So You Want to Be a Virtual Assistant, Do You?
by Katherine McCrimmon, Virtual Assistant and Free Agent
Continued

Professional Organizations

You've weighed the pros and cons of becoming a virtual assistant and decided this is a business venture you want to pursue. You have the time allocated, the money figured out and business plan completed. (It should be noted here that a business plan is an on-going project, to be reviewed and updated periodically and referred to regularly!) Now what do you do?

• Join an organization such as the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), a professional group that offers advice and support from other VAs in the US and around the world. This is a fee-paying voluntary organization, However, the dues are very reasonable and enable the IVAA to offer many advantages unavailable from other groups.
  
  At the very least go to the IVAA website (www.ivaa.org) and sign up for the free monthly newsletter which will give you a good introduction to the organization and to the worldwide network of fellow VAs. The e-zine also publishes monthly meetings where you can go and join other VAs for lunch and networking. These meetings are almost always open to members and non-members.
  
  The IVAA also offers a special membership fee for "emerging VAs". In addition, you will be able to attend virtual 'Town Meetings' that are designed to appeal to those just starting out. Since it is also a voluntary association, there is plenty of opportunity to virtually interact with those at the forefront the Virtual Assistance profession around the world.
  
  Membership of the IVAA entitles you to be listed in their VA directories which are both geographical and alphabetical and which include a profile of each VA with links to websites and email addresses. Another benefit of membership is to be notified of job opportunities and to submit proposals to prospective clients. In addition, there is an opt-in mail-serve list where members can ask for and receive advice concerning the whole gamut of the VA industry.
  
  
• If you are a VA from the UK, the Alliance of UK Virtual Assistants (www.allianceofukvirtualassistants.org.uk) is definitely worth joining. The Alliance is free to all UK based VAs. It is run by three of the most experienced VAs in the United Kingdom, Di Chapman, Irene Boston, and Jo Johnson. Their advice and insight is invaluable. Take a good look at the Alliance website and you'll find a wealth of information pertinent information there.
  
  Membership includes listing in directories of UK VAs both geographically and according to services and includes links to your website. In addition there is an opt-in mail-serve list where you can ask for advice, give advice and otherwise share in the issues facing Virtual Assistants in the UK.
  
  
• There are other VA organizations to be sure, but I belong to these two and can personally vouch for their integrity and commitment to the profession. Both have been a source of encouragement and inspiration and I highly commend them to you. If you can join your local Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce is an especially effective networking group that has been a source of work for many Virtual Assistants -- especially those looking for work in their local area.
  
  

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