November 18th 2007
Virtual assistant networking forums
A lot of people ask me if I feel lonely or isolated, working from my home office. These people apparently do not have two children under the age of two. Not really lonely around here! However, it is tough not having co-workers to chat with, and I think that’s where the isolation question comes from. Many VAs do have feelings of isolation, but I can only hope for an hour or two of loneliness each day when the girls go for a drive with their father or - when the stars align - have a nap. Loneliness=productivity.
Anyway, what many people don’t realize about our industry is how extremely networked it is. There are quite a few virtual assistant networking forums on the ‘net and they serve as a source of information, and support.
I belong to most of them!
- VA Networking is a great one. It’s the biggest out there - as of right now there are over 7400 members. Up until the 1st of November, membership was free. Now you can still have a free membership, but it’s limited. There is a ton of information in the forum at VANA, and it truly is a friendly place to go!
- IVAA is another large VA organization. It’s a paid membership, so you get people who are a bit more serious about their businesses. I find people are really quick to respond to questions, and there’s a pile of resources available that I still haven’t come to the bottom of.
- The Virtual Assistant Revolution, is my favorite. It’s also a paid membership, and only people completely serious about their business end up as members. The support you have access to within its ‘walls’ is tremendous. Can’t say enough about them. We’re even having our second annual Secret Santa gift exchange this year! I’ve made actual friends through the ‘Rev’.
- CVAC is a Canadian forum, and a great place to find Canadian information. The group is extremely helpful, and you usually receive an answer to your question within minutes.
- IREAA is a forum specifically for real estate assistants. For industry specific information, there’s no parallel.
There are more, but these are the ones I frequent the most. The greatest part of belonging to these organizations is if you hit a rough patch in a project (or in life) this is where you turn for help. The members of these organizations support one another like you wouldn’t believe. There are conferences for virtual assistants a couple of times per year, and I can’t wait to attend my first one ‘FoVA‘ in May 2008. I hope I will get to meet many of my ‘friends in the box’ there.
You might not believe this, if you are unfamiliar with the industry, but it is a small world, even though it’s virtual!
9 Comments »
Heather Jacobson on 18 Nov 2007 at 4:22 pm #
Thanks for the mention! We’re so glad that you’re a part of the Rev!
It’s those of you who are so active and have found success that make it all the more a great place to be… 
Sally Kuhlman on 18 Nov 2007 at 8:51 pm #
Jaime you are so right. There is nothing lonely or isolating about being a VA. I’ve met some of my best friends through the groups mentioned above. I’m glad I met you! Congratulations on winning blog of the week at VANA.
Becki Noles on 18 Nov 2007 at 10:57 pm #
Thanks for the wonderful comments about The Revolution! If we didn’t have people like you involved it wouldn’t be as great!
Melanie O'Kane on 19 Nov 2007 at 9:40 am #
Hi Jaime,
Good post! I actually wrote an article for IVAACast some months back about isolation and working from home. One of the tips I provided was to join online networking groups like those you’ve wrote about here.
Yes; working from home can be isolating, even if you have children and/or pets to keep you busy. Sometimes you just miss that human contact and connection with your peers that was sometimes taken for granted while working in the “outside” world.
So groups like IVAA and the others you’ve mentioned can be a real Godsend, especially if you have an urgent question, need a subcontractor, or just a virtual shoulder to lean upon!
Good post, Jaime…
PS: I found your post through Google Alerts using keyword “virtual assistant.”
Vicky on 19 Nov 2007 at 3:21 pm #
Good article. I also found you through Google alerts. :}
Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary on 23 Nov 2007 at 7:50 am #
Perhaps you’ll come and pay the Virtual Assistants International Group (VAIG) at some stage? Our forum is at yahoogroups and has been in existence for some years.
I agree, the networks and forums are a great way to keep company without having to have anyone in your space at home!
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Jackie, Pro VA Solutions on 20 Dec 2007 at 8:40 pm #
Just wanted to thank you for the informative post and let you know that you have a very nice, clean blog!
Beth on 10 Jan 2008 at 6:33 pm #
I just had to laugh when I read your first paragraph. I have three children myself, and I completely understand the not being lonely part. Luckily two of my sons are in school most of the day, so that means waiting for the third to nap so I can get down to business. I love how you listed the different VA organizations you frequent. I haven’t heard of a couple of them and I am excited to check them out! Thanks for the article