Recent posts at a VA forum has made me wonder just how much do Virtual Assistants (and other self-employed) value the importance of their own self education. It is oh-so-easy just to quit and give up and move on to something else if it doesn’t work out. When in reality, if people were just prepared to take the time to learn and listen from others who are more experienced, they may well succeed.
To quote one long-term VA from the forum:
A lot of VAs have started and quit early because they just don’t have what it takes to work for themselves. I believe you have to have the “I will not take no for an answer” attitude to want to work from home and be successful at it. By having this attitude, you will find the means to get what it takes to stay in your home-based business.
Another responded with:
I would have to agree with Linda. Being successful as a VA means you have to not only work on getting more clients but diversify and educate yourself to do more and improve.
Which prompted a further response from me because that last sentence hit the nail on the head.
Here! Here! I agree, which is why I’m always perplexed as to why there aren’t a lot more VAs attending conferences or events designed to help them improve and educate themselves for better businesses.
I’m running a conference here in Australia in March for the VA industry and although we do have bookings they are only half what I was expecting. Why is this I wonder? Does no-one value the importance of self-education?
And so I raise this question here. For those who want to advance in this industry and learn from their peers, and learn about things they can do to grow their businesses, why don’t they take the opportunity to attend events when they are organised? IVAA runs their Summit, OIVAC has an annual online convention and we have the Australian VA Conference in Melbourne next month. And there are more held in the US and also an annual event in the UK.
I encourage all Virtual Assistants – new, intermediate and experienced, to consider that these events are put on to assist you in your businesses and give you the opportunity to learn from others in a condensed period of time. I guarantee you will go away enthused, encouraged, motivated and ready to move to the next level.
By the way, it’s not too late to book for the AustralianVAConference (AVAC) – which is being held on 12/13 March in Melbourne.
Addendum: To clarify, AVAC has a great lineup of speakers and presenters and we do have a good number of bookings – but I am aware there are many VAs here in Australia who have asked for conferences over the years and/or others who have said they’re coming but I haven’t seen their bookings yet. Would be great to have a really big turnout for our first event.
Nancy Seeger says
I absolutely agree – attending conferences in your chosen profession is a key ingredient to continuing your education and keeping up with industry best practices. Who else but leaders in your industry can help pass along knowledge and practices that can help us improve as VAs.
IVAA feels so strongly about conferences they have both a Live and Online format to make them accessible to all VAs at affordable rates.
But additionally, attending classes and events to particular niche offerings is necessary as well. If you do web design, you need to stay on top of information on html, css and design. For example, I see a lot of work done in just html and not xhtml which is the standard version used with your average Word Press blog. Add to that many still don’t understand CSS an essential necessity to web design. For that niche its crucial to stay on top of industry standards for web sites, otherwise you are quickly left in the dust. Take classes, many are free and even more are online. : )
Perhaps though, the VA industry isn’t in the habit of attending conferences and it will take a while to make the case of its value. I’m delighted to see AVAC doing a conference – wishing you all a great event in Australia!
Mary H Ruth says
You’re to be highly commended for doing the Conference, Kathie, and even if the crowd is small, everyone will get a lot out of it.
I think you have to remember that the economy’s still tight, and so much info can be obtained without leaving your house. So expensive to travel. Best you can do as a conference producer is show peeps what they’ll get at a conference that’s not available online.
Kathie Thomas says
Thanks Nancy and Mary for your encouragement and support.
Mary, I don’t believe the cost of coming to the conference is that high, especially for those who live in the same state where it’s being held. They can go home instead of booking accomm.
I think one of the best value benefits of attending is actually meeting people face-to-face and forging relationships that can last for years. There’s nothing like being physically at an event and not having the distractions of the home or office.
Nancy Seeger says
Yes, many great things to pick from are available online. But you can’t get face to face time, invaluable networking that may lead to more opportunities or inspire you and focused learning free from office distractions.
At our IVAA conferences, we hear story after story of VAs who have successfully launched their practices following attending a live conference. There just is nothing like a Live event. Fun though online events are and are very valuable, they just aren’t the same.
Sharon Williams says
As a person that has coordinated and attended both live and online convention, I have experienced the advantages (and disadvantages) of each. But, I also know that it is truly a disadvantage if we choose not to attend either (on or offline conferences).
As a result of the additional education courses I have enrolled in this year, I am launching a new company division, have met and networked with a brand new audience of potential customers, and have increased income opportunities available. I’m giving a presentation to a major client industry and have been signed to be a speaker during a 13 city tour — of which I have selected 5 to present at this year and will expand to all 13 next year. And all of this stems from obtaining additional training and education, (which began with attending VA industry off and online events).
It may be tough, and the economy may be a factor, but I suggest you save your nickles and dimes and attend at least one VA-industry event, be it on or offline. You will get so much from it, education-wise, networking-wise and potential business-wise. Kathie’s conference is a good place to start — and March isn’t that far off. Then stick your head into OIVAC (http://www.oivac.com) set for May 20-22, 2010. In any case, support your industry and take advantage of the educational opportunities available. You won’t regret it!
Imie says
Thanks for quoting me Kathy,
It always amazes me how some VA say they are struggling for work when there’s so much work.
But the available work has to do with the adaptation of new technologies, especially new media and web 2.0.
Training and continuing education is a MUST for most industries – why not VA?
I personally have not attended any live conferences – only online which is convenient for me and when I attend an online seminar, I have to make sure that the topic is specifically geared to what I need to improve on.
I also agree that economy might be a factor but if one is serious about making more money, then the business expense is really justified.
Kathie Thomas says
Considering that most of ‘professional’ VAs come from the corporate world, it should mean we are already used to attending training events and conferences. So what’s the difference? We’re paying for it ourselves. What price education? That depends on how much you want to move on with your business. Or maybe it’s because we’ve gotten so used to being inside our own 4 walls we don’t want to go out anymore, we’ve become hermits. 😉 At any rate the educational events, sessions, conferences, etc are put on for the benefit of both individuals and the industry as a whole.
Anita Kilkenny says
As far as I’m concerned the GFC is virtually non-existent in Australia, so it can’t really be used as an excuse not to invest in your own professional development. Not even the online conferences cost so little as AVAC.
As most VAs are home-based operators, making the time to attend these kinds of events is very important. Time also not an excuse not to attend. We are business operators and can decided what hours we work and what events we should attend. It’s as easy as blocking it out in your Calendar and committing to it.
I reiterate the comments already been made. Many have asked for a F2F Conference, this one is Australian based and has Australian content – not to say that VAs from overseas would not benefit from the topics being presented – and it is a great excuse to meet fellow VAs in the flesh in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Debra says
Thanks for this article Kathie. I agree entirely with all your comments on the need for continued professional development and believe that this is essential whether you have your own business or not. Even if you are able to get the information online, a conference provides so much more than just what is on stage for you to take in. Networking and building strong relationships is a huge factor for me when attending any function in person.
I agree with Anita that the GFC is ‘virtually non-existent in Australia’, however, there may be many other factors that will hinder one’s ability to attend.
Unfortunately, I for one will not be able to attend Kathie’s conference for a variety of reasons. If I was to spend the money on flights from Perth, I would like to then spend a little more to see my family in Queensland (who we haven’t seen in 2 years) rather than coming all the way back and having to pay that amount again. If it was only a few weeks later (just before school holidays for my son in Year 10), this would have been perfect!
Also, in order for me to just come and attend the conference my husband would not be able to work at least those two days which would cost us quite a tidy sum. Friday and Saturday are his biggest days and someone must tend to our little one. So you see, the cost of flights, accommodation etc are not the only factors some need to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to attend a conference or other event. Even though attending would definitely be an investment rather than a cost, it is an investment that some may not be able to afford due to a variety factors. I don’t feel that this makes anyone less committed to their business than those who are in a position to attend. After all, I’m certain you will have a blast and gain so much and I am a little jealous, but hopefully I will be able to make the next one and the Online conference in May.
Thanks again for your article Kathie. I really enjoyed your points.
Kathie Thomas says
Thanks Debra and fully understand. I do know that not everyone can come but feel there are more out there who can but haven’t yet made the decision to commit. As with all events I’m expecting there will be last minute bookings – I worked in the meetings industry for a few years early in my business and saw it time and again.
Debra says
Thanks Kathie. Congratulations too Kathie on organising this event. I know there is a great deal of work involved and I’m sure that the conference will be a great success this year and in coming years. I really do wish I could be there! I can’t wait to hear about everyone’s experiences following the event.
Kerrie Schofield says
I definately agree also and I would dearly love to attend the conference in Melbourne. The reason I won’t be there is because this financial year I have spent money on education, a stall at a business expo, networking events and some advertising. I simply can’t afford an airfare and accommodation to Melbourne from Brisbane. We VA’s must educate and self-promote but within our budget or we end up spending more than we make!
Connie says
I’m in the states, and while I definitely believe in further education – and take advantage of all the free teleseminars I can find, the cost of most conferences here in the states is definitely cost prohibitive even if the economy weren’t as bad as it.
For someone just starting out, the cost of airfare, or accomodations, let alone the cost of the conference are way above my means.
I’d dearly love to take advantage of conferences and such – but it’s going to be a long while before that can be a part of the budget. Wish it weren’t true – but it is.