Blogging for the general public – TAMT

I’ve been learning about Blogs for a couple of months now and joined a chat forum to learn more about it (see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ezinesandblogs/ if interested in joining). I want to see the Blog I write to be one that will assist those learning about the Virtual Assistant Industry to understand it better, what it is, how people can become a VA or how a client can use a VA. The chat forums available for VAs are very useful (see http://www.allianceforvirtualbiz.com for a list of VA networks and related chat groups) and assist VAs to learn more about their industry but for many who want to become a VA, it is often frustrating to be told by existing VA members that they need to go through the archived messages or do some reading before asking questions that are asked over and over again. Granted, you have to learn somewhere, somehow, but it can still be frustrating I’m sure.

And for those who want to know how to use a VA and how they can be sure that the VA they’ve chosen is capable of the work they want done, this too can be a frustrating exercise. There are a number of VA training organisations, certifications, etc designed to assist the VA to develop themselves and also to assure clients that they are getting suitably qualified people to provide services for them. That is not to say that a VA that doesn’t have VA certifications or accreditations isn’t suitable for the work you want done – many have come from corporate backgrounds with many, many years of experience in the very services they offer. It is important though, to ask questions and verify or qualify their experiences.

So, it is my plan that this Blog will assist both the wannabe VA and the client who is learning how to use a VA. Consequently I welcome questions – either via email direct to me, or via the comments function on this Blog.

I hope this year was a good one for you and that you are now spending time planning and preparing for an even better year in 2006.

These are my thoughts – Kathie M. Thomas