Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 02-28-2011

Hi there,

I am a new member of VAF and in the process of starting my own VA business. I'm just wondering how you found your nice? Did you look at your strengths and experience? Or did you look at the market place?

It would be great to hear what you consider to be your niche and how you found it.

Thanks a million,

#2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011

Hi Miss Moneypenny

My niche is proofreading/editing and I looked at not only my strengths but the things I enjoyed doing the most to reach this conclusion. I have always enjoyed reading and an ability to spot errors quite easily so concentrating on this field of expertise sat quite comfortably with me.

Have you found your niche yet?

Good luck in your new business.

Cheers

#3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011

Hi,

My niche or focus is offering services around wordpress development including creating your website, eCommerce solutions and newsletter.

When I started I was pretty general it what I offered and who I offered it to, now my focus is working with mainly female solo professionals in the coaching and creative fields.

There's nothing wrong with offering a more general service offering to start out with and then as you discover what you like and don't like you can change and narrow your focus. The beauty of running your own solo practice is you can change it as you needs change.

Renee

#4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2011

Your niche will turn out to be whatever you are good at and can sell to another person. When you are new, your business will go in the direction of what your first few clients need. I could be wrong.
Find your passion. What do you do that you get lost in? Sell that concept! There's your niche.

#5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2011

Hi, I also just started my VA business... I am offering General Services but want to concentrated in research and data entry. Like other people said, find what you are good at and what you like to do and concentrate on that. In my case I am also offering other general services that I am good at and that I enjoy doing.

Good Luck!
Jessica

#6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011

Hello Bronwyn,

Not only is the niche centered around doing the work that you enjoy but it is important that this talent is promoted to an audience who can use these services AND is in a financial position to pay your invoices.

Renee's niche...female solopreneurs who are coaches and consultants fits the criteria of NEED and ability to PAY for those services.

I reviewed a book here on VAF called 'The Wealthy Freelancer' and there is a great chapter regarding 'how to find your target customer'.

Good luck!

Janine

#7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2011

Thanks ladies, that's very helpful.

#8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2011

I agree with everyone else, Start with what you are good at and then develop from there.

Define what it is you are good at and enjoy doing
Define how you could sell that as a service
Define who would want to buy that product.

Identifying these three things can be more difficult that they sound, but by going into detail with all three you will be able to find your niche.

#9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2011

Hi Myrthe,

Hope it's okay if I add a bit to this post...

I started my VA practice back in 2003. When I was just starting out, I made the BIG mistake of trying to be a "Jack-Of-All-Trades", trying to be everything to every client all hours of the day (and night). I did find a good deal of work, but found that it was exhausting me and it was so very stressful. I think I did a pretty good job at keeping my head above water, but looking back, I'm amazed I lasted my first year.

Since then, it's true what the others have said, I've learned to find what I really enjoy doing and have become very good at it. I do still offer a wide variety of services, because I think it's important to be versatile, but I consider them as the top 10 of what I'm really good at. I learned it's important to set strong boundaries as well (ie: once I was clear that I am only available during business hours, things improved immensely).

I'm very comfortable now in my practice. I enjoy the clients I work with and feel the mutual benefit of doing what I love and doing it well. It's very rewarding and I'm so glad I stuck with it.

In a nutshell, trying to be everything to everyone isn't healthy for either the VA or the Client. If you can be careful of that syndrome, I think you'll do just fine.

)

~ Michelle