I would caution away from trying to reinvent the wheel. Some people absolutely refuse to call themselves virtual assistants. The term has already be coined, and disseminated to such a degree that you're not going to get around it. The word "assistant" is just a word. It means to provide help to someone. It doesn't make you an employee. Only you can decide if you're an employee or a business-minded person.
Like others have mentioned, some people call themselves various terms. I've heard "administrative consultant", and "virtual consultant" but I find those terms confusing as a VA myself. The word "consultant" conveys a completely different message. It sounds smarter than assistant, but it doesn't accurately define the work we do, in my opinion.
So I decided on virtual assistant. Its even in my company name. But I don't consider myself anyone's employee. I've built my own business my own way with help from no one else. I also keep myself educated and up to speed on various skills by myself. I know what needs to be done and I get it done by myself. I don't have to be managed by anyone.
So make up your own mind. If you don't want to use assistant because it doesn't suit your business name, don't. But don't not use it because it is "demeaning". It's only demeaning to people who let something like a word define the what they bring to the table.
I agree Christheva. Also, in my mind, “consultant” sounds like someone who would be pretty expensive to hire (I think most start at $70 an hour). In contrast, an administrative assistant does not make much money usually. So, to put the words “consultant” and “administrative” together in the term “administrative consultant” looks kind of funny to me.
I go by Digital Media Manager, because that best describes my area of services. I just felt like Digital Media Manager made more sense in the scope of my business. I have no problem being referred to as a VA though.. in the end I still assist clients virtually with their business needs. I think it just depends on your niche and personal preferences.
Aurora I like the way you think!I call myself a Business Solutions Specialist also. I use virtual assistant on my website because its commonly used. However once you view my About Us page I sign my name using my Business Solutions Specialist title.
Just use what title best describes you. Your work will speak for itself. If you want to get hits on your website then include virtual assistant someone on it.
Really Camille? That's great, I love it! And I thought I was being original hehe. Though I was worried since its not a popular term and when I looked it up not many clear answers came up. But I think the name pretty much starts to speak for itself enough that you're not totally lost.
Your method makes sense. The way I refer to myself is both VA/Business Solutions Specialist together...mainly because its a new term for me and because people are more familiar with VA so I feel more comfortable presenting them both together at the moment.
__________________ Aurora Muse|A.Muse Assisting
Helping you unblock your GENIUS,Reclaim Your TIME,Stay INSPIRED
Of course there's some great comments here and as many said, its a personal decision that you will choose what best fits for you.
Personally I don't think highly of the term "Virtual Assistant", not because it makes us an employee in anyway but rather because it feels too general. Its great to be able to umbrella ourselves under one category for purposes like creating a community but I almost feel like its similar to "Virtual Professional" (though that is even more general). I have met people that call themselves VAs but do vastly different things. So personally I think it's better to find a term that really describes what you do for your clients, either paired with VA or standing alone. You can even say something like 'the/your _____ V. A.' so your social media VA or your marketing VA. Etc.
__________________ Aurora Muse|A.Muse Assisting
Helping you unblock your GENIUS,Reclaim Your TIME,Stay INSPIRED
The fiction writer in me would love to come up with a super creative title for myself like Self-Publishing Consultant and Virtual Hand-Holder. Okay, maybe that's not incredibly creative, but I find myself trying to search for SEO titles that will get me the most views and searches online while trying to explain in a title what I'd like to do for clients.
Actually, while not creative, that title above might be starting to grow on me.
I call myself "Executive Virtual Assistant". When I was in the Corporate World my last title was Executive Administrative Assistant, so I figured why not switch out Administrative for Virtual.
Re: How do you title yourself?
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