When you choose a target market, you learn about what they do in their business – how they find their clients, how they work with their clients, and what kinds of things they need help with in their business. After learning the ins and outs of what they do, you can speak very clearly about how your services will support them.
We are back with another VA Snapshot episode of The Ridiculously Good VA Show, where we talk about the specific services that Virtual Assistants can offer different target markets.
Choosing a target market helps you learn about what they do in their business – how they find their clients, how they work with their clients, and what kinds of things they need help with in their business. After learning the ins and outs of what they do, you can speak much more clearly about how your can support them with your services.
Why is this essential? Because you truly understand how their business runs, and what you can do to help them keep it running smoothly and growing.
That’s the key to working with a target market. That you find large groups of clients that all need the same services and support – it makes getting lots of great clients so much easier.
I am Tracey DAviero, Virtual Assistant Coach and Trainer and in this series, we are going to dive into 25 or 30 different industries and professions that use Virtual Assistants, and I’ll share what kinds of tasks you can do for them.
Then you just need to decide who you can best support, and start connecting with them!
In this episode we will be talking about non profits and associations.
Click the play button above to tune in, or choose your favourite podcast player below:
Connect with Tracey D’Aviero, VA Coach and Trainer
Episode Notes:
Today we are going to talk about the services a VA can offer to non profits and associations.
A virtual assistant can be a valuable asset for non-profits and associations, helping them save money instead of bringing on full time staff. VAs can also scale their workload up and down as need be, around fundraising events and projects. VAs also offer specialized expertise without the need of hiring multiple staff members. Focusing on their core mission is always the most important thing for non profits, and having qualified VAs look after the routine tasks, the leadership and staff can spend more time and energy dedicated to strategic planning, program development and stakeholder relationships.
I’ve done some work with non profits an associations, but it was never my specialty, so I want to just put a caveat in here that there may be different or other services they also require. These episodes are designed to give you ideas.
So, here are some services a VA can offer to non-profits and associations
Administrative Tasks
Like many other industries, admin tasks are some of the most in demand for non profits. There is often a lot of communication via email, inquiries and more. Calendar management, data entry, document prep and membership management are key areas that a VA can help as well. Busy non profits may even need more than one VA to handle the variety of tasks they need.
Communication and Outreach
Getting the word out about programs and events is equally important, as they are often tied to fund raising initiatives. Social media can be limited to just posting, or can include engaging with followers and also tracking analytics, and managing their online pages or communities. Newsletters and email campaign management, website updates, and online event support is also essential. Especially with more meetings taking place virtually now, it is a great service to offer – even attending the meetings and taking minutes, or just scheduling and managing.
Fundraising and Donor Management
As I mentioned, fundraising is usually a huge part of the non profit business model and it takes more than just watching the money come in. Donor research, grant research and writing, donation tracking, donor communication and appreciation, and fundraising events coordination and very valuable services for non profits.
Being able to manage projects and events is not in the wheelhouse of all VAs, but with an event-heavy industry like non profits, it’s necessary to ace this. Managing task lists, timelines, communications and deadlines, often involving many individuals – staff, vendors, and attendees, can be challenging and requires a high level of organization.
Research and Reporting
Ah a task that VAs love – being able to gather relevant data about industry trends, competitors, policies, legislation, and being able to compile and analyze that data, is an excellent service offerings.
Volunteer Coordination
Non profits often rely heavily on volunteers – and being able to recruit, schedule, train and manage those volunteers well is essential. Creating and updating training materials for the volunteers is part of that too.
Financial Assistance
Money, money, money – that which keeps the non profit running! Financial help is a key role, with monitoring and categorizing expenses, preparing reports and statements and helping with budgets. There may be a bookkeeping in place for this role since it’s so important for non profits, but there is still plenty of assistance a VA can provide, probably at a lower rate than the bookkeeper.
Translation and Multilingual Support
Being able to offer communication in more than one language can also be helpful, especially if your non profit or association is national. Diversity is very prevalent in non profits, and being able to communicate with people in their native language is key.
IT and Technical Support
Not just the virtual and in person events need tech support, but often the association websites are an essential tool for their everyday operations – and donations. Being able to help with software, hardware, tech issues, security, ecommerce and more is an excellent service for a VA to provide.
Content Creation
And finally, content creation. The success of any non profit or association depends on getting the work, programs, and needs in front of the audience that they need to see it. Blog writing and social media content, graphic design and marketing materials and presentations are required for every day
How does all that sound? You don’t have to offer all of these services to non profits – but do you see how you can do exactly what you want to do (and are skilled at) to give really good support to this kind of client?
That’s the reason for this series – as I continue to say, I have not supported all of these industries I’ll cover, so I’m not an expert in each industry – but I’m happy to be able to share some of the opportunities you can pursue if you decide to work with non profits.
I actually used think that non profits were not a good VA client because of their budget constraints, but when I started realized all the things they needed – and the way I know that a VA saves business owners money, I realized it was a great niche.
Non profits can absolutely benefit from hiring one or more VAs to help them with their business. Cost effectiveness is one of the key factors, and getting great support from VAs when they need it can help them control their operational budget much more easily.
And they can access a wide range of skills without the need for full-time hires. Win win for everyone!
So, do you want to support tradespeople? It’s a super target market!
Put together an attractive package of services for non profits today and start connecting with them.
And be sure to tune in to the other VA Snapshots in this series to learn more about other industries that might be a good fit for you.
I can help…
What You Need to Do Next:
I want you to know that I can help you do this stuff in your business. That’s literally the reason I am here. To help you become a ridiculously good VA.
I’ve helped hundreds of VAs through challenges just like yours, and got them on their way to growing their business and the lifestyle that they dream of. That you dream of.
I’d love to do the same for you.
Let’s work together privately to get you to your really big goal. It’s the fastest way to get results and we can start right away. Learn more about private coaching here.
The Virtual Circle (TVC) is a monthly mastermind group for Virtual Assistants just like you. We get together 3 times a month for group Zoom sessions to talk about what you are struggling with, working on, or celebrating. It’s a close knit community of your VA colleagues that provides the best kind of support for your VA business. Learn more about TVC here.
My self study program Getting Started as a VA can help you get your VA business started easily and quickly too. You can sign up right away and be on your way to getting clients by the end of the program, with all the right foundations in place. Check out the program here.
Reach out to me if you need to talk about where you are stuck and what the right option might be to get you moving. It’s literally all I’m here to do is help you get to where you want to go. Book a complimentary Cut to the Chase call with me here.