Virtual Assistant Networking Association Milestone

The Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA) is nearing the 6,000 member mark. It could hit it as soon as this week. With a current membership count of 5,945 it won’t be very long at all.

This is an amazing feat for a forum that is only 4 years old. It is billed as the “Largest online global meeting place for successful and aspiring Virtual Assistants”. As Virtual Assistant forums go, this is the biggest and it doesn’t seem that this growth will be stopping anytime soon.

With recent mentions in articles like the one that appeared in the May edition of the Reader’s Digest, Virtual Assistants are making VANA their online meeting place. People come and ask questions, give advice, share their successes, and even help each other find clients. A member at VANA, Darrell Williams of Right-Hand-Man Virtual Assistant Services says this:

“This is the most supportive business forum that I have been a part of. Other VAs are always willing to answer any questions I have and they are also open to any comments or suggestions I might have, as well. It is like we are all working together because it’s not a competitive place. Everyone honestly wants the best for each other’s Virtual Assistant practice. My VA practice would not be where it is today without the help I found at VANA”

As more people become aware of Virtual Assistants and the need for their services increases, VANA will be there to help VAs and their clients along. There is An Request for Proposal (RFP) system for both VAs and potential VA clients alike. If a client needs a Virtual Assistant, they just send the information into VANA and then the VAs have a chance to respond to their request. This is just one of the services and benefits of the free VANA membership.

VANA’s founder, Tawnya Sutherland, and her team of “VA Virtuosos” are a volunteer team of extremely successful VAs. They are involved at VANA to help other VAs succeed as Virtual Assistants the same way that they have. They are a vital part of VANA and their solid input is invaluable to the “aspiring” VAs.

If you would like to find out more about what a Virtual Assistant is or if you are a Virtual Assistant that needs some support, give the Virtual Assistant Networking Association a look. If you are looking for a Virtual Assistant, VANA would be a great place to start.

Virtual Assistant Networking Association - http://www.vanetworking.com/

Right-Hand-Man Virtual Assistant Services - http://www.righthandmanva.com/

Virtual Assistant's Worst Fear!

Lately my computer has been acting up. I think that it had a virus that was just hanging on, even though I tried every anti-virus program out there. I finally got it back to health today.

This did get me wondering (and worrying a bit), "What would I do if my computer died on me?" I think that this should be the Virtual Assistant's worst fear. We should have a healthy fear of this happening and take measures to protect our businesses in the event that it does happen.

I am now in the process of burning everything of my clients and my business onto CDs. My next step is to go tomorrow and buy a jump drive. I would like to be able to 'move' my files easily to another computer if the need arises. I do keep paper copies of most everything that I can. (So much for the 'paperless' office of the future) My plan now is to back up EVERYTHING! It may seem a bit extreme, but better safe than sorry.

What are some other ways that you protect your valuable information? What would you do if your computer died right now? Do you have a plan? Are you afraid yet? Being afraid is a good thing if you do something about it.

Be like a boy scout and be prepared.

CBC Radio Interview

I was interviewed today for the morning program for CBC Prince Edward Island. The interviewer, Mitch Cormier, asked me a lot of questions about the Virtual Assistant industry and about my practice. Even though I was nervous, he said it would sound great on air. My business name and website will be noted and hopefully the interview will be available online.

If you want to listen for it go to CBC Radio One PEI between 6a.m. and 8:30a.m.AST (5a.m.-7:30a.m.EST). It will either be on tomorrow or Monday.

All of this came about due to my press release (see earlier post). Mitch Cormier picked it up through a Google alert. So get your press releases out there. If you need help, get in touch and we can work on a press release that will get you noticed.

My First Press Release

The following is my first ever press release:
____________________________________
Virtual Assistants In The News
The Virtual Assistant industry is catching the eye of the national media.

The Virtual Assistant industry is being highlighted in the national media once again. In the May issue of Reader's Digest, an article on ways to make extra money states, "If you've got word processing, transcription, bookkeeping, public relations or website design skills, you may want to try life as a virtual assistant." The article goes on to quote VA and author, Diana Ennen whose book, "Virtual Assistant -The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA", is a must-have manual for every Virtual Assistant.

In an upcoming episode of the "Today Show", another VA will be featured. A film crew will follow her through a "typical day" in the life of a Virtual Assistant.


"The Virtual Assistant industry is growing rapidly and having it noticed by the press will only help its growth. People will learn what a VA is and either want to become one or hire one."


The Virtual Assistant industry has been featured in national publications in the past. TIME, Businessweek, The Christian Science Monitor, and USA Today have all published articles about Virtual Assistants.


According to Darrell Williams, owner of Right-Hand-Man Virtual Assistant Services, "The more exposure the Virtual Assistant industry gets, the better. Explaining the concept of a VA to potential clients is half the battle. National press exposure makes this so much easier."


For more information on Virtual Assistants and what they can do for you, visit www.righthandmanva.com.

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Virtual Assistant Articles.

I've looked through the Internet and found a few articles about
Virtual Assistant's
published in magazines and newspapers.
Here are the links:

READER'S DIGEST
TIME
BUSINESSWEEK
MY BUSINESS MAG
IQ
MOTTO
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
USA TODAY
ENTREPRENEUR

I will search for more and post the links here when I find them. If you know of anymore, especially from outside of North America, please add a comment with the link included.