Hi all…
One of my areas of concern is my experience and list of potential services. I’m wondering if it seems like an odd combination:

-My office experience started over 20 years ago in High School. I worked part time in the school office doing general clerical work, most notably putting together large mailings (anywhere from 150 pieces to over 1,000). (Well they seemed large to me at the time).

-A number of years later, I landed a job with an auto parts manufacturer and worked my way up to the customer service dept. Of course I did the usual order entry, and so forth, but at the same time I learned Microsoft Access and was able to greatly improve efficiency in the department by better utilizing Access. I actually developed several big applications to help eliminate paperwork and other manual processes. (I think I was a victim of my own success, as they were then able to eliminate several positions, including mine!).

-My next (and current) employer is a well known media research firm, where I worked my way up to a client service position, then to a supervisor position. After a recent reorganization, my supervisor position was eliminated so I am back to Client Services. During my tenure with this employer, I not only continued utilizing my Access skills, but also was able to gain management experience, as well as the media research industry and how advertisers look at competitive data.

So I’ve compiled a potential list of services I could offer:
-Access Database design (including report creation)
-Training materials for the above, or for other applications.
-Data analysis
-Newspaper / magazine clipping service (as well as compiling data).
-PowerPoint presentations
-Data Entry
-Word Processing
-Newsletters
-Excel Spreadsheets (Including chart creation).
-Bulk mailings

Of course there are more sub-categories that go under each of these. But this still doesn’t feel like a very long list to me, so this is why I’m a bit skeptical. I’m thinking if I put my portfolio online, it could get some clients’ attention. (I actually have copies of most of the databases I’ve designed). I do plan to get a website going soon. Any thoughts on how this odd list of offerings could be received by clients?

Hi Marc,

All I can say is give it a try. I've found that of the services I offer, there are a few that seem to be my mainstay. Occasionally I get asked to assist with something I offer but don't do very often and it seems the same 3 or 4 services are projects I get asked to do a lot. Understand?

I think your target market will determine the services you need to provide. Do you know who you will be targeting yet? That's a good place to start.

__________________
Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

I provide bookkeeping and office support services. This translates to primarily bookkeeping w/occasional "can you do this?" questions. I started by creating primary headings and then put sub-headings under each:

bookkeeping

• a/r
• a/p
• etc.

office document creation

• MS Word
• MS Excel
• etc.

mail merge/bulk mailing

• create mailing lists
• create mail merge documents
• etc.

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

Shari - Great suggestion - I've started putting together a list of the types of clients I would like to target. I'll share it for feedback when it is complete.

Lily - Great idea - I think that would be a good excercise for me.

Thanks!

Shari's response is right on. But I think it's good to go ahead and concentrate where you're comfortable, while also making sure your communications include the fact that you're an 'all-round' support to business as well. Focusing on database design, creation, maintenance, etc. is a fine specialty. Every business needs a database, and not all are adept at setting them up.

The way I think of it, VAs all do administrative work - i.e., work that supports business through organization or follow through - but we often distinguish ourselves through specialties. Any office staff includes some who are good at one thing, others who are the go-to for different needs. It's appropriate (and smart) for VAs, as well, to make their special strengths known, though it is not the sole concentration of their business.

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com