VA Training Programs: How to Choose?
The Virtual Assistance industry began as a spontaneous migration of like-minded but unacquainted people with administrative assistance backgrounds away from their corporate jobs to reinvented careers as independent contractors.
As our industry gained momentum, it acquired its name, and along the way people from other backgrounds (like me!) got on board offering services beyond the initial admin focus. Eventually, some practitioners realized they needed some additional training to round out their skills or to learn how to market their newly founded businesses.
Some of the industry’s most entrepreneurial and talented pioneers answered this need by developing complete training packages for those wanting to learn how to break into the industry from the ground up. Meanwhile, other established VAs realized they could teach others with a one-on-one approach, and the VA coaching/mentoring movement sprang up.
If you are interested in this career and have decided the best means to get up and running is to pay someone to teach you, you’ll have your hands full researching all the training programs out there. Take a deep breath: there are a ton to choose from.
To help you select the program right for you, I contacted sixteen companies who offer VA training and/or coaching, and asked them to tell me about their approach. Here’s an initial list of respondents, which I’ll add to as I hear back from those who were invited to share details on their programs.
NOTE: This listing does not constitute an endorsement for one program over another. Those mentioned replied to my request for a concise description of their program. You’ll need to do your own research to determine the final choice that’s best for you. Good luck, and let me know which programs worked for you!
Training Programs
VA Trainer owner, Kathie Thomas, says:
“I am certainly happy for you to mention my program at www.vatrainer.com. It’s a 10 week course, fully delivered online and I’ve had really good feedback from those who have taken the course. I have several VAs on it at the moment so new graduates will go up on the site soon. Please note that the figure [pricing] quoted on the site is in AUD.”
VAClassroom co-owner, Craig Cannings, says:
“VAClassroom.com offers an innovative online training center designed to equip Virtual Assistants with the skills businesses are seeking in 2008 and beyond. Our certification programs have been designed in collaboration with professional Virtual Assistants and the entrepreneurs and businesses that regularly hire them.
We are currently very excited about the response we are receiving from the graduates of our ten-module, video-based program called the “Internet Marketing VA Training Certification”. With over 50 videos, a 70-page resource guide, practical quizzes and assignments, a class discussion forum, live coaching and job search resources the skills developed through the IMVA training and certification program will help you win more ideal clients, increase your income and expand your services into a profitable and in-demand niche! In addition, this course provides you with the Internet Marketing know-how that will allow you to effectively promote your own Virtual Assistance practice.”
Virtual Business Training owner, Gretchen Berg, says:
Virtual Business Training was established in 2006 as an advanced yet affordable training option for those seeking self-employment in the virtual associate industry. Our unique hands-on training program was designed to assist VAs launch viable, sustainable virtual service businesses through peer collaboration and client simulation exercises in a dynamic learning environment.
The program covers Business Niches, Skills Assessment, Website Basic Training, Hardware and Software, Marketing Materials, Business & Marketing Plans, Rate Setting, Contracts, Working with Clients and Industry Certifications. Training is held live via our online, interactive training room. Tuition includes an e-book, an extensive reference library, sample contracts, individual coaching and client exercises. For more information, contactinfo@virtualbusinesstraining.com or 877-524-3524.
AssistU Chief Operating Officer, Dawn Goldberg, says:
“AssistU was created in February 1997, and was the first formal training program for people wanting to become VAs. Almost 12 years later, we’re still going strong, having trained and coached nearly a thousand people to create and maintain successful VA practices.
You can learn more about AssistU here: www.assistu.com/va/aboutus.shtml. AssistU’s founder, Stacy Brice, also publishes a blog on moxie for VAs (and business owners) here: www.virtualmoxie.com/.”
Coaching/Mentoring Programs
VAstartup principle, Anna Baron, says:
“When I started I knew what I wanted to do but needed guidance on just a few areas, this is what I REALLY wanted to get going. I think someone who wants to be a VA has to have that drive to succeed anyways.
I offer newbies various levels of assistance. They can start with the Boot Camp for Virtual Assistants: How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business. This an ebook that covers the basics that takes them from determining services to offer to setting up their office, creating marketing materials and how to market for clients.
I also offer one-on-one coaching/mentoring which is not structured. This is flexible and they can be coached on EVERYTHING or simply purchase an hour or two of coaching to fine-tune or discuss certain areas that they need further direction or assistance with.
Further that, I offer marketing packages at insanely ridiculous prices to help them get their businesses going. This covers everything from web sites to business cards, letterheads to presentation layouts, etc.”
JERPAT Training and Coaching Owner, BA, and Certified Life Coach Patty Benton says:
JERPAT Training & Coaching was established in 2005 as an affordable, quality coaching program helping new virtual assistants get started with a solid foundation and support system. We also have a program for virtual assistants who have been in business 6 months or more and have had at minimum 1 client and are looking to take their business to the next level. Aside from helping give our participants the solid foundation for their business, we also go the extra step to ensure every participant is comfortable making the transition from corporate to virtual, as well as how to overcome the obstacles in working virtually. Our motto is “Failure is NOT an Option” and we are there for our participants as long as they need our support, even after they graduate.
“Ask the Marketing Specialist” owner and Certified eMarketing Associate (CEMA), Lisa Wells, says:
I offer something a little different. Ask the eMarketing Expert one on one, just in time service offering advice, mentoring, and support (pay by the hour).
AssistU Chief Operating Officer, Dawn Goldberg, says:
“AssistU was created in February 1997, and was the first formal training program for people wanting to become VAs. Almost 12 years later, we’re still going strong, having trained and coached nearly a thousand people to create and maintain successful VA practices.
You can learn more about AssistU here: www.assistu.com/va/aboutus.shtml. AssistU’s founder, Stacy Brice, also publishes a blog on moxie for VAs (and business owners) here: www.virtualmoxie.com/.”
VA Business Coach: Jeannine Clontz, Your VA Biz Coach, says:
“For established VAs we have Jeannine’s Elite Virtual Assistance Insider program; a monthly group coaching model that helps the VA focus on specific systems in their VA practice and helps them develop the right business model to build a successful and profitable business. A 2-month trial is offered at: vabizcoach.com/free-test-drive. For VAs just getting started, our “Business Essentials” program, follows our wildly successful book, Entrepreneurial Freedom (see more on this below, under “Books”), and is an in-depth 10-week class that takes you step-by-step through the process of starting or growing a successful VA practice. Find out more here: vabizcoach.com/starters.
And for any VA, no matter where they are in their business, private One-on-One coaching is also available. Within 12-weeks, the VA will see their business transformed and headed in the right direction. Visit: vabizcoach.com/programs for more.
We even offer payment plans for the “Business Essentials” and private One-on-One coaching programs, so that more VAs can participate. We’re really all about helping improve the virtual assistance industry and helping entrepreneurs create the business they always dreamed of.
Contact us at any of the links above , coach@vabizcoach.com
Books
VA Secrets Revealed! An Insider’s Guide to Being a Successful Virtual Assistant author and owner of Avertua , Alyssa M. Gregory, says:
“I am thrilled to announce that a book I wrote geared toward VAs was released this week. The title is, VA Secrets Revealed! An Insider’s Guide to Being a Successful Virtual Assistant.
Here is an overview of the book and some information about myself for those of you who don’t know me.
VA Secrets Revealed! An Insider’s Guide to Being a Successful Virtual
Assistant provides real-life and practical advice for virtual assistants in all stages of business. Some of the topics discussed include mistakes to avoid when starting your business, setting your rates, identifying your ideal client, developing client relationships, and marketing on a budget. The book includes a VA Resource Toolkit with recommended tools, websites, books and services. There is also a companion Web portal at www.VASecretsRevealed.com that provides downloadable checklists, worksheets and sample documents, answers to frequently asked questions, a blog with expanded tips, and additional resources.
“Ask the Marketing Specialist” owner and Certified eMarketing Associate (CEMA), Lisa Wells, wrote:
Emarketing Essentials for Virtual Assistants, an ebook written for VAs on the basics of marketing (niche, pink spoon, article, email marketing etc). http://www.marketingyourvabiz.com/
The VA Coach’s Build Your Virtual Assistance Business Self-Study Program Erin Lamarche-Blaskie, Business Services, ETC, describes the program:
Want to work at your own pace? Need guidance and direction in your virtual assistance business? Do you feel that there is so much out there but you have no idea where to begin?
We know exactly where you are coming from and after eight weeks of live coaching and tweaking to our wildly popular program, we are now pleased to present the self-study guide.When you purchase the self-study guide, you will get:
140 Page, Full Detailed Manual Complete with Homework Assignments
Full Access to the Online Learning Environment
Networking and Interaction Opportunities with Other Participants
One-on-One Coaching with The VA Coach (1 Hour)
Free Resources: Books, Audio Programs, Business Tools and More!
Forum to Ask Questions of The VA Coach
(For full details, click on link at beginning of this product description.)
Available from the authors or at Amazon, the authors describe it: “The definitive ‘how to’ for anyone looking to start or grow a small or home-based business, from deciding whether or not you have what it takes, to building a successful and ethical business. In this book you’ll learn to: develop your brand; network; handle difficult clients; create a marketing plan; and more! You’ll also see contract and form samples, a resource directory and valuable information from other successful business owners that will encourage you to take the next step in your entrepreneurial adventure.”
Speaking of this, here are some relevant posts from elsewhere in Loosely Speaking:
The topic of training for VAs should include ongoing, professional development, and much of that can be gained by attending Seminars, Workshops, and Conferences in your area of specialization. Take a look at the list assembled here: Calendar of Events for Bloggers and VAs
Eligibility vs. Suitability for Your Profession
Interested in Becoming a Virtual Assistant? Here’s Your F.A.Q.
Updated 9/8/08, 3:20 p.m.; 9/11/08, 4:15 p.m.; 9/23/08, 9:34 a.m.; 9/30/08, 1:05 p.m.; 1/22/09, 1:53 p.m.
Comment // September 11th, 2008 // 12:10 pm
Interesting piece, Interesting subject.
My question (as a purveyor of VAs, no less) is this: WHY should these people bother with programs like yours? Is it a question of “having accreditation”? Or is there more?
Serious question . . . I don’t (generally) see the value.
Thanks,
Jeff Yablon
President & CEO
Virtual VIP
Comment // September 11th, 2008 // 4:28 pm
Hi Jeff,
First, let me clarify that I do not offer a training program, myself. This post is an attempt to list some of the training options available to VAs and prospective VAs.
As to WHY enroll in a VA training program, wow, there are lots of reasons!
Generally speaking, all professionals are expected to participate in advanced professional development regularly as a way of keeping current. In addition, here are just four more reasons.
1. Prospective VAs may have the technical skills but don’t know how to start their own business, if they’ve never been self-employed before.
2. Existing VAs may need or want to expand their skillset to be able to broaden their service offerings.
3. Some VAs may be established but are struggling with developing a niche set of skills or a clientele niche. Coaching or mentoring can help get them going in the right direction.
3. Growing a business into any new direction is challenging. VA mentoring or coaching might be the solution for someone looking to make a change.
Thanks for your comment!
Comment // September 12th, 2008 // 12:51 pm
Jeff and Katie,
Maybe my experience will answer your “why train” question. Back in 2000, I was an office manager with close to 20 years of administrative experience. I wanted to work for myself, but I couldn’t figure out how to go about it (back then, clerical personnel were expected to be chained to their desk). While working for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and encountering the Internet for the first time, I ran across a website (AssistU) touting virtual assistant (VA) training. Not knowing what a VA was, I kept reading. As I read, I got more and more excited because what I was reading said that I could continue doing what I knew how to do (administrative work) and be my own boss and work from home (instead of fighting traffic every day). I enrolled in the AssistU program in 2001 and graduated in 2002. The program wasn’t cheap, but I paid for this program because I knew I could do the administrative work (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.), but I had only a vague idea of how to start and operate a business, and I knew nothing about marketing.
Four years later, I decided to enroll in the VA Classroom’s Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant program. I decided to do this because I knew next to nothing about Internet marketing, and I wanted to know more so I could market my VA business. Being able to offer Internet marketing to clients was not why I went for this certification, although, now that I know this stuff, I will offer it to clients
.
In my four years’ experience, I’ve never had anyone ask me if I’ve been trained as a VA, if I have any certifications, etc. I don’t think that formal education should be the only factor considered when choosing a VA. Lack of formal education doesn’t make the work I do any less valuable. My experience and skills are what a client wants and pays for, and it is how I bring value to my clients’ life and business.
Although I’m not big on formal training, I won’t discard the possibility in my future. If something comes along that I think will be good for me or my business or it’s just something I’m curious about, I will enroll in formal training again. One of the great things about being a Virtual Assistant is that I decide what I want to know, when I want to learn it, and how I want to learn it.
=>Donna Caissie, Owner & Virtual HR Assistant
ExtraOrdinary Assistance
http://www.extra-assist.com
cio@extra-assist.com
Comment // September 26th, 2008 // 11:22 pm
I agree that it’s important to zero in on the skills that will help you service your target audience the most profitably and enjoyably. I am an Admin at Tawnya Sutherland’s VAnetworking.com (and also a member of her VAinsider Club), so when I saw this post about VA training I had to jump in.
A lot of people think of “training” as something very formal (and expensive!), but it can also be just as empowering (and profitable) to attend conferences, seminars, and even individual classes at your local community college.
So, a couple more options to throw in the pot here:
VAnetworking.com offers free weekly eSeminars to all members (free or VAinsiders). The seminars are led by various experts from the fields of marketing, coaching, virtual assistance among others.
Tawnya also created a “kit” that guides the aspiring VA through all the steps necessary to set up a full fledged virtual assistance business (business planning, contracts, marketing, etc). It’s call the Virtual Business Startup System (VBSS).
Lifelong learning is critical to the success of any entrepreneur so it’s nice to see so many options available to VAs wanting to charge up their skills.
Karri
http://vanetworking.com/vainsider
Pingback // September 28th, 2008 // 9:11 am
[...] Baird of LooseEnds posted an excellent article on her blog, Loosely Speaking, about current Virtual Assistant training options. She describes the recent explosive growth of [...]
Comment // September 28th, 2008 // 6:18 pm
People can choose to seek additional training for any area whether it is VA specific or not. I think just as with any other profession, there are those who seek to continue learning either for their own satisfaction or to advance themselves professionally.
Certainly, there are those who seek the assistance of coaches for just about any profession, a VA who does the same with some who is specific to their industry is no different.
The hard part however, is knowing which program/coach/book to choose. For many small business owners, funds are limited when it comes to these things. While I do think there are quality programs, coaches and books out there, I also think that there are people out there who are putting out only mediocre content and assistance which preys on those who are new to industry. And I’ve seen several which charge very high prices while trying to convince the VA that these are must have skills and you would really be missing out if you pass on that opportunity.
My advice is to do your research on any training program or coaching program before signing up to make sure you are getting quality and not just quantity. Check with other VAs and find what they know before signing up for anything.
Kimberly
http://www.jkvirtualoffice.com
Pingback // January 19th, 2009 // 9:34 am
[...] Author note added 1/19/09: Today there are so many training and coaching options available to new and prospective VAs. You can read more about some of them here: “VA Training Options: How to Choose.” [...]
Comment // January 26th, 2009 // 6:22 pm
I was lucky enough to go through the Certified Virtual Professional Program which gave me hands on experience and lucky enough to be come a subcontractor for the company. If anyone would like my story on my experience please let me know.
http://certifiedvp.com/portal/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
Comment // March 23rd, 2009 // 10:32 am
I think what virtual assistants (VAs) need to know about, and be able to introduce their clients to, is, basically, the existence of Web 2.0; in other words, interactive, rather than static, presence on the web, using advanced Internet technology and communication tools/applications such as such as blogs, podcasts, wikis, RSS, shopping carts, social bookmarking, remote access to client’s computers; setting up collaborative sites so that the VA and the client can access the same information on the web; allowing clients to update their websites and wikis themselves (e.g., using open source software to make text updates, which is what I’m now doing).
More and more clients are wanting to get set up to create their own websites, self-publish, create and upload audio and video files, share photos and information—and if they don’t know about these things already, they are looking for consultants who can introduce them to these things, set them up for them, teach them how to use them, and keep them working properly.
So I’m trying to find a VA training program that helps VAs learn about these things. Have you found one? Or has anyone else?
Comment // March 23rd, 2009 // 1:06 pm
Nina – Craig Canning’s http://vaclassroom.com is said to be very good and he specialized in all things web 2.0. Tell Craig I sent you
Cheers!
Comment // March 23rd, 2009 // 1:23 pm
Nina,
Karri said it before I could, but I agree. Also tell Craig I sent you!
Pingback // June 18th, 2009 // 5:44 pm
[...] training options abound, and here’s a link to some. Many of these target new VAs rather than experienced professionals looking to expand their skills [...]