Hello, my name is Sandra and I am proud to be a Professional Virtual Assistant! I have worked in the Virtual Assisting Industry as an independent VA and through a Virtual Staffing Agency (VSA). I have done Sales and Customer Service for a VSA and I have been a client with a VA Team of my own. I've seen it from every angle! I have developed a passion not only for this industry but also for mentoring and training women who want to have successful VA Businesses.
The Business of You
The meaning of the term Virtual Assistant seems to have gotten lost in a sea of logistics and semantics that instead of clarifying and defining has confused the issue even more. The term Virtual Assistant has become a generic one that can mean almost anything including Freelancer, Independent Contractor, Personal Assistant, Telecommuter, Secretary, Administrative Expert, Office Assistant and more. Even Virtual Assistants are often confused about what the term means and some get downright hostile over how it is used.
We can break it down a bit and say that “Virtual” refers to someone who doesn’t work at the clients office. “Assistant” just means someone who helps someone. But that doesn’t really tell anyone anything. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. It’s time to get over it and get down to business. The Business of You.
Your business is defined by you, not other Virtual Assistants, not The VA Industry (whatever that is) and not by me. It’s up to You! You determine the services you offer clients and how you offer them. You must be very clear about that in every aspect of your business from marketing materials to contracts. Don’t educate your clients on what you are not or what you don’t do. Focus on the solutions you offer and how they can benefit your clients.
As my father used to say, “I don’t care what they call me, as long as they call me.” Then it’s Game On!
Now go win your game.
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
-From Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, 1594
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Sandra,
I love what you wrote! Great job!
virtual assistant is a very well known term in internet marketing world. Its like a small biz outsourcing.
Hi Pinky, Yes, it’s a well known term but with many definitions.
Thanks, for stopping by!
Sandra
Hi Julie, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know!
Sandra
Hello Sandra, I wont say with many definition but with different skills.
Hi Pinky, And that’s just the point: different skills - one term. What I have found is that there are many Virtual Assistants who are trying to define the industry into a set definition. So they are trying to create an “off-the-rack” solution to something that, in my opinion, should be a custom fit.
I have also found that the Virtual Assistants who get so huffy over how the term is used are focusing more on how a VA structures their business as opposed to the services they offer. For example, there are VAs who feel that you should not call yourself a VA if you use a Virtual Staffing Agency to bring in clients and handle your billing. I believe that the services you offer should be the focus and it shouldn’t matter if you market via a blog or via a VSA or both. How a VA structures and markets their business is their choice and should continue to be their choice.