deserve.

Freedom doesn’t just mean working remotely from a villa in Thailand (though that is epic!) It also means having the freedom to live authentically and show up authentically, whatever that may look like for you.

I have never fit in, and it’s my superpower.

It’s allowed me to connect with thousands of people worldwide who “get me” and resonate with experiences and perspectives. Entering the nomadic space 15 years ago, there were very few people who looked, thought, and operated the way I did, and both socially and professionally, it took a toll. When you don’t fit in, people will sometimes go out of their way to misunderstand you when their beliefs about what’s possible for them contradict what you are working toward for yourself.

But I kept going anyway, which I encourage all of you to do. Keep pushing forward authentically. Don’t force yourself to change or suppress who you are to fit in. People who bravely release themselves from societal pressures and take action toward the unimaginable are the people who set standards for what is extraordinary in this world.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but not fitting in can be incredibly lonely at times, but it's far more damaging and lonely to live pretending to be someone you’re not. So be your weird, wonderful self!

By being authentically you and living your life, you can inspire others to live by their own design. Go show the world what’s possible! Join the conversation over on 'the gram!

?? Hannah's Random Stuff & Thoughts of the Week

Here's the treasure trove of random but cool topics I have been diving into this week.

• You know how I mentioned the show Live to 100, by Dan Buettner the guy who studies longevity in Blue Zones? Well, I picked up a copy of the "Blue Zones Kitchen" and my kitchen has become a hotbed of healthy, hearty fare in recent days. I highly recommend it, it's packed with not just recipes but facts and photography that'll satisfy any traveler's heart!

• Apple-mania! Listen, I wasn't always an Apple girl. I reluctantly gave in two years ago and switched from Android to iPhone. I get it now. Apple made life that much easier, especially as I already used a Macbook. This week's live event showcased the new, fully carbon-neutral Apple Watch, and the new USB C iPhone 15 lineup. I'll most certainly be picking mine up once I land in Louisville for NomadNess. More impressively, the live event is a feat in itself and a great education in marketing by simply watching and taking note of how they present the features and benefits of their products. Watch it here.
• Simply a good read: If anxiety is in my brain, why is my heart pounding? A psychiatrist explains the neuroscience and physiology of fear.
• Sneaking this in here: Dates are set! My next free 5 Day VA Challenge, our signature free VA training week taken where over 30,000 have had their start, is happening on Oct 23-27 and you can already get registered ??

?? That's a Wrap

Cheers,

Hannah Dixon

P.S. Did you miss our Media Mastery session? Don’t worry - you can scoop up a recording of the masterclass along with an awesome workbook so you can start getting your name in the headlines. Media Mastery: A Framework to Build Trust, Influence, and Income - Get it Here!