Thinking about taking the “Virtual Office Assistant” class, but
need more information first?

This Spring semester, Grossmont College will once again be offering an exciting class designed for today’s economy  - "Creating a Virtual Office." Some of you may not be fully aware of what a "Virtual Assistant" is, so I have created this resource so that you can learn a little more about what we will be offering in next semester, and can be better prepared to decide if this class fits your educational goals.

I know that this is an extensive list, but check or 2 or 3 links every so often when you need a break or feel like doing something different, and before you know it, you will know all about Virtual Assistants, and hopefully share my enthusiasm for this new class. After reading some of these articles, I'm sure you'll feel as I do that this is one of the hottest career opportunities happening presently, and can satisfy such a diverse group of workers.

There is still room in this emerging field to be successful. The number of professional VA’s has grown from under 100 in the early 1990’s to over 3000 in 2004. The annual VA income has risen 20-40% from 2003 to 2004 as VA’s become more desirable and in-demand. You can start full time or part time or maybe just continue working for your present employer as a telecommuter. Either way, this class will help you get started.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Tom Smerk – Grossmont College Virtual Office instructor - tom.smerk@gcccd.edu 

Linda Snider – Grossmont College BOT Coordinator – linda.snider@gcccd.edu

Articles about Virtual Assistants:

Business Week Online

The Real Advantage of Farming It Out

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/news/columns/98-37/e3595061.htm

Business Week Online

The Many Virtues of Virtual Services

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/news/columns/98-37/e3595059.htm

Inc.com

Get Help Running Your Business, Virtually

http://www.inc.com/resources/office/articles/20060501/morgan.html

Inc.com

Employ a Virtual Helper

http://www.inc.com/articles/2000/07/20111.html

Bankrate.com

Virtual assistants give entrepreneurs real help

http://www.bankrate.com/ust/news/biz/biz_ops/19990802.asp

Austin Business Journal:

Virtual Personal Assistants can be a Real Help

http://austin.bcentral.com/austin/stories/2000/12/04/smallb4.html

Bucks County Courier Times:

They do it all without leaving the house

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/147-11062003-192049.html

BusinessWeek online:

The Catch in Being a Virtual Assistant

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/nov2000/sb20001122_740.htm

Christian Science Monitor:

Think you've got the right stuff to 'go virtual'?

http://www.csmonitor.com/2000/0717/p16s2.html

Christian Women Today:

A New Frontier: The Advent of the Virtual Assistant

http://www.christianwomentoday.com/workplace/virtualassist.html

CNN:

Do You Need Virtual Assistance?

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/08/21/biz.trav.virtual.assitance

Denver Business Journal:

Virtual Assistants can be Online Life Savers

http://denver.bcentral.com/denver/stories/2001/09/10/smallb5.html

eMediaWire:

The International Virtual Assistants Association Announces Sponsors for Upcoming Summit

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/9/emw282292.htm

ePOWERNews:

You Can Throw Your Shoebox Away With This Virtual Bookkeeper

http://www.epowernews.com/articles/art0407/03vap_0407.htm

ePOWERNews:

This VA's Lead Management Skills Keep You In Front Of Your Customers

http://www.epowernews.com/articles/art0603/04vap_0603.htm

Entrepreneur.com:

Starting a Virtual Assistant Business

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,316200,00.html

Entrepreneur.com:

Virtual Assistant -- Help Manage Clients' Offices From Your Home Office

http://www.entrepreneur.com/Magazines/MA_SegArticle/0,1539,285985----1-,00.html

Forbes Web Site Reviews:

Best of the Web Directory

http://www.forbes.com/bow/b2c/review.jhtml?id=3403

Freelance.wurk.net:

Financial Success! The OffAssist Interview

http://writingspark.com/?p=24

Herald Tribune:

It's All Too Much? Virtual Assistants Can Lighten The Load

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060312/COLUMNIST07/603120396/1007/BUSINESS

Make the RIGHT TURN on Red:

"Happily Ever After" -- Corie's Story

http://www.right-turn-on-red.com/www.right-turn-on-red.comFamilyTransitionsCorie.htm

Monster.com Career Advice:

Admins Tough It Out for the Future

http://adminsupport.monster.com/articles/state

Monster.com Career Advice:

The Virtual Assistant: Regain Control and Love Your Job

http://adminsupport.monster.com/articles/virtassistant

Monster.com Podcast:

Podcast: Virtual Assistant

http://podcast.monster.com/articles/drena_moothart

MyBUSINESS Magazine:

Help from Afar

http://www.mybusinessmag.com/fullstory.php3?sid=532

Network World:

Virtual Assistant Industry Taking Shape

http://www.networkworld.com/net.worker/columnists/2001/1126kistner.html

Office of Career and Technical Education, Virginia Dept. of Education:

Career Prospects in Virginia: Virtual Assistants

http://www3.ccps.virginia.edu/careerprospects/briefs/T-Z/VirtualAsst.shtml

Puget Sound Business Journal:

Virtual Assistants Enjoy Flexibility, Independence

http://seattle.bcentral.com/seattle/stories/2002/01/21/focus1.html

QuickBooks E-News Central:

Manage Your Books From Any "Port" In The World

http://www.qbenews.com/L3/SmBiz/vol10/QBOnlineEd_Apr04.html

QuickBooks Online Edition:

Efficient For Accountants: Testimonials

http://oe.quickbooks.com/accountants.shtml

Realtor Magazine:

Virtual Assistants -- Business Support a Click Away

http://www.onerealtorplace.com/tr.nsf/0625607f00685d4f862560230069d331/bce80a9813fa2f368625682e0071f5a6?OpenDocument

Realtor Magazine Online:

What to do when...You want to grow but can't yet afford in-house staff

http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.NSF/pages/whatodowhenjan05?OpenDocument

Realty Times:

The Virtual Assistant

http://realtytimes.com/rtnews/rtapages/20000707_virtualassistant.htm

Small Business Chicago:

Partnering in Your Business Success - Virtual Assistants

http://www.smallbusinesschicago.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=39&PHPSESSID=bf74296a2d00591a9ba202ff91d79ef3

SmallBusinessComputing.com:

I Could Have Hired a VA

http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/buyersguide/article.php/3642576

Small Business Television:

Small Business Television Interviews Sue Kramer, Marketing Director

http://www.sbtv.com/?segid=882

Small Business Times:

The Virtual Administrator -- Technology Helps Small Businesses Outsource Tasks

http://biztimes.datajoe.com/app/ecom/pub_article_details.php?id=78230

USATODAY.com:

Start Your Own Virtual Assistant Business

http://www.usatoday.com/small/tightrope/2001-03-07-tightrope-howtova.htm

Virtual Assistance U:

IVAA Member Becomes New Trainer for VAU

http://www.marketvolt.com/custapp/cv.aspx?cm=15872596&x=88276704&c=447086

Women Today Magazine:

A New Frontier: The Advent of the Virtual Assistant

http://www.womentodaymagazine.com/career/virtual%20assistants.html

Here's a list of Virtual Assistant Organizations that can offer more information:

IVAA

http://www.ivaa.net

International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) is an organization for the virtual assisting industry, working to develop and maintain professional standards and help ensure the reputation, growth, and future strength of the industry and its members individually.

VASummit.org

www.oivac.com

The 3rd Annual Online International Virtual Assistant's Convention ("OIVAC") is a virtual trade show and educational opportunity conducted 100% online through easy to use web conferencing technology. This year's theme, "Pathways to Successful VA Practices:  Using Communication & Technology to Enhance Business" highlights various communication and technology resources Virtual Assistants and their clients use to enhance productivity and reduce costs.

Virtual Professionals

http://www.Virtual-Professionals.com

Member‑based organization based on promoting all virtual professionals worldwide. The site offers a wide variety of resources for professional development.

Desk Demon

http://www.adminprof.com

Provides resources, articles and information for Administrative Assistants, Executive Assistants, Virtual Assistants and Office Professionals of all types.

Virtual Business Group

http://www.VirtualBizGroup.com

A community of Virtual Office Professionals dedicated to helping YOU accomplish all of your office needs.

Canadian Virtual Assistant Connection

http://wvw.CVASuccess.com

Focused on supporting fellow Canadian Virtual Assistants with meetings, workshops, and events Canada‑Wide to be held in each Province where VAs are located.

Home‑Based Working Moms

http://wvw.HBWM.com

HBWM is an online community and professional association for parents who work at home and those who would like to. HBWM offers a unique Work‑at‑Home Kit for moms, as well as association benefits which include a monthly newsletter, a weekly e‑ newsletter, member's listserv, panel of experts, online membership directory, support, networking, information and discounts on various products and services.

VANetworking Forum

http://www.vanetworking.com

Virtual Assistant Networking Forum (VANF) is a global networking forum for virtual assistants. It offers a comfy area on the net where they can login to hear the latest new about their career path, hear about a new transcription product, catch a coffee with another friendly VA, find answers to their questions: and much more.

Womans‑Net

http://www.womans-net.com

Kim Haas is the Founder of Womans‑Net, an online community for women. Womans‑Net provides a multitude of online resources to both members and nonmembers. Whether you're just starting out or just want to build your existing business, Womans‑Net can help you achieve your goals. Subscribe to WomansNet News, a valuable resource for site information, fun polls, member introductions for networking opportunities and more. Head on over and join Kelly's Success as a Virtual Assistant forum.

Business Know‑How(sm)

http://www.businessknowhow.com

Offers a wealth of how‑to information and resources that will help you start a business and grow your business, find customers, solve business problems, increase your profits, and succeed. Available on the web at http://www.businessknowhow.com and at keyword "Business Know‑How on America Online, the site provides feature articles, access to experts, community message boards, tools and business‑to‑business networking opportunities that make starting, running and doing business easier and more profitable.

The website has several features that are not available through the AOL forums. These include links to sample business plans and a searchable business‑to‑business directory. The directory is a handy way to locate small business product and service providers and to be found.

SCORE

http://www.score.org

800‑634‑0245

(or under U.S. Government, Small Business Administration in your area)

SCORE is the "Service Corps of Retired Executives." It is dedicated to aiding small businesses (home businesses as well) to grow and succeed. I've been to several SCORE meetings and I have found them exceptionally worthwhile. In fact, in my area they assign a personal representative to assist you. You can set up a meeting with him/her and go over all ideas you have on starting your business. You can also receive e‑mail counseling on the Internet.

Small Business Association (SBA)

http://www.sba.gov

800‑827‑5722

The Small Business Administration was created by Congress in 1953 with the purpose of helping small‑business owners with financial assistance, management counseling, and training. The SBA provides you with a wealth of information, including many seminars and workshops, and publishes excellent literature. Their website can assist you in starting your business, financing your business, business opportunities, offices and services, local SBA offices, etc.

American Home Business Association

http://www.homebusiness.com

800‑664‑2422

Unique services include a BBS with Internet address, merchant accounts for Visa and MasterCard acceptance', individual insurance, including major medical benefits, term and life insurance, pension plans and IRAs, disability income replacement, and discounts for hotel and long‑distance calls.

Women Designers Group

http://www.womendesignersgroup.com

Digital‑Women

http://www.digital-women.com

IAVOA

http://www.IAVOA.com

The IAVOA is a means of networking with other VAs and establishing Strategic Partnerships. The IAVOA uses direct word‑of‑mouth marketing from current members. IAVOA has established Strategic Partnerships with VAU and the RSS Herald to put the message out.

And finally, here are some web sites of working Virtual Assistants:

Renae Bolton

Triple J WordProcessing Co.

http://www.triple-j-net

Founder ‑Virtual Business Group

http://virtualbizgroup.com

Co‑Author, Business Seeds

http://www.business-seeds.com

216‑791‑8426

Shane Bowlin

Shane@AskShane.com

www.AskShane.com

Deerfield Beach, FL

954‑571‑9868

Ginger Brown

The Writer's Typist

TheWritersTypist@yahoo.com

Melbourne, Florida

(321) 242‑1790

Janice Byer, CCVA, MVA

Docu‑Type Administrative & Web Design Services

Caledon East, Ontario, Canada

jbyer@docutype.net

http://www.docutype.net

905‑584‑1746 (this may change

Newsletter ‑ Docu‑Type's Virtual TidBits

http://www.docutype.net/news.htm

Ebook ‑ Surfin' The Net ‑ Docu‑Type's Virtual Collection of Links

http://www.docutype.net/SurfinTheNeti/linksbook.htm

Founding Member & Executive Director of     CVA Success, An organization for Canadian ­based VAs

http://www.cvasuccess.com

Jeannine Clontz

Accurate Business Services

Jeannine@Accbizsvcs.com

http://www.Accbizsvcs.com

Arnold (Just south of St. Louis), MO

636‑282‑9550

Theresa Coscia

Your Personal Assistant

cmerryteri@aol.com

602‑2249‑0126

Tena Cummings

A Page In Time Designs

http://apageintimedesigns.tripod.com

Bernadefte Davis

Virtually Yours

Office Assistant Services

http://www.virtuallyours-oas.net

Rochester, New York

Phone & Fax: 585‑323‑1998

Nina Feldman

Nina Feldman Connections

http://www.connections@ninafeldman.com

Clara D. Fyffe

812‑935‑8008

cfyffe@aIlwriteva.com

http://www.allwriteva.com

Alfred Gandee

International Association of Virtual Office Assistants (IAVOA)

Poteau, Oklahoma

http://www.iavoa.com

fred@iavoa.com

Cosponsor – http://www.vacertification.com

Patsy LaFave

The Write Place

writeplace@earthlink.net

Imlay City, Michigan

810‑721‑0822

Gwen Males

selene1@home.com

http://www.virtualassistant.bizhosting.com

416‑433‑0933

Kimberly Mann

Behind the Scenes VA

BehindTheScenesVA@comcast.net

P.O. Box 366

Hatfield, PA 19440

215‑353‑8820

Dawn Mayo

Absolute Document Services

301‑498‑1975

301‑498‑1996 Fax

http://www.yourremoteoffice.com

Julie McMann

Effective Results

julie@effective‑results.com

http://www.effective-results.com

West Jordan, UT

801‑982‑7834

Andrea Pixley

Andrea M. Pixley, Virtual Assistant

va@andreapixley.com

http://andreapixley.com

Portales, NM (but will be moving again by next summer)

877‑803‑6945

4MilitaryFamilies.com

andrea@4militaryfamilies.com

http://4militaryfamilies.com

877‑804‑1562

Kathy Ritchie

Ritchie secretarial Service

RSS Herald

Aurora, CO

303‑367‑4545

http://www.thebestva.com

http://www.rssherald.com

The RSS Herald (www.rssherald.com) is considered essential reading for new and established virtual assistants. This is a free newsletter published monthly by industry leaders. The RSS Herald provides tips, advice and encouragement for virtual assistants, and is a place where VAs turn to for the latest news.

Barbara Rowen

Virtually Everything

P.O. Box 50172

Boise, ID 83705

208‑384‑1291

barowen@virtuallyeverything.net

http://www.virtuallyeverything.net

Patty Shannon

The Wordstation

pworks@bellatlantic.net

539 Main Street

Avon‑by‑the‑Sea, NJ 07717

732‑774‑4831

Fax: 732‑869‑1822

Jill Sharkey

Info To Go

http://www.OnlinelnfoToGo.com

Tisha Silvers

Agape Business Solutions

Tisha@agapeBusinessSolutions.com

323‑756‑2672

Melana Tautkus

Type, etc.

Kathie M. Thomas, AFAIOP, MVA, ASO

PO Box 2918,

Cheltenham, Vic, Australia, 3192

Ph: +613 9583 8359 Fax: +613 9585 3785

http://www.asecretary.com.au

Receive our newsletter: ACS News

Vivian Vican

Nerd World Productions

646 Baltic St.

Brooklyn, NY 11217‑3102

718‑789‑6520

nerdworld@aol.com

http://nerdworld.scriptmania.com

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