Flexibility

In order to be successful virtually, you are going to need to be flexible with clients, potential clients and contacts. You will have clients/customers in different time zones, all over the globe. It is important that each client feel that you are dedicated to them and their needs. You may need to work odd hours. If you restrict your practice to regular business hours for your time zone, for example, how will that affect your client relationship with a client in a time zone off by 12 hours from yours? Consider having a partner in a different time zone that can be your backup during your down time. You may need to evidence how you can be efficient for those clients if you are in a different time zone and don’t have backup. Be open to working with professionals in other countries, which would enable you to be more flexible. Often they may not speak your language perfectly, but their work product may be spectacular.  

Integrity & Honesty

I cannot express how important it is to maintain complete honesty and integrity, particularly when dealing with clients of other cultures. Become knowledgeable about different cultures and be sure to follow their customs. Never address a potential client by their given name unless you are specifically invited to. This in many cultures is an insult and will remove you from the running. You must maintain an atmosphere of professionalism at all times when speaking with people. Always give a reasonable completion time. If you can’t do it in the time you’ve realistically set, tell the client. He/She would rather know that it would be late or know that they need to go elsewhere to get the job done. If you are honest, even if you cannot fit it in, they will come back when they need you in the future. If you promise and cannot deliver, they may never come back.  

Proficiency