I have a Google Alert set up for the term Virtual Assistant, and today’s alert brought me a link to an ABC News story on, you guessed it, Virtual Assistants. I was excited at the possibility of a major news network shedding some light on our industry. That was, until the video began.

First, it was obvious that the tasks that the piece was focusing on were “Personal Assistant” tasks, not what I consider ‘Virtual Assistant’ services. And second, once again the dirt cheap aspect of going virtual was focused on, this time quoting $2 a task. The results of using three services offering these low rates and personal assistant services were mixed.

Of course, since I know the Ask Sunday service utilizes overseas virtual assistants, I would suspect at the pricing quoted in the video, the other services mentioned might be as well. I could do an entire post on why that can cause potential problems. But that’s not the point of this post.

The truth is, this video got me wondering if it was time ...Click here to read the rest of this post at the Clerical Advantage Blog.

The Clerical Advantage Blog is authored by VAF member Tina of Clerical Advantage.


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I've seen this trend / issue crop up as well and while I get the reasoning behind it the truth of the matter is that the groundwork has already been laid for the term "Virtual Assistant" - industry veterans and newcomers alike have worked HARD to establish the term, evangelize the industry, and educate clients and the general public.

With that in mind, and online search being what it is, the majority of clients are searching for terms and phrases that include 'virtual assistant'.

Terms like 'online business manager' and similar may sound great but you've got your work cut out for you carving that one into the minds of people who are only just now starting to grasp the VA concept in a way that serves the industry.

I'd say, instead - take back the term - give it higher meaning, etc.
People who are shopping for a VA based on price will ALWAYS land overseas and they will get what they pay for. People who are searching for a VA based on talent, skill and ability will land on your site and those are the clients you are marketing to anyway. I doubt your ideal client profile fits with client X who only wants to spend $5 an hour and doesn't even realize the 'VA' he's working with can't speak or spell correct English.

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I too feel that abandoning the term virtual assistant isn't the way to go. Even though on some days (like the day I wrote that post) I get frustrated and question it. I think it's likely that our industry is going through the same growing pains that doctors and lawyers went through. After all, at one point in history we didn't have individuals that called themselves cardiologists, they were just doctors.
In that same vein, I think we're going to start adding specialties and designations to our title of virtual assistant. Hopefully someday people will see the term and think, "What kind of virtual assistant?" rather than painting us all with the same brush.
I'm one of those VA's that have spent a lot of time and work into getting our name recognized and I'm not ready to abandon ship yet.

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

Hi all,

Great conversation here and a topic that I haddnt thought about (moving away from the wording "Virtual Assistance"). Based on what has been said I will definately keep it in my buisiness slogan and advrtising.

Thanks so much!!

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Stephanie

Great Post Tina - I decided in the early days of my business set up to use the title "Virtual Office Manager" just cause it suited me and my services better. It is really frustrating to how this industry is downplayed.

As a newbie and in my immediate circle of friends and associates, I've been using all of my energies to educate them about the VA industry, so from a personal standpoint it is not practical for me to even contemplate using a different term when there are still so many people who are just beginning to become familiar with it.
Yes, I agree that for many who utilise VA services, it so happens that they've become used to the overseas $5 and $10 offerings which makes things difficult for those of us who charge practically and charge what our services are really worth, and so there are VA's who will become daunted in having to 'fend off' the impression that that is the standard practice of the entire industry.
I for one, will continue to utilize the term Virtual Assistant and continue to inform as many people as I encounter about the realities of this industry of which I am quite proud to be a part.

Cindy

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Cindy Howe|Howe Virtual, LLC
http://www.howevirtual.com

The trouble, in my opinion, is the lack of collaboration by VA organizations (including specialties and niches) to support the industry by educating the public and potential clients (as well as those working IN the industry).

This would require the setting aside of egos and personal objectives (like monetization).

Outsiders are confused by the terms we already use, and even the subtle differences in VA practices... and it should be our job, and the job of the leaders that we look to in the industry, to work at clearing up the confusion.

Unfortunately I don't think that will happen. There is financial gain to be had by creating subgroups, or inventing new titles, and then marketing to those business owners that relate to that specific title. I'm not saying that it's wrong at all - I just don't like to see it touted as being "good for the industry". It's only good for those making money from it - and the clients out there then have a new name and title to muddle through in trying to figure out how to find the right support for their business.

Lawyers, plumber and landscapers have differences within their industries as well, and it does take research and understanding of what you need to find the right expert... but at least they have all agreed to congregate under the same banner of "Lawyer", etc. Is this because of government regulation? I don't know how else an industry can be defined without bias for the individuals who stand to gain from a marketing standpoint.

With all that said - I don't regularly use the term VA myself when marketing my business or speaking with clients and prefer to communicate "what I do" as opposed to "what I am". VA is a term I use to identify the industry of which my business is a part.

This is an important conversation that I think we need to continue having!

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Crystal Coleman, The Northern Edge