I haven't written on here in a while and maybe I should have!

This past summer I decided to pursue freelance writing over virtual assisting...I thought it was the way to go as that service was the bread and butter of what I was providing anyways. So I created a new website (www.cpstyle.ca) and tried to market myself. Yes I did acquire some clients but I find myself now feeling very frustrated and wondering if I should have just stuck with my original plan and built on it rather than trying something new. I do still have my website www.vipassistantsolutions.com and am wondering if I should scrap CP Style (which isn't getting great SEO ratings) and focus on VIP Assistant Solutions?

I guess my change of heart is also stemming from the fact that I recently found out I'm pregnant and am now thinking of my family's future...what direction do I take and has anyone else gone through the same frustration?

Thanks in advance for your help. All input would be appreciated because I'm feeling a bit lost....I should also mention that I do know my strong skills lie in PR writing and writing in general but do enjoy providing admin services as well...

Thanks!

Caroline

__________________
Caroline Pigott
VIP Assistant Solutions

Caroline,
I guess my first question would be to ask you which you'd rather be doing? The freelance writing or the virtual assistance? And my second would be to ask if doing both were an option?

__________________
~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

I thought I preferred doing the freelance writing but the more I think about the more I think doing both would be the better option. There are parts of freelance writing I enjoy (such as article writing, blogging, website content) and there are parts to virtual assisting I enjoy (travel arrangements, typing, project support..). Now I have two websites and I'm not sure what direction to take. I think I got caught up with one service without giving the whole picture a good thorough thought. And now I feel very lost

__________________
Caroline Pigott
VIP Assistant Solutions

I'm sure it has to feel overwhelming at this point, but if it makes you feel any better, I think lots of us find ourselves trying things out and going in different directions from time to time. I think it's better to have branched off and determined that its not all you want to do than to have never tried it. After all, then you would have always wondered.
Now you have two very distinct sets of services to offer.
Have you considered simply making one a 'branch' of the other? For example, if you want your VA business to be front and center you can link to your freelance writing services (and your cpstyle.ca site) from there.
Maybe you want to narrow the virtual assistance services that you offer to only those items you mentioned enjoying the most?
I actually believe I've seen other virtual assistants that have done this quite successfully.
I think you're just experiencing some 'growing pains', it very well could be the very thing to bring you success.

__________________
~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

I agree with Tina...Maybe your VA biz could be the parent company of your freelance writing company. Leave both websites up and running and look into subbing out the work you enjoy the least.

__________________
Kathy
www.theofficevirtuoso.com

Great idea. Thank you. I guess now I have to wonder how to get back on track. Both websites are completely different...different looks. so maybe I should make them look more similar to the other...I also have to now get into the marketing game. What marketing efforts do you all use? That part gets me stuck as well. It might be the pregnancy or Christmas bills but I'm feeling a sense of urgency now where I want to get into this very seriously. I would appreciate the steps you took to get to where you are now (if it's not too much to ask!) Thanks so much for your input!!

__________________
Caroline Pigott
VIP Assistant Solutions

Caroline,
My marketing is done mostly through my blog and guest posting. The majority of my clients have found me through that or have been referred to me by my current clients.
I do have an ad running in a local magazine and although it's gotten plenty of attention it hasn't actually brought me any signed clients.
I've also gained one client from attending a women in business networking meeting.

__________________
~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

I agree with Tina as well. Like I have always believed you never know until you try. It may be a good idea to market both skills, possibly revamp your vip website.

Good luck!
Amy