Hi all,

I have a question. I am just starting out as a Virtual Assistant. Honestly, I have worked remotely for people and never used the name "Virtual Assistant" but due to unemployment have looked at this as a change and hopefully me taking control in a positive way.

In my research into this I saw many articles about niches and many websites that offered general admin services. If I have a niche it would be in the restoration industry, specifically large catastrophic losses that are covered under insurance. That is where I have spent the last 10 years. But obviously you are limited to disasters. Which makes it kind of weird and is another whole topic. Deeper background to this is construction...just after I get to it, it is reconstruction. If it is not an insurance paid claim than I wonder about the need for a VA for construction? Feel free to enlighten me. I mean, any construction office I have ever worked in never needed to go to a VA.

SO I think generalist. I am organized, a researching fool, have a aptitude for seeing a business, procedure, situation and providing a solution. I have created forms, procedure manuals, presentations, class accepted at a state level for CE credits, you name it I have done it. If you go back even further I used to gallop racehorses and sell boats. So I am comfortable in all kinds of environments!

But, and forgive me as I write like I talk, now to the heart of this. Lately I have seen several different posts or things around the internet that say admin is the least asked for skill. You have to have your niche in Real Estate or Social Media, or bookkeeping. So my question is; Are you making it as a generalist? Or, are you making it in Social Media? Because if I had to find a niche (that wasn't disaster related) that one is intriguing to me. It's like when I found out I could get paid to ride horses, you mean I can get paid to be on the internet? lol Do people really budget for you to handle social media? And if you are good with the computer but not necessarily "Techie" can you provide value for their money?

And if "generalists" are the least asked for skill than why is it that everywhere I look I see questions to ask the client, or things that you can do for them, and it is all admin related?

I am really curious about this as my unemployment is about out and I am truly questioning whether this is a viable plan for me. Plan B is that I have not stopped looking for full-time work of some sort where this becomes part-time until it can absolutely support me full time. This just seems like such a perfect job for me, my skills and personality.

Any comments, feedback or encouragement would be most welcomed!

CatFive,
Hello! So glad to "meet" you. I am impressed with your background. I have a varied background as well and like you am a research junkie. I happen to also be unemployed. My job ended in the last day of Jan. I have been working on my VA biz since. I have no clients yet, (though I have not searched intensely) and my benefits will end at the end of the year. The VA industry is growing by leaps and bounds and employers, I believe, are starting to catch on to the benefits of working with a VA.

Sorry, I rambled on and forgot if you had a question! LOL. Stay with us and if both of us have to get "work" to pay the bills it is only a supplement to a wonderful career as a VA.

Wishing you the best,
Diana

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Diana Buchanan
When You Don't Have the Time

I started out a generalist and my business is now over 15 years old. I wouldn't worry about it too much. When I started I was feeling my way. There was no Virtual Assistant industry and no-one to ask for advice. I was pretty much alone and it was pre-internet so I took whatever work came along, that I had the skillset for.

Today there is a lot about developing a niche but the reality is that most people don't know what their niche is until they've been in business for sometime.

I discovered Association Management about 3 years into my business and did that for 10 years till I got tired of it. This means I was running the secretariats for non-profit organisations from my own office - and at one stage I think I had 3, maybe 4 I was running simultaneously and looking after some small clients too. Full time work, full time income and I did enjoy it but all the committee meetings, networking events, and constantly being out of my office every week for something wore me out. I just wanted to be home full time and not be going out evenings or early mornings or whatever so eventually I culled these by giving the associations to my VA team members and progressed with looking after business coaches and professional speakers, which I still do today. Their needs were almost identical to the non-profits meaning they have databases and websites to look after, and occasionally have events I need to help organise.

Today I do a lot more social media stuff - blogs, set up profiles for Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc.

Hi CatFive!

Nice to meet you as well. You have a very varied background and some of your talents are not widely shared, it seems, so you may have an edge on a market that is virtually untapped (pun intended!).

It sounds to me like you might like to target your services to construction companies. So what if the construction companies you worked for in the past had no need for a VA...what if you GAVE them a reason to hire you? Why don't you sit down, write down some notes that you feel would be indispensible to construction companies, racehorse industries and boating companies. You could offer advertising flyers, brochures to promote their businesses, postcard mailers, etc. The list goes on.

I'm also new to this VA business and I LOVE the prospect of being in business for myself and doing what I want to do--not what I'm asked to do by an employer.

I say go for it, if you're still entertaining the thought. If you've never been in business for yourself, definitely put together a business plan before starting. It will help organize your thoughts and give you a plan.

And yes, there is a market for anything where you provide services to businesses who need your talent and expertise--that's where marketing comes into play--and it's where I am currently...wish me luck...and I wish YOU luck. Best wishes in whatever you decide.

Originally Posted by catfive

...If it is not an insurance paid claim than I wonder about the need for a VA for construction? Feel free to enlighten me. I mean, any construction office I have ever worked in never needed to go to a VA. So my question is; Are you making it as a generalist? Or, are you making it in Social Media? Because if I had to find a niche (that wasn't disaster related) that one is intriguing to me. It's like when I found out I could get paid to ride horses, you mean I can get paid to be on the internet? lol Do people really budget for you to handle social media? And if you are good with the computer but not necessarily "Techie" can you provide value for their money? And if "generalists" are the least asked for skill than why is it that everywhere I look I see questions to ask the client, or things that you can do for them, and it is all admin related? I am really curious about this as my unemployment is about out and I am truly questioning whether this is a viable plan for me. Plan B is that I have not stopped looking for full-time work of some sort where this becomes part-time until it can absolutely support me full time. This just seems like such a perfect job for me, my skills and personality.

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I agree with what Kathie and Kathya have both said, anyone who has office work or other tasks they don't have the time for or the know-how needs and assistant whether it's virtual or otherwise. So, you may never have seen a construction company using a virtual assistant but I'm pretty sure that most, if not all, have an office worker of some sort and there's really no difference except that a VA is not onsite. When I think of "disaster" and "reconstruction", I immediately think of FEMA so there's a target (i.e. possible potential client) right there. My dad owns a paving company and, like so many other businesses, he's been hard by the downturn in the economy. He purchased this big rig and started hiring himself out to FEMA as a contractor and has been doing pretty well with it. He only works when a recovery is in progress, of course, and he still has his paving company but it's been a huge help and he's been able to keep his guys in work. Also, as Kathya mentioned, you have a very interesting background that offers interesting target markets (horses and boats).

I used to think "niche, niche, niche. I have to identify a niche." But now, I'm thinking that it really doesn't matter that I niche right away. What matters is that I'm doing something that I'm interested in and, if I have many different interests, it's ok to try my hand at more than one. If I find my passion along the way (or realize an old one), then I can concentrate on that "niche" but I'll still probably be handling the more general admin support as well. It will probably just be for my niche's target clients as opposed to the general public. I feel like I'm rambling here, but I hope you understand what I'm trying to get at...lol

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Thanks for your comments. I am really excited about the potential here. I am working on my business plan and trying to get things together, and actually have two clients that are giving me intermittent work. One is in the UK so I already can say I have an international presence! It's great to think that 25 years of working for others may have given me the keys to success as the owner of my own business.

I agree with finding your niche as you go along but I am still curious as to some more feedback on my original questions regarding potential as a generalist vs. having a more specific skillset such as web design or social media. I know there is a need for general admin tasks, are there really that many people out there who are willing to pay it and are savvy to the VA world? I hope so because I would love to start out that way. And I may not offer it as a service right away but the whole social media thing really intrigues me. I am going to try to learn as much as I can about that potential market.

Kathy

to VAF and the industry Kathy;

I started my business this year with what I thought as a clear niche and set of services mostly as you would categorize general; databases, contact management, presentations, spreadsheets, etc to support a businesses sales efforts.

During the last few months, my services have expanded to include telemarketing which I did not plan to get into and are now also moving into social media and web design (which I know nothing about!). My clients have asked for services and whether I am learning and doing myself or sub-contracting my company is providing what they need.

So to your questions: Is there a market - definately, it's a matter of getting out there by social media, networking, advertising or using all the tools discussed here at the forum - people have to know you are there and what you are offering.

General vs Specific - both are fine and as your business progresses you can add/remove services as you determine what best fits you, your business and your clients -- always remember it is your business and you decide.

There are things you have to consider due to legalities, branding and other business related (see business plan documents in the library) but otherwise jump in and find clients and decide your services and niche as you go along. You will make mistakes, we all do but learning from that is what great businesses are made of.

Good luck and we look forward to hearing what you decide - the VA Industry and VAF is always will to help where they can.

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Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

Cindy,

Thanks so much for your comments! I am happy to see someone who is new and already making money! I will be stepping up my marketing efforts over the next couple of months. Right now I am marketing mainly to people I know and who know my skills. I need to be a little more prepared before I go public. Website up, logo created, business plan finished, forms and procedures defined and/or created. Busy times!!!

Kathy