Having a VTC/USD exchange would be the best thing to do IMO. It will allow the public to buy VTC without first buying BTC, thus removing the fear/distrust of BTC in the process. It'll also allow people like me who are not mining fast enough to get more VTC easily .

I've happily engaged people on mining, some of them get it and some don't, never hurts to try . I don't think it makes sense to explain cryptocurrency to anyone without talking about mining. Where do the coins come from then? I've frequently used the concept of actual (gold/silver) mining to explain it and get a eureka moment.