Originally Posted by SupportMyOffice

This is very relevant for me as I've just this year decided to focus on Real Estate. I am discovering however that I may have picked a bad time. It seems this crumbling market is taking its toll and many agents aren't willing to spend the money anymore. I think they are unsure how much longer that money will continue rolling in. I have considered targeting real estate AND mortgage but I know very little about the mortgage side. Any suggestions on this?

My focus is also Realtors, and I am finding the same problem. I started as a Real Estate Professional Assistant "back in the day", and wished I had started in VA work back then.... As far as doing Real Estate AND Mortgage, I think that MIGHT be helpful, but where I am, the mortgage brokers are in the same boat as the realtors. Maybe it's not as bad where you are...... I'm looking into focusing on some of my other skills.

I wish you luck and much success!!

Terri

Very true Terri. Mortgages are in the same boat. No houses selling means no mortgages are needed.

Its very distressing but I think things will pick up and it will get better.

Originally Posted by SupportMyOffice

This is very relevant for me as I've just this year decided to focus on Real Estate. I am discovering however that I may have picked a bad time. It seems this crumbling market is taking its toll and many agents aren't willing to spend the money anymore. I think they are unsure how much longer that money will continue rolling in. I have considered targeting real estate AND mortgage but I know very little about the mortgage side. Any suggestions on this?

I know nothing about Real Estate Virtual Assistance so if this answer seems implausible then I apologize upfront. But, the real estate market where I live is booming. Maybe you should extend your reach?

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

It is not implausible but I worry about the laws regarding real estate in Canada. I have tried to focus in Arizona generally and the US broadly only because the laws are a little different but gernerally the same from state to state and I have experience with them. I will look into Canada and see what things are like.

I'm glad to hear that the market is still good somewhere.

I am glad that I came across this thread because I too was having doubts about targeting mostly attorneys. It is scary, especially when you are just starting out, that you might be limiting yourself too much and missing out on good income.

This is a great way to put it and I'm going to try to remember this as I make my way into this VA world.

Originally Posted by KateK

Too many Virtual Assistants make the mistake of trying to be 'everything' to 'everybody' and end up not being anything to anyone.

Great thread ladies...I have been concentrating on contractors(so many in this area) and then I'm also interested in either restaurants, travel, hospitality something like that but I'm not sure how to get started on marketing them. I previously worked for an office that offered bookkeeping services only to restaurants so I do have that experience.....any suggestions?

I think this would be a good chat room topic for one of our Mondays.....marketing to your target market....I know I could use everyone's input and idea's.

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

Hello,

Well, I have a few areas of business I have been targeting and I have composed postcards and mailings tailored towards each.

Deb, I too am also targeting contractors and I have put services that are of interest to them on my mailings, like word processing of contracts, etc.

I think your idea for a chat topic, marketing to your target market, would be a great idea! By the way, it was a great chat last night!

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Thanks Darlene hope to see you there next week

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

I know this article is about real estate agents and not VA's but I thought it was relevant about finding a niche. http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/20...googlenews_wsj

I like the one gal's slogan “Skip the outfit, wear the lifestyle.”

Hi all, there's a free teleclass today on this very topic 'Finding your Dream Niche'! (Not a VAF event, but an outside event we learned of and posted to the boards)
Here's a link to the info.

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