I’m on a mission here. Sure, when I first started as a VA, if I knew how to do something and a client was interested, I eagerly signed a contract. Then I found that a lot of work I was doing was boring. So I did a little self-assessment and decided that writing was what I really liked to do, so I morphed myself into an editorial virtual assistant. Even then, I found that I didn’t like some writing tasks. So, as Penny Sansevieri says, I went “an inch wide and a mile deep.”

So now, I focus on non-fiction book ghostwriting and editing and business writing (and related support for both). I’m a much happier camper. I’ve built my business up to include other Hidden Helpers and we only do writing-related tasks. Everything that doesn’t fall into my niche gets referred out. In the last 24 hours, I’ve gotten 2 requests for services that I’ve passed on to someone else. One was for editing a fiction book, and one was for doing some invoicing, order fulfillment and the like.

I have to admit, there’s a part of me that “hates” giving a client away. The bigger part of me knows that my business will grow faster and stronger if I stick to the plan of providing the best service I can in an area that I’m skilled in and enjoy. Plus, like that Earl show, I believe in good karma.