Okay, I've been at this for a bit, not a long time, but long enough to get a bit of a sense of something I might be doing wrong regarding my niches. I think I have may have one too many.

So far my biggest $$ makers have been website design, office administrative, and some transcription (the latter I feel will pick up in time). These three I enjoy immensely!

I also have years of experience with accounting/bookkeeping, but therein lies my dilemma. I know there are PCs out there, but I'm not drawing any in. Another thing is, although I have the education and experience, I am not so sure I would totally enjoy doing this anymore anyhoo.

What a hoot - maybe I answered my own question as I typed this.

Any thoughts guys and gals - quit offering accounting/bookkeeping or leave it on my site "just in case"? Thank you!

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Jules
www.sunrisevirtualsolutions.com

I think you did answer your own question.
I'd go with the services you enjoy doing and weed out the others. I've found that the more I've trimmed down my services, getting rid of the ones I wasn't crazy about and the ones that took more time, the more interest I've had in my services.
Plus, it's always a plus to love your work!

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~Tina
Clerical Advantage

Aw, thank you for your insight, Tina. Me thinks you're right on all points.

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Jules
www.sunrisevirtualsolutions.com

Hi

I agree too. Narrowing to the niches you enjoy and can be profitable really helps.

One thing I'll also try and do is think to the future. What niches might I be offering in the next few months. Like I love article writing and marketing. As I was working on my article database, I started writing articles on it and posting more on my website. Then when I was really ready to go full steam ahead I already had the base work done and interest peaked. The only thing is you want to be qualified enough in that niche so that just in case you do get a client early, you can do it.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
www.VirtualWordPublishing.com

Well...I have a PC for accounting/bookkeeping. He is a client that I did some WP and phpBB forum setup and integration work for. Looks like I'm going to be backtracking a bit on my not offering bookkeeping. The reason for not offering it is because I got burnt out when I was the full-charge bookkeeper for a large corporation - I was way overworked and stressed out after a merger and had to wear many hats. This might be a lot better because I would "only" be a bookkeeper, not HR, employee gripe department, office manager, etc., etc.

I was in the thinking process about just offering it to clients that don't have an accounting program because I love Peachtree Accounting, and most don't have this, but I prefer working in Peachtree Accounting. Kind of a rambling here...

I'll email him back and see what he wants/needs to determine my course of action.

What a dilemma, eh? But a nice one! I do want to be a "one stop shop" as I've stated in other posts.

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Jules
www.sunrisevirtualsolutions.com

Hi Jules,

Isn't it cool when you type your question & answer it at the same time? You might find bookkeeping more enjoyable now that it isn't the only thing that you do.

May I ask how much bookkeeping experience you have? I am not a bookkeeper, but I have maintained books for small companies, paying payroll taxes & that type of thing. I've always turned my work over to an accountant, though. Would this preclude me from offering this service?

I can't believe you like transcription!

Lezly

Over the years my service offerings have changed to accommodate the clients I was attracting. Co-incidentally it was always work I was enjoying at the time. I used to do bookkeeping but lost interest in it but as that happened I began attracting clients in another area I enjoyed. I think your passion and enthusiasm is reflected in the way you attract clients.

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Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

You are right, Lezly, I will enjoy it much more without all the added responsibilities.

I've been doing accounting/bookkeeping (there is a differentiation between the two - I do both) for well over 20 years (probably more like 30 since I started when I was around 19-20 years old), but in 1992 I went to college and majored in accounting (sub-major business law). I did this because I was serious about this profession and I am totally glad I did.

Payroll can be one of the most challenging aspects of accounting/bookkeeping, so unless you have actually processed payroll (not just the tax payments), I wouldn't offer it as part of your service until you do.

As far as other facets of bookkeeping, it would depend on how much experience you had with entering the transactions for AR and AP and reconciling said accounts (part of the accounting end of things - bookkeepers don't always do this) with their control accounts, etc. Also, understanding the different account relationships (assets, contra asset, liabilities, contra liability, owner's equity, stockholders' equity, owner's draw or dividends account, revenues/income, expenses, gains, and losses) and their "normal balances" as far as debit or credit is essential, too. And is the client setup as a cash or accrual basis company. (Just to name a few things. )

Not saying you couldn't do it, but maybe a bit of education under your belt would help if you are really interested in this niche. Or if you have more experience than I'm getting the feeling you do, that could be a different story.

Not sure I explained this very well, but hopefully a bit of it will help.

To me transcription is rewarding. Bringing the spoken word to the page in written format is quite fun and a challenge!

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Jules
www.sunrisevirtualsolutions.com

Well said, Kathie! I totally agree. This PC caught me in my indecisive train of thought and wondering if it was worth it. It also caught me off guard, but put me in a more decisive frame of mind. Isn't it weird how things work out? Thinking about giving up a niche, and WHAMMY, a PC!

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Jules
www.sunrisevirtualsolutions.com

Yes, almost like the Laws of Attraction in reverse. Or perhaps a sub-conscious attraction of the right client?

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Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog