In the three years I’ve been working as a Virtual Assistant, I’ve learned there are two different approaches to working with clients as a Virtual Assistant. We all gravitate toward one or the other…and it totally impacts our success. For me, it’s really helped me to understand what approach I use so I could hone in on what services I want to offer and the type of clients I work best with.

I mean, let’s be honest–knowing your niche is the difference between fully booked Virtual Assistants and those waiting around for clients.

Here are two approaches to working with clients as a Virtual Assistant:

Do you…

  • Thrive on a good to-do list from your client?
  • Like making order from chaos in an inbox or calendar?
  • Think research is sexy?

Increasingly, I’m finding more clients who are used to having a “traditional” executive assistant but who know it’s more efficient (and cost effective) to use a Virtual Assistant for these tasks. These clients are a great fit for freelancers who have previously worked as an administrative assistant before transitioning into online work.

Virtual Assistants working in this capacity execute directives from clients beautifully. They are amazing at data entry, booking travel, and managing a client’s calendar. But they are dependent on strong leadership from their client. This can be difficult when working virtually because you can’t physically be there to hold your client’s hand. If they’re scattered and disorganized (which they probably are if they’re hiring you), it’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

Or does this sound like you?

  • Do you work best when you collaborate with your clients?
  • Are you constantly saying, “I wonder what would happen if…”?
  • Can you set up complicated systems or do specialized tasks such as podcast editing?

Many Virtual Assistants (like me) are self-taught. We come from another field but have learned the skills we need to serve our clients. Our clients depend on our creativity and ability to learn new skills quickly. Virtual Assistants who take this hybrid approach might offer specialized skills like podcast editing, copywriting, or graphic design.

While these non-traditional Virtual Assistants collaborate with their clients in new ways, they tend to try to do it all instead of choosing a few services to offer. While you can do email marketing, social media, calendar management, and copywriting for the same client, it’s not always a smart business decision. It’s also easy to under-price your services or to step into an online business manager role without realizing it.

Which should I choose?

Take five minutes to write down two lists: what you LOVE to do and how you want to work with clients. Get specific with what you want your relationship with clients to look like and what tasks will light you up even when you’re balancing a million things on your plate.

Put this list on your desk where you’ll see it every day. And every time you submit a lead or follow up on a proposal, ask yourself if yourself if this project fits that criteria. If it doesn’t, do yourself a favor and walk away.

Working within your zone of genius is about leveraging your strengths so you can serve your clients effectively. Ultimately, this will leave you with raving fans…and an inbox full of referrals.