I refer to myself as...

HI I am Danielle and I own blah blah....then they ask what I do and I say. I am a Creative Admin Consultant =)

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Dani
http://www.danimagestro.com

I prefer the term "independent contractor" because the definition of a consultant is one who provides "expert" advice. I am not an expert in the businesses in which my prospective clients operate. On the contrary, I am/will be "A person who contracts to do work for another person according to his or her own processes and methods; the contractor is not subject to another's control except for what is specified in a mutually binding agreement for a specific job." JM2C

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Collaborative Business Support

I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one that gets the blank stares. I like the term business consultant and I will be borrowing it.

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Gisel K. Hernandez
Your Virtual Clone

I always refer to myself as a 'Virtual PA' it always comes with a 'REALLY? what's that'

People understand the concept of the traditional PA but not Virtually so they're always very interested in what I have to say

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Kels

www.kellycairns.co.uk

I am definitely going to use Business Consultant. People understand that more than Virtual Assistant. We get plenty of blank stares so hopefully that helps!

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Lauren & Melanie - VaVa Virtual Assistants www.VaVaVirtual.com

Malaika, I'm just starting out too, but when I introduce myself to others I always say I'm a virtual assistant. So, maybe I didn't help at all but if someone has something different I would love to know also.

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Vanessa Jackson
Administrator2Go

On my business cards, I put that I am an Administrative Professional. I tend to prefer that over Virtual Assistant.

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Stacy White, Spectrum Office Solutions
www.ask4sos.com

I personally have seen some very irritable rants about the word "assistant", which I don't agree with. Some people have a problem with the "subordinate" position it can insinuate. The fact of the matter is, no matter how much you work with someone, you aren't the CEO of their company, so in fact you are subordinate in that sense.

I personally find that the 3rd definition of the word "assistant" is very nice. It means someone who supplements. I think that is very much in alignment with what we do, so I rather like it.

For those who have issues with the word, I like administrative consultant. I do agree that it's probably a good practice to explain what you do, when networking, rather than what your title is.

Whew! Sorry that was so long, but I hope it helped.

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Amanda S. Howell
Help In A Hurry LLC

I introduce myself as a virtual subcontractor. This way I open myself to all virtual service providers. They don't have to be a VA to subcontract too. Just as long as they provide a service. Referring to yourself as a VA should make you proud of becoming part of a new industry.

I use my elevator speech. A lot people don't know what a VA is or does. An elevator speech gives me the opportunity to explain how VA saves your company time and money.