Opportunistic or Specialized? How Abigail Found Success as a VA
Athika Rahma
SEO Specialist Virtual Assistant at SGBVA
Becoming a Virtual Assistant (VA) opens up a world of opportunities—flexible work, international clients, and the freedom to shape your own career. But for beginners, there’s often one big question: should you say yes to every job that comes your way to build experience, or is it wiser to focus on one niche and establish yourself as an expert?
Both paths have their own challenges, and finding the right approach often involves trial and error. Abigail, an alumnus of the SGB VA Course batch 15, knows this struggle well. She once faced the same dilemma before finding the strategy that worked best for her.
How Abigail Started Her VA Journey
Abigail first came across the VA world through an SGB VA Course advertisement on social media.
“At that time, I was actively looking for a course that matched my interests. When I saw an ad about working from home with a salary in dollars, I was immediately intrigued,” she recalled.
Before that moment, she had never even heard of Virtual Assistance. And with so much misinformation about VA jobs online—especially concerns about scams—she hesitated. But her desire for a flexible work-from-home career ultimately convinced her to take the leap.
After completing the course and learning the ropes, Abigail started searching for clients on Upwork. She landed her first client from Saudi Arabia, but the project was short-lived.
Like many new VAs, she initially took on any job she could find. Her goal at the time was simple: earn some extra income and make use of her free time outside of her office job. But as time went on, she realized that this approach wasn’t as effective as she had hoped.
“I was struggling to build a strong personal brand because I was trying to do too many things at once,” she admitted.
Read more: Story of Ebi: From 8+ Years as a Nurse to Social Media Manager in the Medical Field
The Reality of Being an Opportunistic VA
At first, saying “yes” to everything seemed like a smart move. Abigail got hands-on experience with different types of VA tasks and gained insight into various industries. But there was a downside: her portfolio lacked focus, and she found it difficult to market herself effectively.
“I used to accept all kinds of jobs. But because my work wasn’t specialized, my portfolio felt all over the place. That made it harder to attract the right clients,” she explained.
Being a generalist VA does have its perks. It offers flexibility—you can take on a variety of tasks and adapt to changing market demands. But it also has its drawbacks. Without a clear niche, it’s tough to stand out.
Abigail learned that while she was capable of handling multiple tasks, clients often preferred specialists—especially for more complex, high-value projects.
Finding Her Specialization
After struggling to market herself as a jack-of-all-trades VA, Abigail decided to shift gears and focus on branding and email marketing.
“The course helped me understand how to promote myself and build a business mindset. That’s when I realized that success isn’t just about having skills—it’s about having the right strategy,” she said.
She started honing her expertise in email marketing, diving deep into audience segmentation, copywriting, and campaign strategies. Over time, she became skilled in creating email content, setting up automation, and analyzing campaign performance.
By narrowing her focus to branding and email marketing, she was finally able to build a more structured and targeted portfolio—one that made it easier for clients to see her true value.
Read more: Work from Home but Earn Dollars: Ardin’s Success Story in Getting 9 Clients
The Biggest Shift in Her Career
One of the most eye-opening realizations Abigail had was about business itself.
Before becoming a VA, she believed that building a business required a large investment and years of experience. But through her journey, she learned that sometimes, all it takes is an idea and the determination to see it through.
“The rest? You learn and improve along the way,” she said.
She also became more intentional about finding the right clients. Instead of accepting any job that came her way, she became selective, making sure that every project she took on aligned with her career goals.
With this new clarity, she not only started attracting better clients but also gained the confidence to market herself as a true expert in her field.
“Thank God, earlier this month, I started working with my second client,” she shared.
Beyond just skills, Abigail realized that being a VA is also about networking and community. She actively participates in VA groups and forums, engages in discussions, and shares her experiences with others.
Being part of the SGB VA community also played a big role in keeping her motivated.
“Seeing so many experienced VAs still eager to learn and grow pushes me to keep improving. That has been one of the most inspiring parts of this journey,” she added.
Abigail’s Tips for Aspiring VAs
Abigail believes that whether you choose to be a generalist or a specialist depends on your personal goals. However, based on her experience, she strongly recommends focusing on a niche. Here are her key takeaways:
- Don’t be overly opportunistic – Taking on too many random jobs can make your portfolio look scattered and unfocused.
- Pick a niche and stick to it – Choose a field that excites you or plays to your strengths, and invest time in mastering it.
- Build a solid portfolio – A clear specialization makes it easier for clients to recognize your expertise and trust you with high-value projects.
- Learn how to market yourself – The right marketing strategies will help you attract clients who genuinely need your services.
Read more: From Doubt to Confidence: Rifka’s Story of Becoming a Virtual Assistant
Become a Specialist VA That Clients Need
For those who love variety and adaptability, being a generalist VA can be a great path. But if you want to accelerate your growth and attract premium clients, specializing in a specific field is the smarter move.
Abigail’s journey is proof that focus and strategy can transform your VA career. By honing her expertise in branding and email marketing, she now works with clients that align with her skills, giving her both stability and confidence in her profession.
If you’re ready to carve your own path as a specialist VA and attract high-value clients, you’re in the right place! The SGB VA Course will guide you from identifying your niche to practicing real-world client work.
Want to learn more about the SGB VA Course? Join a free webinar with SGB VA mentor Tania Gromenko! Click the link below to register before slots run out.
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