I'm really just getting started out as a VA. I've worked in administrative support in various office settings for 20 years. As part of my planning, I'm trying to determine target clients. On a couple of VA podcasts and blogs, I've heard comments warning about not being all things to all people, that it's a good idea to focus on a few core specialties and/or a certain client market. I'd like to get more opinions on this.

Ideally, I would like to specialize in the area of Excel spreadsheet development and other types of reporting, which is one of my strengths and a task I actually enjoy. I'd also like to offer a service where I help new businesses develop administrative processes and to help existing businesses evaluate and improve their current processes. However, especially in the beginning, I think I would need to supplement this with other services that I am capable of doing and that clients might want. At some point I might be able to concentrate on only my specialties, but early on I think it would be helpful to keep myself open to other opportunities.

As far as certain client markets, my thinking was that it would be nice to be able to find clients in a few different industries that would have a need for my services. I would think that this would be helpful when there are downturns in a particular industry that I support, as I would still have other clients.

Any thoughts?

Regards,
Paula Tasch

I say if these are services you loved to offer, think of the audience that is more thank likely to need these services.

I think you are on the right track offering a variety of services in the beginning. You won't know what pulls the most clients until you see what works. It's great to have a niche, but if it's too narrow it may be hard to get started. Best wishes.

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