When I worked in publishing there were tons of trade shows we would have to go to in order to market that particular magazine. For example we would publish a pet magazine then we would go to pet trade shows, etc. I was just wondering if there were any types of trade shows for VAs to go to in order to market their business?

Trish

I have not heard of any VA specific trade shows.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I have not heard of any *trade* shows but we do have conferences and events. The next event is FOVA and will be held in Toronto this May. The link to the thread that discusses this event is here

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

The industry is still pretty new, so events specifically for VAs are few and far between and a trade show is also something I've not yet heard of (and would be a lucrative idea for anyone who wanted to organize such a thing! ) - but if there is anything on the calendar in terms of conferences, etc. and we've gottten word of it, it's listed here.

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Based on the example you provided I think the type of trade show we'd attend would be different for each one of us depending on our niche.

If someone serviced realtors specifically they would go to a realty trade show, which I wouldn't go to because they aren't my niche. If someone's niche was event coordination they might go to a trade show in their area which highlighted venues, caterers, speakers, coordinators, etc. Right?

I mean, if we went to a VA trade show there would be only a bunch of VAs there, right? Vendors who might attend our tradeshow would be anyone on the cool tool or our list of favorite services.

I think the type you would attend depends on if you want to learn or sell. OR do I have the tradeshow concept wrong?

Sundi

Excellent point Sundi, and I totally agree with you but missed that angle entirely....lol

Yes, that makes perfect sense...

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Yes Sundi, you have the trade show concept right. But if you work for all types of people who include Realtors, Lawyers, etc. you can attend all their trade shows in order to market your business to that specific group. As well as trade shows specifically for small business owners, assuming your niche is a bit of everything

I agree with the responses. The best way to reach your target market is to market your business where they hang out! A tradeshow or conference is a great way to do that. In the past, I have had a tradeshow booth as well as advertising with good results. On the flip side, I would personally attend a technology tradeshow or something that would benefit my business.

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

i would try trade shows for different types of niches.