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The Premier Virtual Assistant AssociationThe Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is the premier Virtual Assistant association with a body of Virtual Assistant business knowledge and know-how that is second to none! Our passion is helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses that bring them more money and greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction.
What Is a Virtual Assistant? A Virtual Assistant is a solopreneur who specializes in providing ongoing, collaborative-style administrative support. Like other professional service providers, Virtual Assistants operate remotely from their own places of business and utilize today's technology to deliver their services and communicate with clients. Virtual Assistants are first and foremost administrative experts. Virtual Assistants sometimes offer additional, separate specialties that fall under creative and/or technical services. Virtual Assistance is a specialty in and of itself! Virtual Assistants are not generalists. A Virtual Assistant is not anyone who does anything and everything virtually. Virtual Assistants are administrative experts. They specialize in providing ongoing administrative support to clients they work with in long-term, collaborative relationship. Unlike secretarial services, their business model and primary business focus is not on selling line-item, piecemeal tasks and projects on a one-time or occasional basis. The "thing" they are in business to offer is a comprehensive body of right-hand administrative support they provide to clients on a continuous, not intermittant, basis. They administratively support the whole business and the whole client, not just one task here and there. As a Virtual Assistant, what are some of the things you'd like to achieve?
These goals are exactly why we exist! We have created a safe-haven where business-minded Virtual Assistants can ask questions and explore new ways of operating and thinking that will help them achieve those goals as solopreneurs. It's a place where Virtual Assistants can get together to brainstorm, vet ideas and learn best practices from each other in a supportive environment filled with fun, camaraderie and collaboration, not competition. We are the Virtual Assistant organization exclusively for Virtual Assistants who are serious about their chosen profession and creating successful, profitable businesses. We believe that by helping Virtual Assistants become better business people and run more sustainable practices, we not only elevate the Virtual Assistant profession, but also better serve clients. The smarter we all are in business, the better we then educate the marketplace. As a result, Virtual Assistants will have a wider range of more informed industries seeking our services, which will benefit all of us in getting clients and commanding professional fees. If you want to be among those who are making the big bucks in the Virtual Assistant industry and creating businesses that allow them to achieve personal and financial freedom and success, then the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is the Virtual Assistant association for you. The Virtual Assistants who join our ranks are driven and committed to making their business a success. They are tired of working themselves to the bone and still not making any money. They want to learn how it can be done better, easier and more efficiently with greater profitability and superior client service. They want to talk about real business and learn proven strategies for marketing, finding clients, navigating the consultation process and setting foundations in their business that will lead to true growth, freedom, financial success and personal satisfaction. If you are ready to be challenged to think in new ways and grow your business to an entirely different level, it is our sincere pleasure to welcome you to join today. To your success!
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Shannon Abbott, The Virtual Vantage
Mary Judge, Virtually Working for You
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| © 2006-09 . All U.S. & International rights reserved. . |
I
had nothing when I became a member of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of
Commerce — no clients, no prospects, nothing! But becoming a member
of the VACOC hit home that I had what it takes to succeed as a Virtual
Assistant. I had the experience, the skills, and the administrative know-how.
And what I didn’t have, I’ve learned from you and the other
members. What I didn’t have was the know-how to run a successful
business, put my processes in place, and go after clients successfully.
I’ve learned not to sell myself short and to stick to my principles,
even when I’m tempted to do otherwise. I’ve benefitted so
much that I couldn’t possibly put it all into this message, and
I’ve gained a lot also. I’ve gained confidence, knowledge,
a support system, and friends. Because of what I have learned and put
into practice from the VACOC, I now have two paying retainer clients!
I wasn’t getting the value, the mentorship, or the skills I needed
to grow my business in that way from any of the other Virtual Assistant
forums that I belonged to, and now I only participate in one — the
VACOC!— because it’s the one that has helped me get to where
I am today. I'm nowhere near where I want to be yet, but with my continued
participation and the coaching I receive from the VACOC, I know I’ll
get there! At this time last year I couldn’t see that at all, and
had I not been accepted and had the opportunity to learn and grow as I
have, I would have given up and gone back to my day job!
When
I joined the VACOC, I must confess that I originally thought I would make
my minimum contribution to the forum just to keep my membership active.
Boy was I wrong. In the year that I have had the privilege of being a
member, I can honestly say that I have learned more than I could possibly
imagine. Once I started to participate in the forum I found that it was
a very worthwhile experience (both as a contributor and a taker). I think
the most important thing I learned is how to stand up for myself. If we
let our clients take advantage of us, they will. I’ve learned how
to master difficult conversations and know that I am a better person for
doing it. Making difficult decisions on your own can be daunting at times
but putting the question out to everyone ensures that we are not alone
and most likely someone else has encountered the same or similar situation.
Taking initiative for my own marketing decisions has been another benefit.
The friendship and camaraderie that has developed over this past year
has been most valuable. Working from home as a sole proprietor can be
a lonely place sometimes. Just being able to log into the forum and talk
to my friends “around the water cooler” sometimes seems like
we really are together in the office. It has certainly brought the “virtual”
world closer together. Everyone has been a friend and supporter. Whether
it is a friendly birthday greeting or a shoulder to cry on while dealing
with a difficult family time, or a congratulatory pat on the back for
a job well done, everyone is there for each other, just like real friends.
Thursday night chats are a time that I look forward to when I’m
able to make it.
I
feel "at home" professionally at the VACOC. I learn and I grow,
and that's not something that I have gotten from any of the other Virtual
Assistant organizations. It's nice to be learning something rather than
always one of the ones teaching for a change... not that I mind giving
back at all... I just like to get something out of it as well. You have
helped me to rethink how I operate my business and remember the reasons
that I wanted to own my own business in the first place. All the tech
tips and such are great as well, but I think it's more the "attitude"
that I'm here for the adjusting! LOL (Guess that's not grammatically correct...but
it wasn't meant to be ;-) 
Just
wanted to say thank you! I am so glad that I found your site. I started
researching on how to take my business virtual for a number of reasons,
yet I kept stalling because I didn't want more of the same task-related
activities. the information you've shared on this site, and in the forms
and brochures you've authored, has helped me focus in the right direction--the
direction I want to go. I think I can complete the website now, find the
Virtual Assistant clients I enjoy working with and begin redesigning my
life the way I want. You are a Godsend!