Have you defined your target market?

Many Virtual Assistants who are just getting started make one big mistake ... they think they can provide support for anyone. The question - 'Who is your target market?' often brings the response 'Oh, I can help everyone. Everybody needs my services.' While this is not exactly a false statement (many people need a variety of services that a VA can offer), it will really slow down the funnel of clients that you will attract. It doesn't matter if you are just getting started or if you are looking to expand or grow your business. Getting specific about who you are serving is the fastest way to grow your client list. By really understanding who you are serving, and how you can help them, you will be able to network with the right groups of people, you will be able to effortlessly explain how you can help them with their business, and you will really become known as an expert at what you do. Defining your target market is simple. Think of an industry that you really have an interest in - it could be something that you like to do as a hobby, or an industry that you really take an interest in. Remember that you need to be interested in what your clients do in their business, because you will be supporting them on a daily basis. For instance, you may want to work with the travel industry because you have travelled or wish to travel. This would make your work interesting every day! You can also work within an industry that you have some training or background in. Perhaps you have taken courses in something that your clients specialize in (I know a VA who is a certified sommelier and she works with independent winemakers!). Once you narrow down your target market, you can start to create your marketing materials to speak directly to that market. By being able to speak directly to their needs, you will put yourself in a much better position to work with them. You will be able to find out where they are hanging out online and offline, and you will be able to network with them. By focusing on one target market, you will increase your marketing efforts by exposing your business and your service offerings to a very specific group of people. The road to success is much shorter when you are focused and specific. So, have you defined your target market?