On the way back from BlogWorld at the beginning of this month, I took a little detour from my trip back to the Philippines and stopped by to say ‘Hi’ to all the lovely people in San Diego, staying four nights to enjoy a little down-time with my wife. We hit the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld (with my buddy, Pat Flynn and his family) and Macy’s for a brand new suitcase as my other decided to die the day before we were due to leave!
Our time in San Diego was awesome. The place is fantastic, and we’ll definitely be going back again in the future. There was one thing that made it all the more sweet, however.
As my wife and I were enjoying a late breakfast, before checking out, I had an email come in from my assistant back in the Philippines. She was confirming a consultation call with a Virtual Staff Finder client – in 30mins. Bad timing? A little… But, it was better to take care of the call now, I thought, before hitting the ‘road’, as I would be keeping my client waiting for at least a few days whilst I traveled and got re-acquainted with the Philippines time-zone.
I Don’t Pay for WiFi!
Being the tight bastard that I am, I don’t pay for wifi. Anywhere. I think that in this day and age, to even attempt to charge for it is nothing short of taking the piss, quite frankly. And at my hotel, they were attempting to charge me for in-room wifi. However, I was told that there was free wifi in the hotel lobby. Great!
I escorted my wife back to the room so she could finish the packing (as all good wives do!), and headed back down to the lobby with my MacBook Air and a pair of earbuds!
The call with my client was going by as normal. Simple questions at first, then getting a little more in-depth. Advice needed on how much to pay their virtual assistants, how to work with them properly, and whether the time differences would cause any issues, etc., etc. It was around half way through the 30min consultation that I noticed another hotel guest sitting across from me, using the free wifi, too. “I’m not the only cheap bastard staying here..!”, I thought to myself.
Why Eavesdropping is a Good Thing!
As I continued my chat, I noticed that my side of the conversation had gotten the attention of my freebie wifi buddy, sitting across from me. He was intently listening in on the advice I was giving my client, and quite frankly, I wasn’t bothered about it.
As with most people that I meet, not many of them know that much about virtual assistants and how they can help you run, support and grow your business, so I’m happy to educate whenever possible, if it means I help another had-working entrepreneur.
When I was done with my client call, I sent a quick email to my project manager, Stephanie, on the call notes, attaching a recording of the call, as I do with all my consultations (so she can go back and listen to it, if need be), and started to shut down my laptop. At this point, the other hotel guest reached out his hand and introduced himself as Mike, a business owner from LA, who was in town for a conference.
The Elevator Pitch!
After subjecting him to my 20-sec elevator pitch (which is perfected, trust me!) and a couple more minutes of general chit-chat he admitted listening in on my conversation, apologizing at the same time. No problems, I told him, and asked if there was anything in particular that pricked his ears up in the first place. He said that he liked the idea of having someone do the ‘shit work’ (his words, not mine!), that he hated doing everyday. As we all know, virtual assistants can do that stuff (along with other things, too!). 
Ten more minutes goes by, I explain that we’re leaving soon and that I’ve got to go up to the room to make sure that the wife hasn’t stuffed the hotel bathrobes into our suitcase, along with other stuff that should stay in our room when we leave – he laughs – and asks one more, conversation-defining question.
“So, how much does it cost to use your service, then…?”.
BHAM!
I answered, gave him my card and told him to email or tweet me with any other questions that he might have. Here’s the thing… Because he had been a nosey so-and-so and listened in on my call, he already had all the answers to his questions.
By the time I had jumped in the taxi, got to the airport, checked in and was waiting for my flight to LA, I had a Paypal notification come through on my iPhone for $350. Nice.
Lessons Learned
Know your elevator pitch off by heart.
Never be shy, or scared to chat with strangers about ‘business’.
And above and beyond everything else – NEVER pay for wifi.
What do you think, should you have to pay for wifi? Anywhere? Have you any cool business stories like this to share? If so, go for it… below!
A serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author, Chris helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing. 
Chris is a serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author who helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing.
{ 74 comments… read them below or add one }
Balla! Love the inside looks Chris. Funny stuff. Glad you love San Diego too!! Makes me proud.
Sure did, dude.
Was great – clear blue sky every day, but one, where it rained for a few hours – hit Hooters that afternoon, so not that much of a loss after all…!!!
C
Haha, a beautiful story! BTW…does ‘the wife’ read your blog posts?
Hi Andre
Of course she reads it! (she better!!!).
She knows I’m only joking – trust me… after all the years we’ve been together – she KNOWS me!
C
Great stuff, goes to show you don’t need to pay for faculties and you can still get business done while your on vacation. Just need to play it clever.
Hi Buddy!
Actually, I pretty much ALWAYS try and incorporate a little business into my trips, regardless. It just makes everything that more worthwhile.
This was being in the right place at the right time… Loved it.
C
I don’t pay for wi-fi either. I don’t understand why cheaper hotel rates will include free wi-fi, but if you’re staying at the Mandarin Oriental and paying $350+ a night, you have to pay extra.
Great story of sealing the deal there!
Hi benny
Glad you feel the same on wifi – madness to pay for it.
Thats what its all about, my man… sealing the deal.
Love it… Hustle.
C
What a great post…knowing exactly what you do, how you can help (sometimes people just know their “pain” but have no idea how to alleve it), and seizing the moment…
Being able to solve a problem is the OLDEST sales mission in the world…
VSF does that.
Saying that, its the ‘seizing the moment’ stuff that separates the boys from the men…….!
C
There you go, Chris. Paying for WiFi (especially at a high-end hotel) is straight bullshit. the Marco Polo here in Davao charges for that and it’s more than a little annoying. It sucks that I can go to the pool bar, spend 2,000 – 3,000 in a couple of hours on a few drinks or food and then they want to charge me another 500 for WiFi or else I’m stuck using the cell network…so lame.
To the main point of the article, I like it. I was watching a Derren Brown (UK magician) show on the power of luck recently. The point of the program was to be open to new opportunities is how you find yourself in more “lucky” situations. The counterpoint was a guy who felt unlucky and wasn’t open to ANY new experiences or opportunities even when shoved in his face!
Hi Justin
I hear ya on the MP. They do the same here… Unless you know the management, that is……!!
I love a bit of LUCK and have always attributed a certain amount of ‘any’ success to it. Its simply the way the world works.
Thanks for dropping by.
C
Great story, Chris!
I’m prepared to say that proximity helps to create luck, and there are things that we (ok mostly Dan Andrews!) are doing online to systematize ‘virtual proximity’ that accelerates what would otherwise remain an organic, slow process.
Along those lines, hi to all my DC homies in the comments!
Hi Tim
Dan is a freak – indeed, but we can all learn from what he does, and the way he ‘does it’. What exactly DOES he do…….? Anyway….?!
Seriously, though – you’re right, the proximity thing is value in the hand, so to speak. Virtually, or in person… get it in place and there’s not much you ‘cant’ do…
Welcome to the VBL Tribe, my man!
C
That’s awesome dude – great story (I always tell people that they should share more stories – and this is a perfect example of why. I read the entire post word for word and I don’t do that very often, lol), and an even better ending. I hope you and the fam come back to San Diego again soon bro, I had a blast! Cheers!
Hey, bro.
We will absolutely be back… without a doubt. We thoroughly enjoyed SD. Was great fun hangin’ with The Flynn’s.
Glad you enjoyed the post.
C
PS. I bet I have more ‘speakers’ in my house, than yours!!! Sorry, everyone – personal joke!
Free wifi FTW!! \m/ Awesome story man. Just goes to show that a business could work for you wherever you are in the world!
Absolutely, Miggy.
After all, we live and work in a global economy nowadays, right…?!!
Glad you enjoyed the post.
C
“I escorted my wife back to the room so she could finish the packing (as all good wives do!)” Not cool man. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed your story
Hi Elisa
I knew I would get a little flack for that one!!! But, hey – people who know me, thats just my strange, British sense of humor.
FACT – I do all the packing… well, most of it!
Thanks for dropping by.
C
All in good fun Chris – I had to speak up as the wife in the group! I’ve been reading your stuff for a while now, so I’ve picked up on the fact that you’re a super nice guy
Always glad to see you doing well.
Thanks, Elisa…
Just checked out your intro video on your blog… Loved your calm demeanor – need more of that online!
C
Thanks Chris!! I appreciate your feedback very much. My videos are a work in progress for sure! lol
Better to be ‘working’ than not…!
If you don’t try, you’ll never know – plus, you come across as a natural – just keep doing them!
C
I enjoy eavesdropping cuz I learn so much. I can’t distinctly say I’ve landed a contract thru eavesdropping but I know I’ve bought or rented or used something cuz of what I heard.
The whole wifi for a fee thing is so strange in today’s connected world. But the traveler often over the barrel for this cuz the can’t always use their cell data plan away from home. I have a much simpler solution, only stay in hotels with free wifi. Of course they won’t be 4 or 5 star hotels with all the swank. But most of the time I need the hotel room for about 8 hrs of sleep and a shower. Most of the time the amenities are completely wasted on me.
Thanks again Chris for once again sharIng the down and dirty of the virtual lifestyle/business.
Hey Paul
I hear ya on the ‘only stay at hotels with free wifi’… And I do a lot of the time. But, this time around I wanted this particular hotel as I had heard very nice things about it, and I got a great deal on a suite, too!!!
Appreciate that you enjoyed the story, my man – thanks for the comment.
C
There is a big and here also Chris, that is to have your elevator pitch dialed too.
Being the lazy ars that I am, traveling in the USA I have an air card so that the hotels can piss off on the extra wifi charges. Now you are making me rethink that just maybe I should give it back and use the free stuff and just maybe get lucky also.
Or use my hot spot and tell anyone in the lobby that they can hitch hike off of my services while I am in the lobby.
Hummmm, thinking this through.
More than all of that, great idea. Thank YOU.
Thom!
Long time, no see, buddy – I hope all is good with you…
Hey – you smile, no doubt – but, allowing people to connect to your MiFi, or personal hotspot is a GREAT idea. The perfect ice breaker. But, I wouldn’t do it for just ‘anyone’. I have offered this to a few people at Starbucks here in the Philippines (where they charge for wifi, also – scandalous, isnt it!), and have encountered some great people and winning conversations.
Happy that you popped by and commented – thanks, man.
C
these real deal stories are my favorite! good stuff!
we should also make a site to identify these a-hole companies charging for wifi….though in china its getting MORE common rather than less….sigh…
Hey Michael
I hear ya – how long have you been based in China, dude…?!
Could be visiting in Q1 next year!
C
nice man, yea been in China 4 years…with about a 6 month deal in Philippines last summer. I’m down in South china, Shenzhen city – where in China do you plan to go?
Lets touch base – would be great to grab a dinner / drink
No sure yet – will let you know, for sure, though.
4 years is a decent time in any country – you must like it there… And the next time you’re in the Philippines – dude, let me know!!!!!
C
Sounds like an Ebook in the making? “How to perfect your 20 second elevator pitch”
Nice one Chris.
Ha… Not a bad idea – although, I believe there must be one or 10 of them out there already, surely……?!!!
Thanks for dropping by.
C
Paying for wifi is about as frustrating as paying for a bathroom… Which is the case in some touristy spots in Lima, Peru… I also refused to pay based on principle alone even though it was the equivalent of about 15 cents US. I held it long enough to make it out of the touristy area to find a free bathroom.
Yes. Every conversation is an opportunity to do business. I cannot tell you how many clients i have landed by striking up conversations with strangers at the pub, the gym, a wedding, the list goes on… When you work in the all encompassing industry of the wicked world of online damn near everyone could use your services. True story.
Great post, Chris!
Hey Skip!
Dude…… 15cents, though. HAHAHA. That’s hilarious…… LOL.
Thanks for the comment and putting a smile on my face first thing in the morning!
C
Love it ! lol Business is business, and it’s good to always have your elevator speach ready to go ! :p
In France too, some places continue to think it’s a good (greedy?) idea to have their customers paying for wifi. Such a pain in the a**. But well, as sure as it is, there is always a free option around there !
Keep up the good work, this one is inspiring as “there is always room to close another deal… so stay sharp ! :p”
Hi Harold
Greed is the world, my man. Bang on!
There are plenty of freebie wifi spots in every major city in the world… I dont understand why people / establishments are happy to come across as greedy, just to make a few extra bucks here and there. Oh well, its the way of the world………..
Thanks for dropping by, bud.
C
My pleasure ! :p Love your site and your show. Have a nice break but I wish you’ll come back soon !
I will do, my man…
Promise!
I must have stayed in about 20 different hotels this year and it always seems to be the more expensive ones that want to charge for wifi in the room.
I was using free wifi in hotel bar in a $200 a night hotel in Minsk a couple of months ago and made eye contact with a girl who was obviously working (but not for the hotel), she thought customer and offered “massage” $200 an hour!! I politely declined and didn’t dare look away from screen again!
Yes, the more high-end hotels are the ones that think they can take the piss – correct.
Now I’m not quite sure which story I like the most – yours, or mine!!!!
Eyes. On. Computer………………
C
Hi Chris
The guy didn’t stand a chance!
When I go in to see third parties with a client – a bank or a potential investor, I always try to make sure that
1. The people we are seeing know I have a blog
2. That I am an expert in my field (in this case normally M&A and Fund Raising for Technology Companies); and
3. At an appropriate juncture I would like a follow up meeting or call to – and this is the important bit – learn more about his business, approach and requirements.
I find that this helps to grow my network. When the deal is closed or he has stepped away with the opportunity, I try to follow up with a meeting or a call.
The lesson – never miss a chance to expand your network
Have a great day
John
Hi John
Love the way you started your comment!
You are a pro, I can tell – that strategy is set in stone, no doubt and it also works, no doubt, too. Good for you.
Too many ‘pros’ just walk in, pitch and then forget about the follow up. The days of the one call close are gone (for all intensive purposes), we live in a world where relationships work to our advantage a lot more than ever before.
Keep rockin’ out, my man.
C
Ha! Jammy
Cool story Chris, thanks for sharing.
Hi Michelle
Long time, no see… Hope you’ve been well.
Jammy – not at all…!!!
C
Hi Chris, nice story ! San Diego seems to be a nice place…..Philippines also
Thanks for the feedback you gave me yesterday. You are a really fast responder, your “3 sentences strategy” makes it possible. Enjoy….
Hi Michael
No problems, buddy – more than happy to help.
I batch my replies, emails, comments, etc., into TWO times a day. Plus, My 3 Sentence Rule does help, for sure!!!
Cheers,
C
Wow, talk about being in the right place at the right time…great story. But NEVER pay for wifi, really?? I need your pointers…
C’mon, Maris….!
Are you STILL paying for wifi…..??!!! It’s madness to do so.
EVERYONE – STOP DOING THAT!
Go to the iTunes Store, search for an App called ‘Free WiFi’… its awesome. No matter where you are in the world, it’ll point out free wifi hotspots to you… And you can even download the database and see where wifi spots are when planning a trip!
Thanks for the comment, Maris!
C
Ha Ha Chris. First time I visit your blog and you crack me up. Now back to the point – what do I get for my $350?
Dave
Hi David
Glad I could put a smile on your face…
For $350, I’ll do practically ANYTHING!!! LOL
Welcome to the VBL Tribe…
C
Chris
My friend you have a way with words to describe exactly the situation that many business travelers find themselves in. That $350 is just a deposit I presume, so the value of that eavesdropper is likely mulitples of that, no?
Hi Karl
Actually, the $350 is for a sign-up on Virtual Staff Finder, to find a VA. But, around 50% of my clients on this particular service, once getting going with a VA , will come back again (and sometimes again!) to find more staff…
Then there is the roll-on effect of doing more business with me as a consultant, or working with my other companies. I never, EVER look at working with ANY of my clients as a simple ‘one off’ experience… So yes, it was a deposit, of sorts!!!
Happy to see you appreciated the message behind the post.
C
Wow Chris,
Elevator pitch… love the term!
As a little side note… I recently went overseas and stayed in several places which included London, Brighton, Madrid, Barcelona and Paris…
I had to pay in the UK at least 5 pounds a day from the shittiest WIFI connection ever (the hotel WIFI was 10 pounds a day) while they claimed there was “free” WIFI at the lobby.
This never worked and I was the only idiot trying to get access there lol
It was funny that I stayed practically in a shit hole in Paris and had free internet right in my room.
I stayed at a pretty cool decent hotel in Madrid and another not so great in Barcelona but both offered free WiFi access too.
My conclusion… the UK SUCKS in terms of WiFi access, there I said it.
Sergio
Hahahaha…
Love this comment.
As for the UK – I don’t live there anymore, so take absolutely no offense, buddy!
Nice to see you traveling around to so many places. Are you going to blog about them? Any video…?
C
Hey Chris,
Yeah man absolutely!
I am trying to save them until I learn some basic video editing but sharing the footage is definitely on my upcoming plans.
I got to record bits everywhere including climbing the Eiffel tower on the stairs to the 2nd level, walking below the Arc of Triumph, jogging on London Parks, I even recorded a soccer goal from Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu!
I’ll tell you when I upload something in case you want to watch a mexican trying to understand Europe for the first time… lol
Take care and have a great start of week Chris!
Sergio
“A Mexican in Europe” – sounds like a new movie could be in the works…!
Thanks for giving me a chuckle, buddy. And, that footage sounds like a lot of fun…
C
Chris,
Thanks so much for this. Made my Sunday morning coffee a little more enjoyable. I love the fact that you did not get jaded by the person listening in and instead took it to your advantage and ran with it. By the end you were on the receiving end! VERY GOOD STORY!
Hi Jonathan
The thing was that I wasn’t really giving away the keys to the kingdom on that call – so, no problems for the guy to listen on in!!!
‘Running with things’, as I’m sure you know – is the difference between the talkers and the do’ers out there.
Appreciate the comment.
C
Chris,Your story got me smiling.apart from “dont pay for wifi”one important lesson here is to let people around us know what we do or what we can do.i call it free marketing.you can never tell who is listening or what may come out of it.by the way,i have come to a stage where outsourcing is now my number one priority .so i will read as much as i can from your blog and see what i can pick up.any suggestions?thanks
Hi MK
The bottom line is this – people will NEVER know what you actually do, and more importantly, HOW you can HELP them – unless YOU tell them about it!
Thanks for the comment, buddy – and welcome to the VBL Tribe! I believe it was your first time to comment on the site…
RE: Outsourcing, click on the ‘outsourcing’ link on the right sidebar of the site and you’ll have more content than you can shake a stick at!!!
C
Thanks for the warm welcome chris. its my first time commenting but not my first time here. I read through some of your post on outsourcing .great stuff man but (yea there is always a but) i noticed you are more into monthly virtual staffing-VAs that gets paid monthly to do work.(i see you have a great service helping people with VAs.this is great) .just one thing .it may not be great for people who are starting out or low on cash or who dont want to pay a monthly sum yet.especially if the person’s online business just got started. As it is, i am looking for info on how to outsource on sites like elance ,odesk or fiverr. by the way,(although i already know some answers) would love read a post comparing outsourcing with VAs and outsourcing with sites like elance,odesk and fiverr.pros and cons. 2.a post on building niche sites using only outsourced workforce on fiverr or elance(the pros and cons) maybe your project could help here.
Hi MK
Great to hear you’ve been lurking for a while
And thanks for the feedback and idea for future posts, too. I have taken note of them and will see what I can do to put this together for both the VBL and http://www.outsourcetothephilippines.com.
Cheers,
C
Should you have to pay for wifi? NOPE. And I run an Internet Service Provider Business in Washington. With what the Internet means to businesses and consumers these days it’s become a required part of daily life for the masses. (especially those who work virtual)
Thus, if you run a business that interacts with end users such as coffee shops, hotels, etc those users expect now that they will have some sort of Wifi available.
Business that are not to stingy to write it into their bottom line get more love from their customers long term. (it’s a customer service first attitude to have free wifi and customers respond well to a service first attitude)
Good question. Love post as well
Hey Devin
First up – welcome to the VBL Tribe, its your first time commenting here, I believe.
Love your insights on the ‘bottom line’ and the ‘love’ from customers. Thats what its all about. And in towards VERY social mobile, online world – its more important than ever!
Thanks again for dropping by, and hope to see you back on the VBL soon.
C
Chris
I wonder if you can imagine yourself as one of your VAs, and one afternoon you read your boss’s blog post sketching a conversation between him and another Westerner regarding this “shit work” of yours. You would probably wonder why he didn’t even come to your dignity’s defense but just said, “his words, not mine!”
Come’on Chris, you could have made a better remark than that, or better yet, softened that term (shit work) to a more dignified one instead of quoting it “as is,” or simply dropped any mention of it. After all, the life of your business rests on those VAs, and they may grow tired of their job if they feel they are being seen as (shit) workers.
Just a thought – no offense intended. “Shit work” has plenty of possible meanings anyway (a job you hate, perhaps?) though it still doesn’t sound good to either ear – especially if you’re a VA.
Other than those two words, which I know you only quoted from the man, your report is great and I enjoyed and learned a lot from it. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Chris
As you mention, it was a quote. Not my term, nor my words.
Some people are more brash than others.
Anyone that knows me – especially my VA’s and my other 300-odd employees, know that I value each and every one of them. They are treated as part of my family.
Thanks for the comment, bud.
C
Whao, lovely write-up here Chris. You such a ‘GOOD BASTARD’ lol.
I hope to meet you when I come to Philippines, planning a program with the adsense flippers guys.
Happy new year boss!
Hi Sheyi
It would be great to see you here, whenever you get into town.
Until then, take care and good luck with things!!
C
Whao, thanks for the reply and hope to see you soon.
I sent you a private mail did you get it?
Sheyi
I was a super-cool boss over the holidays and gave my VA a full two weeks off! So, she’s a little behind on going through everything. Please be patient. If there is a question you’d like answered, feel free to post on the VBL Facebook page – I monitor THAT personally!
Cheers,
C
Thanks for taking time to answer that.
I’m off to the VBL FB page now!
Sheyi
And your perfected elevator pitch is …….. ?
