Comments on: Do I have to have a niche?

By: Virtual Office

Virtual Office — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:36:07 +0000

good points made and I agree unless you have a very specific skill set that would only appeal to a certain client you shouldn’t pigeon hole yourself.

By: Kathie Thomas

Kathie Thomas — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:19:46 +0000

I’ve obviously touched on a hot button and I’m so glad to see that. Also glad that I can help others in this simple way of sharing my thoughts and my experiences. Thank you everyone for contributing to this conversation – it is very much appreciated as it helps affirm my thoughts.

By: Jeannette Tibbetts

Jeannette Tibbetts — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:06:08 +0000

Wow, your post is so pertinent to what I have been dwelling on for the last 3 months…and I’ve blog about my own thoughts on “niche” (which means “nest” btw).

And then today, I’ve had 3 inquiries for press releases–a service that *may* be my niche–from completely different potential clients (I don’t have a target market either–I work for 2 educators, 1 contractor & a hair salon; these 3 new potentials are a publisher, a nonprofit and web designer; go figure!)

Thanks Kathie for your thoughts–it helps me feel comfortable in my current position!

By: Yelena

Yelena — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:33:43 +0000

Kathie, thank you so much for your post and for your comments on the VirtualAssistantsForum.com site. I wholeheartedly agree with you. You brought up some excellent points for not pressuring VAs to “define and stick to a niche”. I’d like to add something here:

One of the reasons we see so many new VAs in the last few years is because of the economy. These are accidental entrepreneurs who got laid off and couldn’t find another job. Many decided to start their own business doing something they already know or at least something that can be learned with only a small investment of time and money. By not selecting a narrow niche these new VAs minimized their risk and shortened their “time to market”. (And I’m speaking from experience here). But as they get established, they gain more freedom to narrow their offerings.

Here’s another point to consider – VAs are not employees pigeon-holed into their job descriptions. They are entrepreneurs and have considerable freedom in choosing to do what they are interested in and passionate about. As interests and passions change, VAs might re-focuse and change niches.

Finally, being a generalist does not mean a VA lacks marketing focus. A generalist VA can have a very focused marketing plan with well-defined niche clients. On the other hand, a VA offering niche services might try to cater to anyone and everyone.

By: Lorraine Grout

Lorraine Grout — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:16:43 +0000

One of the reasons I’m a VA is that I tend to get bored in traditional roles, no matter how varied and challenging they are – same boss, same environment, same politics. So I’m avoiding finding too restrictive a niche because I love the variety of the work I do. Having said that, I am passionate about words and a stickler for correct punctuation and grammar and have developed a reputation for being a good proofreader as a result. Consequently a lot more of that sort of work is coming my way which I very much enjoy but I won’t give up the other work I do because I also enjoy that and it makes a welcome change.

By: Mary H Ruth

Mary H Ruth — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:32:58 +0000

Your points are well-taken, Kathie. But I wonder about the definition of the word, niche. Seems there’s so much confusion about it. To me, word-processing could indeed be your niche, and your target market, then, might be lawyers or doctors or whatever. But the important thing is to know and promote what you’re really good at. If you advertise that you’ll do anything, isn’t that a lot harder to sell than saying, I’m really great at word processing?

But it’s also true that virtual assistants are well-rounded helpers in all kinds of ways: for the most part, we are people who enjoy being the background all-round support for an entrepreneur or other leader. So, indeed, a VA implies the skills of a generalist.

The issue is an important one for all of us VAs!

By: Lisa Olinda

Lisa Olinda — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:18:21 +0000

I was listening to something earlier today talking about find your niche and really downing those who do not have a niche.

I am a generalist who leans more towards social media and blog maintenance. I still market myself as a generalist. As a virtual executive assistant I feel like that would be the same as looking for work and saying I will only look for work in a banking office, a doctors office or a lawyers office. There are many other work venues out there and I don’t want to narrow myself down to only one category of work.

Thank you for sharing!

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:15:10 +0000

Excellent Post! I totally agree with you. When I began I never would have considered my greatest passion would be working with start up businesses and business planning strategies. I am a start to finish kinda gal and I like getting in on the ground floor.. it’s the activator in me Thanks for the Post Kathie!

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Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:43:50 +0000

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