Over the years we've had some great conversations with virtual assistants around the globe. The feedback we've received has helped us refine our message. One of our clear messages has been, "You are a business owner, not an employee."

One of the virtual assistants we've connected with is Laura Putnam of  You're the Best. It was very gratifying to receive this Facebook message from Laura a few days ago.

I want you to both know how much I appreciate all of the opportunities I had learning from you both when I started my business two years ago. I recently got involved in a collaborative business arrangement. The first week I heard two words that sent a red flag up, micromanage and nitpick from this person. As the relationship progressed I began to feel as though I was an employee...your words, you are a business owner, not an employee flew through my mind as he was criticizing me on the phone as though I was a member of his staff yesterday. Today I spoke up and terminated the collaboration, and feel awesome. You guys are the best, thank you...

If you'd like to learn more about how to run your business and not be micromanaged, read the Kindle version of The Commonsense Virtual Assistant - Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee. Then tell us about your success!

Last August we held a workshop in Vancouver British Columbia where we met attendee, Kathy Andrews. Kathy had found our workshop online and registered since she wanted to start her virtual assistant business. We've kept in touch over the past year by email and calls. Today we received this email from Kathy:

Hi Sue & Joel,

Just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for the encouragement you gave me last year when you were in Vancouver and the few months after when I was so unsure.

I have just landed my first "big" contract.  It is for a business coaching firm in San Jose.  We got together because of a LinkedIn VA discussion.  They were asking if it was possible for their meetings to be transcribed live.  All of the VAs that answered said, no, you had to record it first.  They said their meetings could not be recorded.  Then I came on and said it could be transcribed live.  I did a test run for them to show how it could work and we are now working together several times a week.

I never would have had the courage to go to these forums let alone say I could do it if it was not for the encouragement you had given to me.

Again, thanks, and enjoy your nomad life.

Kathy Andrews

Kathy told us the company was looking for 80% accuracy and she got 90% so they were very impressed! And as Joel told her, "Real-time transcription has to be nearly unique. In cases where there's a need, you probably have NO competition!"

We're glad to have been a part of helping Kathy succeed as a transcriptionist. Visit Kathy's website at http://andrewsvirtualtranscripts.com/

Are you a new or aspiring virtual assistant? You may have heard that you need to offer every service under the sun and learn all the new technology so you are prepared to assist everyone.

Or you may have heard the other extreme. Just learn one thing really well and offer that service only. Never do anything outside of that narrow service.

Let's take another look at how you can have a balanced view of your virtual assistant business.

Yes, you want to provide service to a narrow niche. Why? Two reasons come to mind:

1.  It is much easier to market your business to a specific niche. ("I provide administrative services to solopreneurs" versus "I help authors market their books by creating and implementing a marketing plan using social media")

2. Prospects are more likely to find you and become clients. (An author looking for help in implementing a social media marketing plan will find you and know you are the virtual assistant they need.)

That doesn't mean you'll never do other types of services for other type of business owners. But it will make your marketing job easier.

What niche do you serve?

We want to thank Lily for our interview in the March 2011 issue of The Virtual Evolution. If you are a virtual worker, you'll want to subscribe to this free monthly magazine loaded with valuable information to help you in your business. Check it out now!

Are you a virtual entrepreneur? What does it take to be a virtual entrepreneur? Lauri Smedley, a professor with over 20 years of teaching experience, has written the book, Virtual Entrepreneurship: Creating and Operating a Home-based Online Business. In the book you will learn how to get started and the dos and don'ts of virtual entrepreneurship from practicing virtual entrepreneurs from around the world.

Professor Smedley also hosts a weekly radio show about business, entrepreneurship, online businesses, and educating people about how to create and operate their own home-based virtual businesses. Joel and I will be her guests on March 14, 2011.

To learn more about virtual entrepreneurship, visit Professor Smedley's page on Facebook.

We want to hear from you. What questions do you have about virtual entrepreneurship? Are you a successful virtual entrepreneur? Ask you questions and tell us your success stories!