A huge welcome and a big hug for Sharon Williams, president of 24-Hour Secretary! Sharon’s been hopping around the blogosphere answering industry questions and promoting this year’s Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC). Today, she’s hanging out on Loosely Speaking while I am winding down here in Phoenix with other VAs at the 2010 IVAA Online Summit.

Hi Sharon!

Katie, thanks for the invite and I’m happy to pull in to your stop. I know you’re multitasking, attending the IVAA Summit and hosting my visit, so let’s get started so you can enjoy the rest of your trip to Phoenix.

1. In this economy, do you still think it’s a good time for people to try launching a new VA practice?

Absolutely! If the new VA has created a business plan and marketing strategy inclusive of identifying their ideal client and narrowing their niche, there is no reason why this new practice should not be profitable. Along with other vital steps required to establish any new business, the VA should conduct research and answer the following questions about their ideal client and target audience before they launch their new enterprise:

Who are they?
What do they like?
Where do they hang out to learn or gather information?
What hobbies do they have?
What’s their biggest fear?
What’s their biggest desire?

Armed with this information, the new VA should be able to create a business around what the client needs most that they can provide. This will help lay a strong, informed foundation for business growth and development.

2. How can a new VA develop the needed credibility and experience so as to be entrusted with referrals from established practitioners, especially in these difficult times when new clients are hard to come by?

I highly recommend that a new VA join groups/forums/associations and/or networks to connect with other professionals and establish valuable relationships. By contributing to these groups, the VA can showcase their expertise and become a “go-to-VA” in their specialty, amongst these groups. Eventually, VAs will seek them out for input, potential subcontracting and the building of collaborative relationships.

Additionally, the VA may choose to volunteer on various committees and participate in industry-related activities, again as an opportunity to showcase their expertise and overall commitment to their business development and growth.

Finally, this new business owner may choose to participate in local community-based and/or hobby-related causes to showcase relevant knowledge, skills and abilities and become a key stakeholder associated with the organization/cause.

3. What are the hottest VA niches you see on the horizon, for those new to the field who understand that developing a focused practice can be a great key to success?

Ah, with so many “hot” or “new” niches developing on a weekly basis, it’s hard to say what the VA should focus on now, as tomorrow, that same “hot” niche may have fizzled out. But, I’m positive that the following categories will stand the test of time:

Video production and distribution
Keyword research and SEO
Creation of mobile applications
Author assistance
Social marketing (Web 2.0, etc.)
Website creation and maintenance

4. I often recommend VAs keep up with professional development but meet with resistance, usually over cost or time. What tactics do you use to convince peers of the need to participate in educational events regularly?

Katie, this is an ongoing problem. For many, there is a misconception that VAs can learn all they need by asking questions on forums and listservs. This is wrong! Sure, you may receive advice (based on the respondent’s experience, which may or may not relate to YOUR specific situation), but that is not enough training for the inquirer to become “an expert.” Experts participate in continuous learning and training, most of which there is a cost associated with, and VAs should look at education as an extension of their overall business growth and development.

My philosophy is you have to spend money to make money, and if you aren’t abreast of the trends and newest technologies you WILL be left behind.

In direct response to your questions, all we can do is inform VAs of the opportunities, and promote the benefits (not only for them but also for their potential customers) in participating. We add incentives, like bonus giveaways, extensive PR, prize drawings, etc. However, even with all these elements, VAs still often use the EXCUSE that they don’t have the funds. The bottom line is training and education should be a part of your overall budget and continuing education is a lifelong process.

Okay, off my soapbox.

Relative to time, the majority of online courses are available for download and replay. In addition, trainers are creating “home study” courses that can be completed at times convenient for the student.

So, other than beating VAs over the head (literally) with positive messages, incentives, reasons why they should learn from people who have been there and done that, and keeping costs as reasonable as possible, there isn’t much more we can do.

OIVAC is in its 5th year, and with so many educational opportunities surfacing each year, sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate one learning opportunity from another. We can proudly say that the industry’s convention is the only activity where any VA, no matter the locale or income, should be able to participate and take advantage of training from industry and other business experts, in one setting, from the comforts of home.

Okay Katie, time to move on to the next stop.

Sharon, really? Is it over already?! I know you’re busy, and I hope to catch up with you again soon.

(Sharon speaking) Well, yesterday, I took a break and stayed at our home station, OIVAC. Now I’m back on the tracks and have enjoyed my visit here at Loose Ends. Tomorrow, I travel over to Amy Blesser’s blog at  Virtual Services 4 U. Don’t forget to stop over and see what she has in store for the Podcast and Blog Hopping VA.

To visit the other participating Blog and Podcasts on the tour, hop to this list of participants.