If you could pick just one area of training to use in your VA biz what would it be?
Web Design
SEO
Transcription
etc..

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Victoria Justice
Aspiring VA and Mommy

Hi Victoria,

My initial reaction is that it all depends on the services you are offering to your clients. If you are someone that offers web design, then SEO is probably something you would want to have a good handle on.

If you offer Transcription, then knowing how to utilize all of the software, hardware that goes along with it is imperative.

I would say overall, a very important area training every VA should have is general business management. Being a Virtual Assistant means being a business owner, so a working knowledge of how to run a business, pay your taxes, do your accounting, get insurance, create policies and procedures, etc....that is a must have and will help you run your business most effectively and professionally.

Business management training can be achieved simply by going to your local library and reading business management books. You can take a course at your local community college or even adult schooling offers general business management courses. Also, if you have access to iTunes, check out iTunes University for some free courses on general business management.

Darlene

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Victoria,

Great question! I agree with Darlene on business management. However since I am adept at all the management functions, mine personally would be writing for my business. I could always use more learning in this area and actually have it on my list of continuing ed items.

I also agree that it should also be based on your offerings and what you feel your own business is lacking.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Aside from what Darlene and Lee have said, which makes perfect sense to me, I'd say that from what I can see of the industry as a whole the number one most important skill a VA can learn is how to project him/her self with CONFIDENCE and the ability to communicate in a way that says 'Yes, I am a business owner, take me seriously!'. So, maybe a public speaking course, or delving into the Law of Attraction [depending on the particular VAs perception of such things].

It seems like so often regardless of the services being offered or the skills behind them the biggest hurdle many VAs have to overcome is the simple belief that they can succeed, that they are good at what they do, and to stop comparing themselves to other VAs who've been in buiness longer, etc. etc.

I know you're asking about more tangible skill-related items here, but I truly believe that confidence in and of itself is a skill, and a learned one at that. And in many cases, when it comes to winning new contracts with clients, it's more than half the battle.

Just my two cents

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I agree with Tess. It's so easy to feel like you can't do it - or if you don't get that first client right away that you're a failure. It takes a lot of self confidence and self love to hang in there. Things will happen if you just work at it - knowing that you are good! Don't care if you sit at home in you pj's or a business suit - as long as you are confident in yourself.

Maybe VAF needs to design a CONFIDENCE button we can all push on our "bad days"!

Carol
CJ's Virtual Business Solutions
www.cjvbs.com

Love the CONFIDENCE button idea!
I would be pushing it like crazy right now lol

Confidence is something I am definitely lacking right now. I worry about things like: Am I trained enough for this job? Will I perform to the clients satisfaction?
Will I even get clients? Etc...

Going crazy before I even get started lol

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Victoria Justice
Aspiring VA and Mommy

Ditto for all the previous posts. For me, maintaining confidence in my abilities is definitely at the top of the list. Each day, there is at least an hour set aside to work on certain skills. Public speaking is my current course so I have joined Toastmasters. Also, I have learned that there are several options for courses specifically for VA's so those courses will definitely be on my list of things to do.

So hang in there and know that you already have everything it takes to be successful, you just need to sharpen those tools.

Sheila

Lovely thread. Like all the comments here.

I've been thinking that the one unifying skill all VAs share is competence on the computer and, in most cases, the internet. Because we're 'virtual,' we have to be well-versed in communicating digitally, and we all use the internet every day, right?

So at the foundation of VA learning is anything related to the internet. You might focus on an area that's not necessarily internet-based (like transcription or accounting) but you'll use internet tools to accomplish your tasks, nonetheless.

Studying all the permutations and interpretations of what the 'virtual' part of our job title means is at the core of our work, IMO.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Thanks for all the comments, it really does help to know there is a wonderful community ready to help and support me.

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Victoria Justice
Aspiring VA and Mommy

This was a great question and the feedback was wonderful! Confidence is key and I feel great motivation here. This is a great community. I am also a newbie to becoming a VA.

Thanks!