Do I have what it takes to even start?

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I have over 20 years of secretarial experience on my resume, much of it involving heavy typing. I've created and revised proposals, technical reports, project descriptions, resumes, tables, specifications, product and project manual text, mailing labels, you name it. I've created spreadsheets in QuattroPro and Excel, however, much of what I've done is the intermediate stuff, not the advanced work where you get into those complex formulas and macros, and that includes any graphs I've worked with. My strength, and what I actually enjoy doing, are the typing tasks I've described, despite having done all of that work under deadline nearly 100% of the time.

I've also arranged travel, set up meetings and conferences and arranged for refreshments and all that jazz, but that's the part of my job I didn't enjoy much.

I've used Lotus 1-2-3, WordStar (yes, I'm dating myself), WordPerfect, Word and Excel, and am a quick learner when I have to learn a new application or skill. I even used to do shorthand at 120 wpm, but when you never use it, you lose it. I don't want that to happen to my other skills as well.

I've read the posts here and other forums, and from what I read, it's good to find a niche or specialty of some sort, but being a jack of all trades (been there, done that), is the best way to go if you want to grow your clientele.

With the skills I mentioned, do I even have a good start at least?

[sydnee21]

Unfortunately, in my 2.5 years I can't say I see a lot of data entry requests. Sure, I do get them from time to time, but they are usually short projects and are few and far between. The general admin requests that I have been getting the last 6 months usually have other specialized needs attached.

I do know VAs that specialize in resume services, especially in this economy. I also see RFPs frequently for transcription of webinars, etc if transcription is a skill you have.

Virtual Event Specialists are on the rise (coordinating webinars, podcasts, etc.) and there is training available that educates you in the process and the software that is being used most frequently right now. I know that type of thing wasn't your cup of tea before, but maybe in the virtual setting you would feel different about the coordination.

Social Media is also booming right now. (no surprise) Being able to consult, coach, plan and implement social media marketing campaigns is a big demand right now. There's training for that, as well. (Big plus with that training is it is skills you can implement into your own business)

One other frequent request I see is Wordpress Specialists.

With a strong admin background, you already have a great start. I would recommend investing into some training as that will help narrow your niche and also position you ahead of some of the competition. It's also a tax write-off. Through the training place that I use, you are only looking at a couple hundred bucks.

I consider it a very small investment, especially considering medical transcription, wordpress or some of the other niches can easily run you over a thousand for training. If you are trained and specialized, a few hundred dollars can easily be made back with 10 hours of work.

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Thanks for the advice, Syndee.

[dkramer]

Connie,

I've been a VA since 2004 but have been working from home since 1998. I was lucky enough to find a PT job in my area working at home for a rural water district (this was an amazing thing considering I live in a very rural town in KS with about 1000 people). I started out working for a VA firm and gradually began building up my own clientele. My niche has changed or maybe narrowed through the years. I started out doing anything and everything just to get my business started but as I became more sure of myself and my ability to do this I began letting go of the clients that asked for things that I really didn't want to do. I have bookkeeping background but hate doing it so I stopped. I did a lot of phone work for one of my clients and I hate doing that so I stopped (well, I do make an exception and telemarket for him about once a month but he pays a premium for it because he knows I don't like to do it). My specialty is administrative/personal assistance and that is what I have concentrated on in the last few years, and I have just started writing and that has exploded for me and is what I would love to concentrate on but I feel a loyalty to my main client and am unable to leave him, no matter how many times I try...LOL. I'll try to give you an idea of what I do because I have 2 more clients coming on that will be requiring the same things so it seems to be a popular need. My main duties are: scheduling meetings/calls/dinner/drinks, making reservations, light travel reservations, word processing, database management, Constant Contact, calendar reminders, expense reports, making appointments, placing orders for supplies or basically anything, and confirming appointments. My main client is about 20 hours per week and he is very hands on. He prefers to speak daily to at minimum check in, I send him a "What Dawn Did" email each evening (I'm supposed to but I rebel a little on this one). I know almost everything about him and probably know his preferences better than his family. This seems to be the type of client that gravitates my direction. The ones that want their assistant to be part of every aspect of their lives. It's a lot of hard work and it does have a tendency to blur the boundaries a little bit because I have developed friendships with my clients (know and have spoken to their spouses, significant others, children). All my clients are in NY and I'm in KS and I've traveled to NY three times, on the request of each one of my clients, and they have put me up, had me to dinner, had me work in their office, etc. I love it but it's definitely not for everyone. Anyways, sorry this ended up being so long, but I wanted to give you an idea of what I've seen over the past 6 years and the kind of clients that I work with and still continue to get calls from.

I think you'll be fine as long as you choose what you want to do and don't take on anything you don't want to do. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions....like I haven't already told you everything....LOL.

Dawn

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Thank you, Dawn.

[granniekins]

Hi Dawn. I was very inspired by your post. You seem like a person who works hard and knows a few tricks of the trade. I am looking into a work at home job since my husband has been laid off from his job and has disabilities. I am trying to bring income into the home and I thought you could give me a few pointers. Please send me a message and I would appreciate you input on deciding on a work at home job.
Thanks,
granniekins

[charmed]

Oh my goodness. Wordstar! I remember that! ha

I think you have an excellent start in becoming a Virtual Assistant. The trick is to pick a niche. Pick what area you want to be in. I have a free report on my virtual assistant mom site that you can grab for joining the newsletter. It goes over a few ideas.

Sometimes what you think your niche is when you first start, changes. I know mine has. It keeps getting narrower and narrower and eventually I am sure that I will have it targeted all the way down to where it needs to be. When you create a specialty niche you will be a lot happier because you just stick to doing what you like and know, and what happens is you get better and better at it.

While I still do other things for some of my clients, my niche now is becoming a essentially a blog consultant. I provide content for blogs, article marketing, and do minimal blog set ups. (wordpress (tm) You can do a LOT of levels with this idea. That link IS my affiliate link, I won't lie about that, but it is more than worth it.

But you have to decide what you want.

I would suggest you start with narrowing down what you want to do. What service you want to provide then create a website or blog that tells people what you will provide. Start a legit business, get a business license, business cards, and Then start telling people.

The truth is I have never seen a VA (or blog consultant) who has truly tried fail. There is that much need for this service.

[dkramer]

I sent you a PM.

Dawn

[jenryan9278]

IT sounds like you have a great background to get started. I have been doing it for a few clients this past year. I just let one go because of things at home that I needed to focus on. I have mainly focused on personal assistant/clerical stuff and found a few clients that worked out well. The social marketing is big right now like was posted above. You sound very experienced and would do a great job! Just try finding your niche, that is something Im still working on LOL, and give it a go. You will do great! Good Luck!