As a new VA I am wondering if I should keep my business services general or should I focus on one particular skill and promote just that one. I have over 20 years experience from basic clerical skills to running the entire office. So I am trying to find the best way to establish myself as VA. Any thoughts?

My primary service is bookkeeping with a side of office support services. Therefore, I promote my bookkeeping and just let my clients know I can do other things as needed.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Is there one thing that you especially like to do? Something that if you worked 20 hours a week at it you'd be happy to do? Is so, then one skill that you promote yourself would be the way to go. But if you like to do a many things, then don't focus on just one. Maybe instead focus on one type of industry you'd like to work for.

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If you particularly enjoy one task like transcription or translating then you could focus on that and as Office Goddess suggested, let your clients know that you also offer other services. I offer a few services but I tend to promote my translation (mainly because not everyone can speak another language) and writing skills plus I have over 8 years experience in Real Estate so I like to focus on those. I also like a little variety so this is a good way for me to go but it depends on your likes and your circumstances such as if you can afford to be limited to a specific activity or whether you need to broaden your services to be able to reach more clients.

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Sabrina L. Williams
For a bird's eye view of your business

Thank you for your words of advice. It has given me a lot to think about. I know that I have several skills that I really enjoy doing. Now I just need to figure out how I am going to promote them.

If you excel at a specific aspect of administrative work then definitely promote that! Don't let your other skills fall by the wayside though. If you think you have a niche then market yourself to those potential clients.

I myself am a bookkeeper by nature but perform all forms of administrative support. I market my bookkeeping skills to specific potential clients but I make sure they are aware that I can handle just about anything they can throw my way.

By nature being VA's, we have to be able to fulfill many if not all of the administrative needs of our clients. You sound like you have an excellent background in admin, go for the all around VA and I think you will be able to capture clients in no time.

I have many administrative skills but my favorite is transcription. I am targeting my market based on that but also want to have clients be aware that I can do other things too. I want to branch out to email management and database management, so I am working on that, which is a different market. It's all a learn and grow process. We are here to help you through it.

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Maryann Matas, Seashore Transcription & Typing Services
Virtually Partnering in Business for Your Success

focus on your strengths and sell them as your main service, whilst letting clients or potential clients know that you can help with other tasks too :-)

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Telephone Answering virtual assistant
alldaypa.com

I didn't know what my niche was until a few days ago and it was there all along I just didn't realise, it came to me when I was thinking about my previous employment and what I did.

Thank you for posting this question I needed to hear the answers also.

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Netobia's Virtual Solutions
www.netobiasvirtualsolutions.c om