Trump Tariff Talk: What It Means For Admin Businesses
- Carly Hennah
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
1. Strategies to navigate tariff impacts!
Why it matters
Clients in certain sectors (like manufacturing, export-heavy industries) might cut back due to tariffs, while others (tech, consulting, digital businesses) might grow or shift operations to be leaner. If you’re overly reliant on one industry, your revenue could be at risk.
✅ What to do today:
Audit your current client list: Create a spreadsheet and group clients by industry and risk level.
Target sectors less affected by tariffs: Focus marketing towards more resilient industries like SaaS companies, solopreneurs, digital agencies, tech start-ups, e-commerce, legal firms etc.
Use platforms like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Crunchbase to find prospects in other verticals or regions.
2. Position Your Services as Cost-Saving & Revenue-Driving
Why it matters
In uncertain economic times, businesses scrutinise all spending. You need to prove your value not as a luxury, but as a smart operational investment.
✅ What to do today:
Change your pitch from "I do admin support" to "I reduce your operating costs by 30% through streamlined virtual support."
Create a Value Calculator showing how much time/money clients save by using your services vs. hiring in-house. Quantify your value in your proposals / conversations, e.g. "Saved a client 12 hours/week = £1,200 saved per month."
Create a "Cost of NOT hiring a VA" guide as a freebie/download or write a blog on the topic.
Crete content about recession-proofing with VA support (LinkedIn, newsletters, blog).
Reframe your packages: e.g., "Operations Efficiency Support", "Cost-Cutting Admin Retainer", or "Revenue-Boosting Client Support".
EXAMPLE: Position your service as the smart alternative to hiring a full-time £40k+ office Personal Assistant.
🧰 Tools:
3. Add Retainer + On-Demand Hybrid Pricing Models
Why it matters
Companies prefer predictable costs in uncertain economies.
✅ What to do today - options:
Offer Tiered Monthly plans (e.g. Bronze, Silver, Gold support packages)
Add "on-demand" admin bundles for one-off projects (research, travel planning, inbox detox)
EXAMPLE: A London-based client doesn't want £1,000/month commitment but will book 5-hour task bundles at £250 as needed.
🧰 Tools:
HelloBonsai or Dubsado – Automate proposals, packages, and billing.
Stripe payment links – For on-the-fly task bundles.
4. Add Stability- UpSkill-Focused Services
Why it matters
In crisis mode, many businesses need help with planning, re-budgeting, or customer service—areas where VAs can shine.
✅ What to do today:
Train your team in tools like Notion, Asana, ClickUp, Airtable, AI tools– offer “Crisis Workflow Setup” services.
Launch a “Business Support During Uncertainty” package—help with SOP creation, cashflow tools, and client communication.
Create micro-specialists: One VA becomes the "inbox Ninja", another the "Travel Concierge".
Partner with finance coaches or small business advisors and offer joint packages.
Resources:
Skillshare / Coursera – Upskill in project management, client comms.
Trainual – Build scalable training systems.
5. Leverage the Admin Community to Collaborate + Share Leads
Why it matters
Your admin community can become not just a support hub, but a revenue-generating, impact-driven platform during economic dips.
✅ What to do today:
Host virtual networking meet ups or there are lots online to choose from and join in E.g. The VA Lounge
Create a referral circle - one VA passes leads to others with 10% commission.
Host expert AMAs (lawyers, accountants, business advisors) on “Crisis-Proofing Your VA Business”.
Bonus: Prepare for Clients Who Might Cut Back
✅ What to do today:
Offer “pause retainers” or lower-tier packages for clients not ready to fully cancel.
Start collecting testimonials and data now that prove your ROI—use them in future pitches.
VAs are uniquely positioned to help businesses stay lean and agile during economic stress. Your job isn’t just admin anymore — it’s strategic support that keeps businesses running smoothly even when the global market doesn’t.
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