This Is Why VAs Should Not Ignore Messages

Content Factory is a remote company which means there is no physical space where team members meet to collaborate and coordinate. We don’t have that. We all meet in a virtual office called cyberspace. Since all team members are fully remote, good communication is paramount.

What does good communication look like?

There is good communication when team members are responsive. When a team member sends a message (email, Basecamp, Skype, etc.), he doesn’t have to chase anyone to get a response. He gets a reply within the day.

It’s not because we’re impatient or demanding. It’s because we depend on other people to help us so that we can do our job. In a team, there are dependencies, always. There is no such thing as a Super VA who can do it all. We need each other to get things done.

Read: 8 Key Points Of Good Communication

Have you ever been ignored? Every one of us has experienced it for sure. How did it feel? I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you don’t like being ignored, don’t do it to other people.

Read: Ridding Excuses Through Open Communication

Imagine how I feel every time I need to chase a team member. I’ve been ignored so many times that I’ve lost count already. Why do you think I keep sending these messages and follow-ups? It’s not because I’m feeling important. It’s because we need to get things moving.

Read: Don’t make me chase you

Clients come to us because they trust us. If we don’t communicate well, we won’t deliver for sure. If we don’t deliver, we’ll lose our clients. We’ll get a bad reputation (well-deserved) and end up losing the company (where you work). Do you see the chain reaction? All these things are connected, so maybe now you can see why good communication is so important!

Read: The Importance of Lightweight Touches

It doesn’t take much time and effort to respond. So please, the next time you see a message from me or one of your team members, remember that it’s probably important and requires your response. Respond right away if you can, but if you can’t, make sure to respond within 24 hours, not three days after.

I wish to see a time when I won’t need to send anyone to this post anymore.

Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is co-author of the #1 best-selling book on Amazon in social media, The Definitive Guide to TikTok Ads.  He has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads across his agencies and agencies he advises. Mr. Yu is the "million jobs" guy-- on a mission to create one million jobs via hands-on social media training, partnering with universities and professional organizations.You can find him quoted in major publications and on television such as CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, and LA Times. Clients have included Nike, Red Bull, the Golden State Warriors, Ashley Furniture, Quiznos-- down to local service businesses like real estate agents and dentists. He's spoken at over 750 conferences in 20 countries, having flown over 6 million miles in the last 30 years to train up young adults and business owners. He speaks for free as long as the organization believes in the job-creation mission and covers business class travel.You can find him hiking tall mountains, eating chicken wings, and taking Kaqun oxygen baths-- likely in a city near you.