Are you involved in serving others in cyberspace?  Or perhaps you are the recipient of virtual services. Maybe you have done both at some time or another.

At this point in the evolution of cyberspace, it is actually quite common to have a business relationship with someone you may never meet “ITRW” (in the real world).

What’s prompting me bring up this matter is a comment I recently saw on LinkedIn in which someone mentioned a post he thought was fake. He went on to say he would never do business with someone he hadn’t met in person.

There was a time that I felt the same way. However, since 2010, I have spent a lot of time on the internet in general and social media in particular. This experience has caused me to change my point of view.

A few examples:

• A Georgia-based woman I met on LinkedIn designed my logo. She and I have never met in person.
• When I was looking for a web designer, a LinkedIn contact recommended someone she knew through LinkedIn. Though the web designer is in the Denver area, I would have used her services if she didn’t live here.

Though most of my clients live here in the Denver area, I have served clients in all parts of the United States. I even have had a couple clients from Canada.

 

Tips for Selecting and Using a Long Distance Service Provider

• Once you have identified a potential service provider, contact them. You might use their website contact form or send an email. Or perhaps you will reach them through their Facebook business page, or via LinkedIn.
• Once you get a response, suggest a phone conversation. Even if you don’t ever meet in person, you can learn a lot about someone in a phone call.
• Meanwhile, research them via their website, YouTube channel, social media sites, and any other ways that come to mind. Suppose you see they are connected with people you know on LinkedIn. Reach out to one of those people and ask for their thoughts.
• Ask plenty of questions so both of you are clear about the nature of the service relationship.
• Be sure to get information about rates and terms of service in writing.
• You might be displeased with the service you received and/or have suggestions for ways it could be improved. If so, tell the service provider via an email and/or a phone call. I made changes in the way I follow-up with my own clients after tutoring sessions based on the recommendations of a client.
• Be courteous and pay for the service promptly. Do this whether it involves sending a check (yes, people still do this), making a PayPal payment, or paying electronically in some other way.

 

How About You?

Have you provided services to or received services from someone you haven’t met in person? What advice would you offer about establishing and refining cyberspace-based business relationships?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more comfortable using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.

She works with business owners, business development professionals, leaders of nonprofit organizations, job seekers, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.