I tried to join one VA forum and I was declined. Their primary reason was because I was not doing administrative support. They said that the real virtual assistants are those that only do administrative support. Further, on their page it said that it doesn’t mean that you work virtually, you should call yourself as a virtual assistant. Like if you do web design virtually, you’re a web designer. If you do bookkeeping, you’re a bookkeper. A little weird, I must say for thinking such thing.
Why constrict yourself in just doing administrative support? Why not spread your wings and learn to do Internet Marketing or Social Media? Aren’t people who do those type of tasks not called a VA too?
Again, we’ll be going back to my first post. Best to understand it as early as now.
Now I understand why there are some VAs who try to move away from the virtual assistant term itself. They don’t want to be generalized as people who do administrative support. While it’s not bad to do administrative tasks, I feel that there’s more a virtual assistant can offer and not just being a remote secretary. Times have changed and as more business owners shift online, they need help with handling their businesses like marketing and support which is not restricted to administrative tasks. The more skills you have, the higher income potential you could get.
One of the most sought-after skills in the online world is Facebook techie skills. We know how Facebook is dominating the social marketing space and how it has connected many people especially businesses to their consumers. At the end of the year, FB will be changing how its business pages will be delivered and virtual assistants looking into delivering this niche must get ready as early as now in adapting to its changes.
Equipping yourselves with the right skills is essential in providing professional services as a virtual assistant. VAClassroom is one of the online training providers geared to helping virtual assistants be up-to-date with their skills. They provide topnotch training resources and opportunities for VAs to leverage their income potential and gain “in-demand” skills that are highly needed by the online businesses nowadays.
Knowledge in administrative support is important for a virtual assistant but isn’t providing Facebook assistance like helping clients in building their Facebook business pages more exciting?
LinkedIn
GooglePlus
Facebook
Twitter
I think I know which place you are talking about.
It seems that there is much debate and disagreement over what the term virtual assistant actually means. I did move away from the term myself as I did start out as a VA, then I moved to ‘affiliate manager’ and then to ‘web designer’.
As much as some VA industries would like to keep a lock on the definition I have certainly found through experience in my own business that there are many potential clients who view VA’s as much more than just admin help and look to them for internet marketing expertise. I also find though that as a VA, when I know too much that people expect to get these services for less than what I could charge as a ‘marketing consultant’. They also tend to not respect my experience or expertise as much when it’s labeled as VA services versus coaching or marketing consulting.
It’s a really interesting topic for sure and one I know opinions are varied!
Think I just about wrote my own blog post here in your comments!
Oh – and btw – love the site!
Angela
Hi Angela,
Thanks for your reply. You’re actually the first approved post! LOL I got tons here in the dashboard but all are spammy!
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about if you had the chance to register in their forum.. oh well, that’s okay. Their forum is not the ONLY one out there! There are tons of free forums for VAs which provide awesome information. And because of rejecting my application, they just lost a customer! I was actually contemplating of buying their contracts. Anyway.. I’ll just work on the free ones I got from the other VA forum which is very, very accomodating to all newbie VAs.
I’m actually thinking of moving away from the VA term soon! Still looking for the right niche to concentrate on.
Anyway, I’m just wondering why is it that when you say you’re a consultant or a manager.. it works wonders?!? But really, it’s just a term.. well, of course it’s just packaging yourself differently, but when you think about it.. you may do the same stuff as a virtual assistant. I guess the term virtual assistant is the general term. To stand out in the crowd, a virtual assistant must find their own niche.
Site is still a work in progress, my dear! Thanks for your comment.. I really appreciate you and all the wonderful information you’ve provided which has helped me tremendously!
Chel