Over the years I’ve watched the Virtual Assistant forums grow and evolve into really active, useful sources of information, resources, lists of all sorts of things, great communities for connection.
Many hold folders of links where members can list sites that have been really useful to them in their businesses or with samples of brochures, contracts and all other sorts of materials that have helped them in business.
The forums have become a hub of very useful information discussing all manner of things from how to get their first client, to handling a situation they had not come across before, locating suitable software to support a client need, to creating their first websites and so many other things.
It is important though, to remember, that the forums are generally not for begging other members for work, contacting them offlist and promoting your own services, or bringing in discussions that really are not related to the main topic – being a Virtual Assistant.
If you are new to chat forums it would be well worth your while to sit and lurk for awhile. By that I mean just read the messages that come through and watch how others respond. Read any rules that might apply on the forum home page or the messages sent to you on joining and also go through the message archives on the forum website to get a feel for past discussions and appropriate forum etiquette.
Don’t jump in too quickly with lots of questions – watch, learn and listen. What is accepted on one forum may not be acceptable on another so rather then blunder your way in and get reprimanded or bumped off the forum, it’s much better to tread lightly at first and slowly settle into the culture of that group. Because each group does have its own culture that gradually forms and develops as the membership grows.
I began Virtual Assistants International Group (VAIG) in 1998 originally for “A Clayton’s Secretary” members only but later opened up to all VAs – both new and experienced in 2004. The list got shifted around a few times until we eventually settled at yahoogroups in 2003. We currently have just under 1,000 members and although it has the appearance of being a mainly Australian group, the reality is that the most active chatty members are based in Australia but we do have members in many other countries too.
I also own and manage a mainly US based VA forum called Virtual Assistants Discussion Group. This was begun by another VA in 1998 also and was handed over to me a few years ago as she was moving on and I was one of the most active members on the list. Again, this has just under 1,000 members with a handful of the same people across both groups. Both have quite a different feel about them in the form of chat and culture.
It is important to note that these forums are for those interested in being a VA and are generally not for others who are curious about the industry. We’ve had people come in from time to time and it’s become obvious that they aren’t VAs and they’re just there to promote whatever they do to the community.
I began writing this blog a few years ago to help educate the public about our industry from things learnt in the forums but also to assist new and existing VAs in their chosen career path.
virtual assistant forums, discussion groups, VA education, Virtual Assistant industry
Kathie is the former owner of VA Directory and is former past President of the Australian VA Association. She founded the Virtual Assistant industry in Australia in the mid 90s, having already been operating a home-based secretarial service. Today the VA industry covers a multitude of office-based services for clients worldwide.
Sherra Scott ~ Virtual Assistant says
Thank you for posting about this Kathie. While I completely understand how people get excited to find a forum that could answer the nagging questions they may have, so they sometimes jump the gun and violate the rules because they didn’t take the time to read the group rules. While I understand the excitement, that doesn’t make it any less annoying. Many times a new member asks questions that are easily answered by doing a simple search of the group messages.
Ronnelle Melwood says
Hi Kathie,
As a VA newbie, your advice is well received. I confess to being a “lurker” and as a result have gained valuable information. I make it a habit to copy and file away for future use information that may not be pertinent to me at this stage but will come in handy as I grow. Thanks for the lesson in “forum etiquette”!
Lyn Prowse-Bishop says
I guess I can understand some more long-term members’ “annoyance” at newbie questions but I guess we all started somewhere. I agree that it’s important newbies familiarise themselves with the rules of a particular forum first before jumping in, but on my own list I encourage newbies to speak up and ask as many questions as they can since the members are all highly experienced and a great source of info. Those more seasoned members also know to expect newbie questions, some repetition, and to help out as much as possible in a spirit of paying it forward.
I find that on the whole, on my list, newbies are more reluctant to jump in with questions for fear of sounding silly – when in fact the reverse is the case and as it doesn’t contravene my group’s rules, should ask as many questions as they can, even if it’s been discussed before! 🙂
(http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/avbn_list/)
Kathie Thomas says
I don’t have a problem with newbies asking the same questions Lyn but rather just wish to encourage them to settle into the way any forum runs before embarrassing themselves by performing what might be seen as a ‘no no’ on some lists. And that can amount to anything.
Leslie Sansone Williams says
I have found it very helpful to read a forum’s guidelines before “jumping in”. It just helps me understand what is expected. I recently joined a VA forum whose rules advise that a search should be performed on the forum itself to see if a question has been asked before.
I found this to be good advice. And, indeed, I find what I am looking for in almost every case. If not, then I will certainly pose a question to the group.
I agree that it’s important to get a “lay of the land” first.
Leslie
Teri Dempski says
Great advice, Kathie. Excellent discussion, too.
Katie Baird says
Terrific idea for a post, Kathie (smacking my own head as I realize what a great idea it is!).
I will strive to include this post in my next roundup of useful resources!