As a virtual assistant, I am often asked, “What DO you DO?”

rbhf_96With about 5 seconds to capture the asker’s interest before succumbing to the ‘glazed over-deer-in-the-headlights-look’ with my traditional, boring response, I decided to shake things up a bit…and respond with a question instead.

Now I know this goes against what my mother taught me, “Don’t answer a question with a question” but she’ll forgive me for breaking the rules!

You see, as a virtual assistant…these are two words which do not really mean...Click here to read the rest of this post at Your Virtual Wizard.

Your Virtual Wizard Blog is authored by VAF member Janine of Your Virtual Wizard.


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Janine, I loved this post - and your creative approach to solving the problem of explaining what you do in a way that not only makes sense to the listener, but taps their pain points. Nice solution!

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Good stuff! I enjoyed the article and will have to keep your tips in mind when I start networking and so forth in the next 2 months.

Thanks!
Amy

Thank you, Tess and Amy. It was fun to write that piece.

I just used the, 'Did you ever...?' approach the other day. A pleasant, naive neighbor asked me what I did for a living and my first inclination was to go into, "Well, I'm a virtual assistant...blah, blah......boring," but I remembered the advice from this article. I'd better 'walk the talk'. So I replied, "Did you ever try to sign up for a coupon or a special offer on a website? Well, I activate those coupons, write the ads and set the information up so that those coupons go right into your Inbox!"

The neighbor paused. I could see she was digesting that information believing that I was indeed an coupon expert and she said, "Can you then stop all the spam from going into my email box? Sometimes I can't find my coupons."

Another neighbor came by and the first neighbor introduced me as the 'virtual assistant who makes online coupons'...hey...she remembered what I said which meant that my message got across!

Thanks,
Janine

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New VAs: I personally recommend Become A Virtual Assistant to Get Started!

Wonderful, wonderful post, Janine! I will absolutely put this great suggestion to the test. Thank you!

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

Thanks, Mary. Kudos from you means a lot!

Janine

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New VAs: I personally recommend Become A Virtual Assistant to Get Started!

Fantastic post! I too was at that point recently and ended up revamping my services page so that I no longer give a list of things I do, I give examples of how I can be the solution to problems. I love your 'have you ever' angle too!

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~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& author of the VA Survival Guide & Workbook

Excellent blog post Janine! You came up with a solution that many of us have been trying to do for ever!

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!
Andrea~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

I just read your blog Janine and I think it's a terrific solution for the "What Do You Do" question. As soon as I get my business cards printed and start networking I, too, will try out your suggestions. Great timing for me. Thanks!

Sylvia

Great idea Janine!

I will definitely start incorporating that now when I am asked. You want to capture the person standing in front of you and you have found the perfect way to do so.

Thanks!

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Amy
TAG Virtual Office, LLC

What a great approach to the ever popular question- what do you do exactly? Thank you for sharing this very clever way of expressing just what it is you do and how you can help a business owner.

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

This is excellent. Thank you so much, Janine

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-Jean
Simplify it, delegate it.

Oh wow - great perspective, thanks!

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Professional VA By Design
Your Work, Your Business, Your Life

Thanks for sharing, I recently realized that the "I'm a virtual assistant" doesn't always sound as exciting as it is. This is a great way to go about that and I love the idea that was shared about incorporating this into your website.

Great post, and I think it really is a great way to avoid the glazed look from some people. You've hit on a point that I think really affects our industry and our mindsets as business owners.

I've started looking at it in two ways:

1. Those who lose interest or stop listening after asking me about my business don't need me badly enough. In my area, online business and eCommerce is not popular, nor are websites for brick and mortar stores. It's a rural area that is happily lagging behind the times, so right now, my time is not best used trying to educate locals on the merits of virtual assistants. Instead, I market towards those that already understand the value of my services.

2. Instead of trying to describe what I am, I have much better luck telling people what I do - and in particular what I could do for them. Even if they don't totally understand, they walk away knowing I work with small business owners as an administrative expert. Which, I think, is better than walking away with an unfamiliar title.

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Crystal Coleman, The Northern Edge