I belong to a number of VA chat forums and the common request from new VAs on all the lists, is ‘how do I get started?’

I encourage you to read through the archives on those forums – it will help give you a foundation to build upon and start putting you on the same level playing field as those who have already begun. There’s a steep learning curve in front of you. You’ll find a lot of answers at http://vadirectory.blogspot.com/2006/01/advice-for-new-vas.html and other posts on this blog. If you use the search feature at the top you’ll also be able to find other VA blogs dedicated to assisting you in your quest for information.

Something you do need to take note of, and that is, whilst the chat forums are free, to benefit from many of the networks and what they offer to VAs, there will usually be a membership fee involved. I know that a lot of people think it’s on the Internet and it should be free, but let’s take a look at this for a moment. If you have a secretarial background, chances are you belonged to an industry (secretarial or professional administrative) association whilst in your corporate job that related to your industry. As with a graphic designer, web designer, IT support, bookkeeper, there are also industry associations. Memberships to these come at a cost and are tax deductible – as is your membership to a VA network or association.

With the ‘physical’ associations you belonged to, there would have been an annual fee, a monthly publication, invitations to monthly networking or educational events, perhaps one or two annual events (like the popular Administrative (or Office) Professionals Day breakfasts) and there might have been an accreditation or certification program. Unless you’d formed a close bond with another member it is unlikely you had daily contact with your peers.

With the ‘virtual’ association or network there are usually free chat forums which allow you constant (daily, if you want) contact with your peers and free advice, and with paid membership there will be additional items which might include web page listing, materials (books and other products), advertising programs, job referrals, direct client contact, web hosting and/or web design, mentoring and/or coaching, discounted services or products from partner suppliers, training and so on. Some might hold events with discounts to members of those networks. Others may have medical or insurance plans in place (usually country specific). All of this requires someone (or sometimes several someones) at the other end maintaining databases, websites, tracking information, passing (client) information on, answering questions by phone or email, helping members (particularly the new ones) and sourcing more benefits, in other words Association Management.

Association Management is a service that some VAs provide to membership groups (like business councils, industry associations, sporting groups, etc) to look after their membership base, bookkeeping, database and websites, as well as organise events, take minutes of meetings and so on. Most VA networks have been developed along similar lines but it is hard for a member of any association or network to see what goes on behind the lines.

I encourage you to look at the different networks around and view what they have on offer to their members and what might suit you best. If you are able to join their chat forums before becoming a (paid) member, then I suggest you do, so you can get a feel for the group and how well you would fit in, and more to the point, how much you might learn. Two great sites that list different VA networks are: Work The Web and Alliance for Virtual Business. Both sites have lots of interesting information about the VA industry in general as well. Happy reading! KMT

Well, OIVAC was a success and we had a lot of people in attendance – and I’ve heard from many who really enjoyed themselves.

Congratulations to Sharon Williams and Heather Jacobson on their award wins. This was a difficult process as the Steering Committee wanted to distance themselves from the selection process (especially since many of us were also nominated) so a coaching group were engaged to assist with the process – a learning process for all as we needed to ensure they understood what VAs were all about, but also what the award was about. Unlike some of the awards processes in the world, we hadn’t opened the nominations up to a voting process so it didn’t matter how many times someone was nominated for an award – it was their contribution to the industry that was assessed.

There were things we learnt in the process of the whole convention with respect to registrations for seminars, etc and whilst we might prepare for things a little differently next year, on the whole it went quite smoothly. Congratulations to all involved as there was a lot of work and lot of long hours invested in this convention.

The 3rd Friday in May is now officially registered with Chases Calendar of Events for International Virtual Assistants Day so make sure it is marked in your calendars for next year – the Convention will start the evening before (17-19May 2007). KMT

Well the first Online International Virtual Assistants Convention has finished. The booths for the Trade Expo will be open till end June I believe. The seminars, if you registered for them, are available to log into and listen to still – if you didn’t get to the presentation at the time it was running. But basically it is over until next year.

Mark it in your computer calendar – 3rd Friday in May is now officially International Virtual Assistants Day and hopefully we’ll start seeing this reflected in printed calendars before too long. So the convention will run from 17 – 19 May 2007 (US) – here in Australia it will actually start on the morning of Friday 18th May because of the time difference.

If you are a VA, or looking to become one, and didn’t attend, you missed a fantastic opportunity to learn about this industry but don’t despair – you can still visit the booths. Same if you are looking to use a VA for your business and you want to understand the industry more.

I want to thank all of those who sent me their congratulations and best wishes during the convention, via my booth or by email – I really appreciate your encouragement and support. I thoroughly enjoyed being involved, getting to know some of the ‘senior’ VAs globally and working alongside them. I was honoured in being asked to MC the Awards Ceremony and really enjoyed the process. I look forward to seeing what next year will bring! KMT

To the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention. There are paid sessions and free sessions so you would be most welcome to come along and visit!

Readers of this blog will know by now that I was nominated for an award – I didn’t win it but I was given the wonderful honour of being the Master of Ceremonies for that event after it became evident (to the steering committee) that the winner was the lady who was originally planned to be the MC. So the reigns were handed to me and I spent some time going through presentation papers, checking up on things – the homework that was required to do the best possible job. Seemed almost strange to be involved in such an event and not be dressed for the occasion – instead I was almost fresh out of bed (by one hour) and in casual clothing – I just can’t get the mindset right if I’m still in PJs. I guess I could have stayed in my dressing gown – that way I would have been in a long gown

Anyway, it’s not too late to still drop in and check out the festivities – click here for an update of the schedule! Make sure you visit the exhibitor booths, attend networking events and get to meet many of the leaders of the VA industry. Perhaps I’ll see you there! Why not drop by my booth? KMT

The Online International Virtual Assistants Convention is almost here – the inaugural, the first event! And it’s shaping up to be quite an event.

Anyone who gets involved on a voluntary basis to help set up a major event, and still run their business (not to mention family) at the same time must surely be eligible for the insanity award. The past couple of weeks have been frantic – meetings, hundreds of emails (it’s felt like that), discussions, setting up timetables for speakers, sponsors, volunteers and moderators, and so on, and then having to re-arrange things – and work it all out over several different timezones has certainly meant that life has not been boring for any one of the steering committee involved. Plus training sessions for using the technology and showing the extra volunteers for the 3 days, plus the speakers, how it’s all going to work!

The group of women I’ve been working with for what is probably close to six months now, are quite a diverse and talented group and it’s been a privilege to be a member of the team. I have gotten to know a number of them much more and I know that many of us will maintain friendships for a lifetime. It’s wonderful that operating a truly virtual business can bring you friends and contacts from all over the world.

If you haven’t yet checked out what this convention is about, make sure you do today – because it’s only hours away now before beginning.

Oh, and don’t forget – 19th May is officially International Virtual Assistants Day for this year. And the celebration will continue annually on the third Friday of May. KMT

I’ve been nominated for International Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award through the Online International Virtual Assistant Convention. This is an inaugural award and I know that there will be many leaders, and movers and shakers of the VA industry nominated, so I’ll be up against some pretty stiff competition. However, just to be nominated is an honour in itself.

The ceremony will take place on May 19th during the VA Day Event which begins at 5:30 pm. EST (NY time). Why not come along to learn about all the nominees and see who the winner is?

To access the event, go to http://www.oivac.com and click on the Visit Convention link on the right side of the page. Follow the links from there to the event. The room will be accessible only during the scheduled time. KMT