Making the Most of Your VAF Membership: Establish yourself as an expert

Forums and online communities are the original social networks - participating in the conversation and making the most of all that your free membership at Virtual Assistant Forums has to offer is an important part of your internet marketing plan - IF you take advantage of the opportunity. Here’s how!

Establish yourself as an expert:
You work with clients to take THEIR businesses to the next level... but what about your OWN business? It's time to establish yourself as an expert. This is much easier than it sounds, and it doesn't require a silly badge for this or that certification. What it takes is solid, working knowledge of your specialty, the ability to articulate that knowledge, and CONFIDENCE.

Virtual Assistant Forums is one of the most important tools you can use to establish yourself as an expert because you're directly reaching two very important audiences: your peers, and your potential clients.

According to Kim LeRiche of JK Virtual Office Resources "Any Virtual Assistant can establish themselves as an expert by answering questions and posting useful resources related to their niche or specialty. The level of visibility among other VAs, or anyone reading the forums, can be extremely valuable in promoting yourself and your business. Potential clients and fellow VAs gain insight into how knowledgeable a VA is in a particular specialty area from simply reading their contributions to the VAF community."


How to go from Everyday VA to Expert VA:
- Answer questions at VAF - show off your knowledge and skill in your particular niche by writing thoughtful, resourceful answers to questions related to your specialty

- Share resources related to your niche - explain why and how a program, website, book, event, etc. is beneficial or even crucial to your own practice and/or your clients

- Post your thoughts and opinions on news stories and events related to your specialty - link to and paraphrase those stories to keep your response in context.