Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I am a Virtual Assistant specializing in Real Estate.  The trouble I`m having is that the Real Estate Market is very soft right now and a lot of agents are unresponsive.  I currently have one regular client but he`s cutting my time down due to the market conditions.  I really need this business to grow so I`m considering going outside of my niche and offering more generalized services.  Is this going to adversely affect how I market within my niche?  My website is not very specific to my niche and is very general but my marketing materials, postcards and brochures are specific to my niche. 

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Our Mission is to Serve our Clients with Professionalism and Efficiency.
www.SupportMyOffice.com

 I don`t see why you couldn`t. if you really like the real estate Niche, that great.  Maybe say you specialize in or have experience in Real Estate work, but that your skills are universal and useful to any type of company. That way you`re not closing the door to other kinds of business.


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Kim Simonds, Chief Eventor
EdgEvents You put it on. We pull it off.
www.edgevents.net
kim@edgevents.net

Why don`t you spend a few weeks researching the areas that are GROWING in 2008 vs. declining.  I haven`t done thorough research but I`m guessing things like "green", "solar power", "debt reduction", "employment assistance" etc. would be quite popular right now.  Then pick one that interests you, read a few books on the topic, talk to a couple of local business owners to see the kind of VA services they could use to help them, then position yourself to offer services in this 2nd niche.  Just a thought....

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Jeff Moore
http://www.smallbizexcel.com

I would recommend that you target your niche a little more and put a little spin on advertising!




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The Business Space
http://www.Directmatcheschicago.com

Hi Jenifer,

Even though the real estate market *is* soft, keep in mind that people are still buying and selling houses under normal circumstances.

Also, there is a huge market for foreclosures now. Maybe you should be looking at agents that specialize in foreclosures.

If this is your targeted market, I would speak to this market directly on your website.

You`ll have much more success in targeting a niche market, if your website directly addresses these potential clients.

Be certain which way you want to go. Do you want to be a generalist? Or do you want to be a REVA? Once you know that answer, speak to it on your home page so when PCs visit it, they know they`re in the right place.

Good luck!

If your website is not focused on real estate, perhaps that`s part of the problem. Maybe you need to get a little more focused there to generate more business.

If you really want to look at another niche, I`d consider a second website. Also, where I am real estate is hot in the summer and dead in the winter. If the trend is the same for your location, perhaps you could look for a niche that is busier in the winter. This will even out your workload and your cash flow.

Good luck.
Andrea



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Andrea J. Stenberg

Join me for the Build Your Business Teleseminar Series
6 Speakers, 6 Weeks, $37

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To make your search for a niche easier, here are ten questions to help you research and find a niche that’s right for you:

1.    Where is there a gap in your market that is not being filled?

2.    Which parts of your market have segments that are underserved?

3.    Where could you offer more variety to the products or services currently offered?

4.    What other options might you consider offering?

5.    What could you offer as a complementary service to better serve your customers?

6.    What is your competition not offering that would be of service to potential customers?

7.    What information can you glean from online reviews, that can help you better pinpoint what customers like and dislike about competitors?

8.    Where can you capitalize on competitor weaknesses to make them your strengths?

9.    Where do potential customers get their information?

10.Who is your potential customer? What are their needs and desires?

For more information and strategies go to www.thebalancedmarketer.com

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Molly thebalancedmarketer@gmail.com www.balancedmarketer.com

Since you're a VA, I suggest going on Linked In and getting into ALL of the real estate groups that you can.  Offer your services and insights.  Get to know people.  

 

I know a lot of people who use LI for their businesses and get the majority of their work from it.

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I don't think there's anything wrong with expanding into another niche, but as others have mentioned, you'll probably need a second website if you want to broaden your exposure...

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Affiliate marketing since 2004...
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