Hi Everyone - here is a question from a newbie:

I am working on a project to help me define “Who is my ideal client?” and to understand my value as a VA.

I am finding this to be a challenging exercise for many reasons: (1) I know my skills are marketable (Database Management, Project Management, Process Improvement and Data Analysis) but I am not certain how to define or target clients because I am not certain these skills are offered under the VA umbrella. (2) I am not certain which skills I should market.

I feel like I am all over the place because I am unable to answer if these skills fall under the VA umbrella. Please provide your insight and a little guidance?

Vickie

OK, the way that I have it figured is that a VA is anything there is a demand for and you can handle it... I am a newbee also and REALLY working on my skills and goals for my business. I hope that the other VA's will correct me if I am wrong here but the way that I have it identified is your skills are your VA business. I think the only thing that you have to do is figure out what skills you want to market, list those skills, then identify how to market that skill and who you need to market that skill to. Just remember hang in there, it will get easier... I hope....

Vickie,
In my opinion, those skills definitely fall under the 'VA umbrella'. But I'm one of those who believe that any service/skill that you can provide remotely can be something that a VA offers as a service. To try to help identify your ideal client, you can start by determining which types of businesses you have experience providing those services too, add to that any types of businesses that you are familiar enough with and would be comfortable working with. After that you can continue to narrow it down according to what demographic you might be most interested in working with (for example ...women, or women with small children running their own businesses, etc.)
As I mentioned in my interview here, over the years I've continued to get more and more specific about visualizing just who my ideal client is.

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

I think you should market the skills you are great at AND love to perform. One of the greatest joys of being a VA and a business owner is being able to focus on services [and clients] you truly enjoy. Don't worry about the 'VA umbrella' - make your own rules and definitions.

With that said, as far as defining your ideal target market[s] - check out this archived event with author Ed Gandia - it's a recorded call he did with VAF members on defining your ideal client and he even provided a free worksheet, also available here on the site, to help you get clear. Both resources are linked from the VAF Blog here.

I hope that helps!

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