Do You Need Virtual Assistant Training?
April 19, 2006
In this Issue
- Personal Note From India: VA training, Updated job leads
- Featured Article: Do You Need Virtual Assistant Training?
- Virtual Assistant Industry News: International Virtual Assistants Day
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===>Personal Note from India
Hi there,
I hope you’re doing well. A question I receive emails about frequently is do Virtual Assistants need training. If you’ve been on the fence regarding whether or not to get some type of Virtual Assistant Training then you’ll definitely want to read this week’s featured article. It shares with you some of the benefits of taking a VA Training program as well as what to look for when choosing a training program.
New job leads have been posted on the site.
Some sample jobs listed are:
Executive Assistant
Part Time Administrative Assistant
Accounting/Operations Assistant
and more
You can view the latest job leads at:
Until next time…enjoy the rest of your week and weekend.
Wishing you all the best,
India Jordan
Your Fellow Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistant Business
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===>Featured Article
Do You Need Virtual Assistant Training?
Whether or not Virtual Assistant training is actually necessary is one of the hot-button topics in the trade. Some Virtual Assistants use their experience, some swear by training/coaching programs and others say the only right way to set up a successful VA practice is a combination of both experience and coaching.
What are the benefits of working through a training program for Virtual Assistants or working with a VA Coach?
- Coaches can help you identify your strength & weakness areas.
- Coaches can help you with marketing concepts in order to get the business to you.
- Coaches often hire on their students (subcontract work) either as part of the program cost (trade hours) or at a reduced rate. This allows the VA students to “try on” different types of projects to see what they’d like to offer and wouldn’t like to offer. It also allows the students to earn recommendations for their new businesses and establish a client base to gain some confidence.
- Some coaches also help you set reachable goals for your business and your life. They should also follow up with you to hold you accountable for them.
- Coaches can help you get your website up and running and with writing the content.
- Coaches can help you with any products you want to offer to clients (e-books, teleseminars, etc.).
- Coaches will assign you homework, much like projects you will be receiving from clients, allowing you to push your comfort zone levels, meet deadlines and stretch your imagination and creativity.
- Coaches generally offer follow-up support by way of phone calls, emails, online networking groups for their current/previous coaching students, etc. They generally don’t just cut you loose at the end of your program.
When looking into training and/or coaching programs, some important points to consider are:
- How long has the coach been coaching? How long have they been in business? Most VA coaches are or were practicing Virtual Assistants. Ask for coaching references and client references to see how they are to work with/for.
- What is the coach’s background? What experience do they have with teaching, mentoring, training, administrative work, etc.?
- What is the cost for the program? Can you afford it? Do they take partial payment in the form of trade hours, especially if you’re budget is tight. Do they offer a payment plan?
- Did they study under a coach or take a formal coach-training class?
- How long is the training program? What does the lesson plan look like? Is it structured well? Do you have the time to invest?
- What does the “textbook” look like? Is it a comprehensive text, full of helpful information and guidelines; or does it look like a pamphlet?
Listed below are some of the Virtual Assistant training and coaching programs available to newbie Virtual Assistants and those interested in learning about these programs. (Please note: This is not a comprehensive and/or exhaustive list.)
- Tawyna Sutherland (http://TheVAStartUpSystem.com)
- Patty Benton (http://www.virtualvacoach.com/)
- Janet Jordan (http://www.virtualassistanceu.com/)
- Dale & Becki Noles (http://www.vatraining.com/)
- Stacy Brice (http://www.assistu.com/)
- Rebecca Trelfa (http://www.virtualdynamos.com/)
- Maria Marsala (http://www.coachmaria.com/) – This is a coaching program for service-based business owners, not specifically Virtual Assistants.
For more information on training for virtual assistants, visit Virtual Assistant Training Programs
India Jordan is the owner and editor of Virtual Assistant Business, a one stop resource for aspiring and current Virtual Assistants. She’s a Virtual Assistant with a passion for helping other Virtual Assistants succeed in business.
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===>Virtual Assistant Industry News
International Virtual Assistants Day
Online International Virtual Assistants Convention - Thursday, May 18 to Saturday, May 20, 2006
For more information regarding International Virtual Assistants Day and this convention go to
http://www.virtualassistantbusiness.com/oivac.html
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