You're welcome, Lyn.

Do you have a business plan? Determine what services you want to offer and the rates you want to charge. You want to pursue clients who can obviously pay you.

Once that is determined think about industries that you have worked with in the past. You might also think about industries that are of interest to you in a personal sphere. Do you like nutrition? You may want to target nutritionists in private practice. Do you have an artsy-craftsy background? You may want to target e-commerce people who are jewelers, bakers or designers.

Not sure if that is helpful but do post back if you have any questions.

Janine

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Hi Janine

Yes, I do have a business plan and know what services I can offer. They are all on my website. I have a couple of secretary friends who are part of my team who all help out on self employed basis so I know I can cover everything that I offer. I know what I'm charging and generally sell time in bundles of hours. My problem is I just don't want people to read the website and then think I'm a 'jack of all trades'. This is obviously where I need to focus. I have a strong legal background. I am very interested in bridal industry because I also have a mobile bridal accessory company and offer wedding planning - so I suppose if I had a major interest it would be in that industry - perhaps helping others in that industry may be something I could look at! I guess being a VA means that you are constantly having to change and adapt.

Thanks for the support x
Lyn

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http://frbusinesssolutions.co.uk

Originally Posted by Your Virtual Wizard

Hi Nekiwa, I will be glad to provide feedback, however, I would suggest you create a separate thread in the website review request area so you can obtain feedback from all members. I am afraid your request might get buried here. And do provide the link to your website so we can check on that easily. Janine

Hi Janine,

Thanks so much! I've updated my settings with my web address as well as my signature. When you have a chance or time, I would really love it if you would overlook my website

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Nekiwa Smith, OAVS
5 Keys to Profits

I definitely see covering a general range of services as a niche. It will do you no harm to start off this way, discover what you're good at and what your clients want, what you enjoy, etc and decide further along if you want to specialise. But don't feel you have to have a niche.

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Telephone Answering virtual assistant
alldaypa.com

Lots of great advice here and I feel that it all depends on what you love to do as, if you love doing something, you'll shine at it. I did generalist work but I didn't enjoy it and much of it was so boring. In the past year I gained two new clients, one for project word processing and a small law firm on contract for transcription. After a career with major law firms, I'd forgotten how much I really loved doing that type of work and will concentrate on those two areas from now on. Sometimes your niche has been there all along, sometimes it falls in your lap.

Lynne

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The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Originally Posted by Wordpro Wizard

Lots of great advice here and I feel that it all depends on what you love to do as, if you love doing something, you'll shine at it. I did generalist work but I didn't enjoy it and much of it was so boring. In the past year I gained two new clients, one for project word processing and a small law firm on contract for transcription. After a career with major law firms, I'd forgotten how much I really loved doing that type of work and will concentrate on those two areas from now on. Sometimes your niche has been there all along, sometimes it falls in your lap. Lynne

Thanks so much! I do know that I love building Wordpress websites...I'm thinking about maybe focusing on that but I've noticed that a LOT of VA's specialize in this area and I'm thinking that its a lot of competition. I also like Blog Management, postings, etc. Anything having to do with blogging, the creativeness behind it, building blogs, etc.....I do love to do!! What is your input regarding Wordpress? How could I market myself with that niche and be successful(considering the amount of competition)?

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Nekiwa Smith, OAVS
5 Keys to Profits

I have been thinking a lot more about this just recently and decided I need to conduct further market research to find out just what potential clients are looking for. Thought I might do this along the lines of a questionnaire. Would love some feedback on what kind of research other VAs have carried out and perhaps the sort of questions they asked in their research.

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http://frbusinesssolutions.co.uk

Lyn,

You can create a poll here on VAF and ask VAs what their clients are looking for as far as services.

You can create a fast, 5-questions survey on Survey Monkey and use that link to send to Twitter and Facebook to ask people to help you with those questions. [People would be more like to help if you have something to offer...so consider creating a free download with tips as to how to do something in return for answering those questions.]

Janine

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Janine, thank you for clarifying "target market" and "niche" for me. I realize that I have been trying to narrow down my target market, but I my service(s) can be my niche.

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Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

in this line of industry, being general is the complete opposite of niching simply because that just means that you are not focusing on anything.

Niching is focusing on one thing, and be a top provider for that specific service.