I think it may be a 'good sign' but want to make sure I am not bias or anything like that.


I have defined the services that I want to offer.

I know the type of person I want to target as an 'ideal client'.

The problem is when I do a Google search for it specifically (using quotes) there are only 9 results. Only one of which is another VA service, but their services are client scheduling, billing, and email correspondence. Mine will (mainly) be SMM, Blogging, and content creation but I am not going to be doing anything with scheduling (unless it's blog posts) or billing their clients.

Searching unquoted results in over 31 million hits however, most are old 'want ad' posts (2 on the first page, 1 on page 2) and of course the above VA service is ranking at #1 on the first page. There are only 3 relevant results on the first page (one on page 2 and none on page 3).

I do know that the market has potential as I have worked in it. During that time I found that the owner was busy with 'on-site' work and didn't know where to start with a blog but had a Facebook account that she maintained herself semi-regularly (as in a post about services/specials and sometimes links to 'interesting content' every now-and-then --less than 7 times per month total), and a basic website.


So, what is y'all's opinion?

Hello Msbarb,

Please confirm for me what the Google search was trying to accomplish.

Were you seeking other virtual assistant websites to see what others were offering clients in the way of services that you want to offer? Or were you look for VA opportunities and postings?

And just a general question here: Did you search for individual services or everything all at once? My thought is if you search for social media marketing, blogging and article writing and creation, individually, you might get the results you are seeking.

My thought is that if you are looking for other VA sites, start with directories specific to VAs. Virtual Assistantville and Virtual Assistant Forums both have directories categorized by social media, writing, etc.

If you are looking for work then consider starting with Request for Proposals to see what clients are looking for.

In the meantime, I congratulate you on your selection of an ideal client. Search out places and forums such as LinkedIn for that client and participate in group discussions. Facebook has a number of virtual assistant groups which often post opportunities as well. Search here on VAF using the search feature in the upper right corner with keywords about social media and blogging, etc.

Not sure if I helped but do post back with additional info and I will see if I can respond further.

Janine

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Hi, Janine. Thank you for answering. I was not searching for the specific tasks, but rather what my ideal client would search for if they were in search of a VA in their line of business. Does that make sense?

I was curious about how many VAs are targeting the industry. I actually thought I had found another VA offering what I will be, in addition to the one above, but as I looked further into their site I discovered that they were mainly offering website design, management, optimization, and only offered Social Media in their most expensive package (900 Euro per month approx. $944). Honestly, most of the smaller businesses probably wouldn't be able to afford that much. Which are the ones I want to target.

I want to target language schools, but I am not finding many other VAs that are doing this. I find some that are targeting teachers, but not actual language schools. Maybe, it is because I live overseas? Language schools are everywhere here, while in the US they are not as popular?

I am working on my website, logo, etc ATM.

Hi Msbarb,

Forgive me for not understanding...how would you know what a client was searching for? The only way you could know what people are looking for, that I can surmise is to look at Request for Proposal titles, search on Twitter for VA Wanted, search LinkedIn for the same and other sites where people will post for VAs.

But I fail to see why you would do this.

Think about what schools would want from a VA first and the services you offer. Can you schedule, set up appointments, do they need social media marketing to advertise their school or could you also handle website design or bookkeeping.

In some industries they don't even know what a VA is but that does not mean they do not need one to help them.

Never assume that an industry would not be able to pay your fees.

It would be teachers that would most likely require your services because schools have their own administration to handle their business processes but until you educate them about what you can do and the value you bring to their business, they may not know.

My suggestion is to target teachers to learn about what the industry needs. If a teacher likes working with you, then you may receive referrals and start to network with the schools they work for.

I think you want to offer social media services. Think about packaging this with other services that schools need.

Another option is to ask teachers that you may know what it is that they think a school may need to be accomplished. Try posting on a discussion group in LinkedIn for educators and ask that question.

We don't have language schools here in the US because it can be taught in regular school. If someone wants to learn another specialty language, they can attend a local college and take a course. But there are no schools that I know of that specifically teach languages here. Plus people purchase Rosetta Stone or some other and learn at home.

I'd be interested to see your website so do post back with a link.

Best,

Janine

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OMG I spaced and didn't even think that you may not understand my reasoning. OK, this is going to be long. I apologize in advance. I was attempting market research, but the term VA hasn't actually caught on here yet. It is starting to though. But like you said just because they don't know the term doesn't' mean they don't need help.

Originally Posted by Your Virtual Wizard

Think about what schools would want from a VA first and the services you offer. Can you schedule, set up appointments, do they need social media marketing to advertise their school or could you also handle website design or bookkeeping.

In the first post I stated that my main services would be social media, blogging, content creation (flyers, certificates (if offered) and such). The small language school I worked at didn't have a secretary (the owner filled this position among others) and didn't require appointments. It expanded twice within the first year to be able to accommodate students (with 3-5 other language schools nearby). However, they severely neglected their social media presence and blog (still do actually).

Quote:

It would be teachers that would most likely require your services because schools have their own administration to handle their business processes but until you educate them about what you can do and the value you bring to their business, they may not know.

Public Schools wouldn't be an option (I know you said not to assume --sorry). The teacher salary here is low and their entire year is detailed by day and approved before the year begins. They usually just copy the previous year's plan and turn it back in. (Sister-in-law teaches Economics and does this by having me change the dates, modify format, etc on pdfs she gets from the board of education's website here... which is a common practice)

Teacher's pay is even lower if the teacher hasn't passed their teacher certification exam. They are still allowed to teach without it but at a lower pay rate (yes, even lower than they make in the states! Ex. My niece taught English for $150 per month, but she wasn't certified and taught in a small city. Certified teachers in the capital have gotten a raise recently to I believe $450 per month). In private schools there is usually a parent (volunteer TA) for each class who helps with field trip organization (usually on weekends) or celebrations (plays, parties, etc) only. Don't even think about getting a printed class overview, material's list, class schedule, progress reports, or grades (not until after 5th grade when they also begin end of the year exams).

I'm from the states so I know how odd and unorganized this sounds. And it is!!

Quote:

We don't have language schools here in the US because it can be taught in regular school. If someone wants to learn another specialty language, they can attend a local college and take a course. But there are no schools that I know of that specifically teach languages here. Plus people purchase Rosetta Stone or some other and learn at home.

Most of the languages taught in school here are the ones taught in the 'language schools'. Also, the one site I found that catered specifically to 'language schools' and other businesses was stateside. Zentasks.com just in case you want to have a look...they were in almost every search I did in English via Google. (Not too many use or have heard of LinkedIn here sadly...Facebook has only recently become popular ~last 2 years or so.)

In the country I live in, anyone can open a 'language school' they just have to register it as a small business. The teachers usually can't make any decisions without getting approval from the director. There are usually multiple languages taught by native speakers or those certified to teach the language. Some schools offer certificates while others do not. If they want to issue certificates they apply to the board of education who gives them a nifty stamp for the certificates.

It's like tutoring in an official setting like the Sylvan Learning Centers mixed with a mom-and-pop small business.

After I get my website setup, I was going to send flyers via email (of course) to a list of schools or call them. Most schools, unlike teachers, have websites or Facebook pages but don't know what they can post to attract more students or have time to tend to them.

However, the public school you go to decides what extra languages you are taught at the school. Some choose English while others Russian or German. There are no school districts either (or public meetings of the directors but each school's does report to a central governing body here in the capital), as long as you can get there they don't care where you live. It's really up to the student/parents which language the child learns as they are free to pick the school they want.

Now, the 'language school' comes into play when say all the schools within an acceptable driving distance offer a language that the student/parent really doesn't want (but has to take anyway), doesn't have appropriately qualified teachers, doesn't offer extra instruction in the language after class (teacher's choice--if they need to supplement the school's salary they will offer it), adequate amounts of practice, or are not interested in taking a college course if they find one. Most colleges don't offer languages here unless it's attached to a teaching degree.

Quote:

I'd be interested to see your website so do post back with a link.

I'm still designing it... so there isn't anything there at the moment. Once it's finished I will pm it to you. I am a SAHM at the moment but my little one will be able to attend Kindergarten this coming school year from 9-12:30. Four-and-a-half WHOLE hours kiddo free

I think I am going to keep the domain name neutral just in case the target changes down the road as I could offer services to more areas. Really hope that helped clarify things a tad...

Also, would like to mention that at the moment in the whole country I'm in there are no VAs... I speak and write in the local language as well as have access to people who are native in it and other languages.

Hello,

Thank you for clarifying your situation.

It seems that you have done a very good job already of researching the market.

It sounds as if you know who your market may be...the schools themselves.

Maybe VA is not a term used where you are however, maybe some other...virtual administrator, virtual office assistant, etc. so you can search more that way.

Or, maybe you will pioneer an entirely new field and start something new in the country.

I am trying to remember your original question, which was how to research educators who need VAs...I don't think you have to worry about that.

It sounds like you are trying something new and will simply pave your own way to educate the educators about the value you can bring to their own jobs and schools.

Best,

Janine

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Janine, I want to thank you for asking the questions and giving me lots to think about.
I actually searched:
* In English and the local language
* Globally and locally (you know just in case it was buried in the global results LOL)
* On Facebook and other sites that are popular locally

I have to admit that during this I looked at some local business pages on Facebook and totally OMG'd/SMH at some of the responses from the person managing the page. On a furniture store's page, someone asked 'why is the price so high? I can buy the same couch somewhere else cheaper' to which they replied "Go ahead, we don't want your business anyway" obviously upset and something you are NEVER to do. Which of course started an argument in the comments section.

This situation has made me ponder the possibility of branching into different areas or training locals. (Of course, once I get my pages/site/and business up and running)

Thank you again for all of your help and insight. I will pm you the link to my site once I get it up