So I went to a shoe store yesterday to pick up some particularly fierce boots (no fun trying on shoes with a broken toe, but pain be damned – these are hot!) and noticed something odd about the sales staff.

The two gals who were working there were both dressed like they had just rolled out of bed.   Hoodies, t-shirts, plaid and nasty shoes that looked like slippers.

At 41, I’m hardly old-fashioned, but I feel that people should show some respect for their customers but at least dressing appropriately.   This was not a boutique by any stretch of the imagination, but hoodies? Seriously?

As a Virtual Assistant, the way that you dress means squat.  But the way you show pride in your work does.  A great website, real and helpful engagement via social media, and maintaining your dignity at all times is essential in order to build trust with your target market.  They really don’t care if you are in sweats and nasty slippers at home, but they DO care about the image you project for yourself, and by extension them (your potential clients), in your online dealings.

So invest in a great website.  Be careful in how you post on Facebook and Twitter.  Be professional in your dealings with both potential clients and potential colleagues (learned that the hard way – but that’s a different post!).

YOU are the business – just leave the hoodies for home