I came across this article, "Eliminate 'I'm a Virtual Assistant' from your networking"
http://www.virtuallysuccessful.com/e...ur-networking/

As someone just starting up, I do refer to myself as a Virtual Assistant when talking to friends and family and I do get the blank stare more often than not. Just curious to know how everyone else introduces themselves and their business, whether at networking events or in general.
Do you think you have missed out on potential clients because of the uncertainty of what a VA is and what we do?

Thanks!

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Malaika Nallawangsa
Quick Works | Virtual Office Assistant

I'd love to know what a better alternative would be??

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Alyssa Avant
http://alyssaavant.com

I don't say I'm I'm a virtual assistant when networking. Usually when people ask what I do I give a version of my 'elevator speech'. Getting around a title and telling them what I can actually do to help them seems to get better results for me.

As for my family I told them I was starting a VA business and explained what it was then, my grandmother still doesn't get it lol.

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Stacey Harris
On Demand Virtual Assistant

My family and I have had roundtable discussions on this one. No one in my town knows what a "Virtual Assistant" is. In fact, one business owner said, "What is that, like "make believe assistance"? I about fell over. On the other hand, if you use the word "Outsourcing", people fear that you are going to take their job and the rest think you have something to do with off-shore drilling (I wish...).

I attended my local Women in Networking lunch meeting today. This was only my second meeting, and at the first one, I did introduce myself as "owning Girl Friday Results and we are a Virtual Assistant Company". MANY blank stares. I had to really go into great detail to explain what I could offer. And these people really WANTED to know what I do. Business owners must hear my intro and think, "Go away." So this time around, I planned my intro better.

"My name is Carol Anne Jackson and I own Girl Friday Results. We assist small to medium sized business owners and managers by helping them succeed and grow their business into a goldmine by rearranging the tasks that are done and who does them so they can maximize their profit while lowering their bottom line." Then I hand them my business card which says "Virtual Assistant" AND "Outsourcing" on it, and they all said, "OOOH!!!! So THAT is what a Virtual Assistant is! Very cool!!"

It worked well. This time they asked all kinds of questions and actually wanted to know the areas that I could help THEM save money while building their business. I used both words I swore I wouldn't...but only in print after I explained what those words meant. (Psych major...comes in handy now and then...)

Good Luck!!

Carol Anne

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Girl Friday Results
www.girlfridayresults.com

I normally refer to myself as an Administrative Consultant. On the island where I live, the term is not known at all and I kind of think the word "assistant" puts me in a subordinate position when I am a business owner, it's not that I think badly of the term, it's just personal preference. As the term VA is what people tend to look for on the internet, I have included it on my website and even in my tagline (which may change...)

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Sabrina L. Williams
For a bird's eye view of your business

No, I don't refer to myself as a VA, I always say that I provide transcription and typing services (although often get questions as to a) what is transcription and b) how do I do it all from home!)

I've not yet worked on an elevator pitch, but it's on my "to do" list!

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Bridie's Typing Services - specialising in transcription services
The professional's choice

I no longer refer to myself as a VA, not because of the term but the broadness of it. In my elevator speech I use business and administrative consultant. I also use web marketing consultant too because of the amount of web development and maintenance work.

However, it depends on the group because one that I belong to the founder always introduces my as her VA. At that time I expand on all the ways I help her and other businesses.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Im thinking of using the term Business Consultant.

I call myself a virtual bookkeeper, when asked. At networking meetings, i introduce myself as such and add "I handle the necessary bookkeeping and admin tasks for entrepreneurs so they can focus on growing their business instead of running it."

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I think I'm going to start referring to myself as an online Consultant as opposed to an Assistant (although my company name does say 'virtual office assistant').

Thank you all for the great feedback!

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Malaika Nallawangsa
Quick Works | Virtual Office Assistant