Philip Arowolo
@philiparowolo064949
1 year ago

My Agribusiness Journey and the Challenges of Virtual Assistance

I have always been passionate about agriculture and the potential it has to improve the lives of people and the environment. I grew up in Ilorin, Kwara State, in North Central , Nigeria, a rural area where farming was one of the main sources of income and livelihood for many families. I witnessed the challenges and opportunities that farmers faced every day, such as weather, pests, diseases, market access, and quality standards. I also learned the value of hard work, innovation, and resilience from my parents and grandparents, who were all farmers themselves.

When I finished my secondary education, I decided to pursue a degree in Economics at the University of Ilorin. There, I gained more knowledge and skills in various aspects of economic analysis which can be used to make policies and strategies that could improve the welfare of farmers. I also participated in several extracurricular activities and projects that exposed me to the latest trends and technologies in the agricultural sector, such as precision farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, biotechnology, and digital marketing.

After graduating from university, I came heard about Virtual Assistant as a Career Path and I believe it's a path that could help combine my passion for agriculture with my interest in technology and innovation. I decided to become a virtual assistant who specializes in agribusiness.

A virtual assistant is someone who provides professional services remotely using various online tools and platforms. A virtual assistant can perform various tasks and functions for a client, such as administrative support, data entry, research, content creation, social media management, customer service, etc.

I chose to become a virtual assistant because I wanted to have more flexibility and freedom in my work. I wanted to work from anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. I wanted to have more control over my income and expenses. I wanted to have more opportunities for learning and growth.

I also specifically chose to specialize in agribusiness because I wanted to apply my skills and experience in a sector that I was passionate about. I wanted to help farmers, agribusinesses, consumers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain. I wanted to contribute to the development and transformation of the agricultural sector.

One of the challenges was finding the right niche and target market for my services. There were many existing virtual assistants who offered similar or related services to clients in various sectors and industries. How could I differentiate myself from the competition and attract the right clients for my services?

Another challenge was finding the right platform and channel for promoting my services. There were many online platforms and websites that connected clients with virtual assistants, such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, etc. However, these platforms were often crowded with many other virtual assistants who competed for the same clients and projects. How could I stand out from the crowd and showcase my value proposition and expertise?

A third challenge was finding the right pricing strategy and model for my services. I wanted to charge a fair price that reflected the quality and value of my services, as well as covered my operational costs and living expenses. However, I also had to consider the budget and expectations of my clients, as well as the market rates and trends of other virtual assistants. How could I balance between earning enough income and satisfying my clients?

To overcome these challenges, I have decided to use various strategies and tactics that helped me market myself and my services effectively.

One of the strategies was finding a niche within a niche . Instead of offering general or generic services to any client in any sector, I have decided to focus on a specific segment
of clients within the agribusiness sector.

For example , instead of offering data entry services to any agribusiness , I have decided to offer data entry services to organic farmers who needed help with managing their certification records . By doing this, I will able to narrow down my target market and create a unique value proposition
for them .

Another strategy was creating a personal brand and an online presence . Instead of relying on third-party platforms or websites to promote my services , I have decided to create my own website and social media accounts that showcased my personality , skills , experience , portfolio , testimonials , etc . By doing this , I will be able to build trust and credibility with potential clients and establish myself as an authority and an expert in my niche .

A third strategy was using value-based pricing and offering packages . Instead of charging by the hour or by the project , I have decided to charge based on the value
and the results that I delivered to my clients .

For example , instead of charging N5,000 per for data entry , I have decided to charge N50,000 per month for data entry plus data analysis , data visualization data reporting , etc . By doing this , I will able to increase my income and provide more value and benefits to my clients .

With these strategies , I believe that I will able to overcome the marketing challenges that I faced as a virtual assistant in agribusiness . I will be able to find and attract more clients who needed and appreciated my services . I will be able to create and deliver more value and impact for my clients and their businesses . I will be able to grow and scale my business and income .

But more importantly , I believe I will be able to fulfill my passion and purpose in agriculture. I will be able to contribute to the society by helping farmers, agribusinesses , consumers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain . I will be able to support the development and transformation of the agricultural sector .

My agribusiness journey as a virtual assistant will definitely be a rewarding and fulfilling one , thanks to the power and potential of online tools and platforms . They have enabled me to pursue my dream and make a difference in the world . They have also opened up new opportunities and possibilities for me and others who share the same vision and passion for agriculture.

#Learning #virtual_assistant #agribusiness #vacourse

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