TAO Podcast – Virtual Team Tips

As a new virtual assistant subcontractor I’m getting into researching the VA industry through podcasts. I listened to this one last week and am bound to hear more. What I find most frustrating is knowing where to start. Do you offer a beginners series to help getting started?

As a new virtual assistant subcontractor I’m getting into researching the VA industry through podcasts. I listened to this one last week and am bound to hear more. What I find most frustrating is knowing where to start. Do you offer a beginners series to help getting started?

Collette,

Thanks for your message – sorry for the delay in responding. Your question is one we get frequently. While we have never blogged or done a segment specifically on Virtual Assisting, I do not believe it differs greatly from other types of internet based businesses: that is to say that it relies mostly on abilities and training, networking, and marketing.

There are several places people can obtain training to become a virtual assistant or, as in your case, improve their existing skill base; some of them offer certification:

Certification Programs
• AssistU
• International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA)
• VA Certification

Our Jumpstart Kit is also intended to improve people’s fundamental skills with virtual teamwork and remote work technology. Also, Phil wrote a book called Lose Your Commute about finding legitimate work-from-home opportunities in general and it contains a lot of insights and resources.

In terms of networking there are a growing number of professional organizations and communities for Virtual Assistants (this list is by no means exhaustive):

Worldwide Organizations

• Clayton’s Secretary
• Canadian Virtual Assistant Network
• International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA)
• International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA)
• International Association of Virtual Assistants

Networking and Support Groups

• Virtual Assistant Networking Forum (VANF)
• Virtual Assistant Forums
• Virtual Business Group
• Virtual-Professionals.com
• Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) Network
• Work-the-Web

When it comes to marketing a good starting point might simply be exploring some of the reputable freelance job sites. Guru.com and FreeAgent.com have specific categories for virtual assistants and IVAA affiliate Staffcentrix bills itself as a “Virtual Assistant Internet Portal.” Other directories exclusively for virtual assistants include:

Free Worldwide Directories
• Elite Office Support
• Specialist Virtual Assistants Club
• VA4U

Beyond that, once someone has their own site or VA business (as you do) there is a remarkable amount of advice about internet marketing online. just shooting from the hip I would put Marketing Sherpa out there as a place to start an eye-opening trip into THAT rabbit hole.

Although you are probably aware of many of these resources already I hope this helps in some small way on your path to success and work/life balance. I encourage you to check out some of our free remote work resources, keep visiting our blog and podcast (and video posts coming soon), and contributing to our dialogue about navigating the changing world of work – let us know how things are working out for you.

Collette,

Thanks for your message – sorry for the delay in responding. Your question is one we get frequently. While we have never blogged or done a segment specifically on Virtual Assisting, I do not believe it differs greatly from other types of internet based businesses: that is to say that it relies mostly on abilities and training, networking, and marketing.

There are several places people can obtain training to become a virtual assistant or, as in your case, improve their existing skill base; some of them offer certification:

Certification Programs
• AssistU
• International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA)
• VA Certification

Our Jumpstart Kit is also intended to improve people’s fundamental skills with virtual teamwork and remote work technology. Also, Phil wrote a book called Lose Your Commute about finding legitimate work-from-home opportunities in general and it contains a lot of insights and resources.

In terms of networking there are a growing number of professional organizations and communities for Virtual Assistants (this list is by no means exhaustive):

Worldwide Organizations

• Clayton’s Secretary
• Canadian Virtual Assistant Network
• International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA)
• International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA)
• International Association of Virtual Assistants

Networking and Support Groups

• Virtual Assistant Networking Forum (VANF)
• Virtual Assistant Forums
• Virtual Business Group
• Virtual-Professionals.com
• Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) Network
• Work-the-Web

When it comes to marketing a good starting point might simply be exploring some of the reputable freelance job sites. Guru.com and FreeAgent.com have specific categories for virtual assistants and IVAA affiliate Staffcentrix bills itself as a “Virtual Assistant Internet Portal.” Other directories exclusively for virtual assistants include:

Free Worldwide Directories
• Elite Office Support
• Specialist Virtual Assistants Club
• VA4U

Beyond that, once someone has their own site or VA business (as you do) there is a remarkable amount of advice about internet marketing online. just shooting from the hip I would put Marketing Sherpa out there as a place to start an eye-opening trip into THAT rabbit hole.

Although you are probably aware of many of these resources already I hope this helps in some small way on your path to success and work/life balance. I encourage you to check out some of our free remote work resources, keep visiting our blog and podcast (and video posts coming soon), and contributing to our dialogue about navigating the changing world of work – let us know how things are working out for you.