Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

I had never considered calling myself a VA.

I’ve been pretty much a non-group kind of guy.
And copywriters, at least those I’ve known, are
generally not really joiners either. Herding cats
is used to describe attempts at forming groups.

When I became aware of the VA industry/paradigm
it looked to me like it was a natural fit. I do some web
work, some layout/design, can handle some database
and spreadsheet, but I wanted to lead with the written word.

Just another biz person that worked virtually. BUT ….

Thanks to a very kind couple of VA’s I’ve met and many of
the folks commenting on your piece, I have a much better
definition now. Ongoing versus project is how I tell it to myself.

And, this new information helps define future marketing moves. Thank you.

I am glad I found you, your writing and your followers.

David L. White

That’s not a bad idea, one a few others have suggested as well.

I’m thinking at this point, just about anything would be better than “assistant.” Too many people have been miseducated as to what it means and it’s almost impossible anymore to get them re-educated once they come in with their grossly inaccurate preconceived ideas and expectations.

I’m so glad you are a guy… I feel like I can ask you this honest question without getting a bunch of ridiculous female drama about it: Since you are a writer, why did you consider calling yourself a Virtual Assistant instead of a writer?

This is the thing that most perplexes me about those who aren’t VAs… why do they want to call themselves something that they aren’t when there are already clear and established terms for what they do? (e.g., if you are a writer or copywriter and deal with all things related to writing/editing/proofing, why not call yourself a writer/copywriter?)

I’m really interested in knowing what goes on in that thought-process. I’m looking forward to your response.

A VA sent me to this post to get smartened up and I appreciate the solid conversation.

I wanted to toss an idea out here that occurred as a result of the comments.

Keep VA but change the A to Administrator or Administrative as the occasion warrants.

Just another idea.

~ David

You can read the original conversation here: http://www.grittyva.com/2008/07/02/aligning-the-misaligned/

P.S. I have tried to find a way to work in the word “Collaborative” and I like the term mentioned here, “Administrative Specialist.”

I loved your response and will proudly stand with you, Danielle, and everyone else who wants to proudly own and promote the Virtual Assistant title.

As someone who has turned down a number of requests for my services from individuals who wish (or can only afford) to pay less than my very reasonable rates, your point is well taken.

Don’t get me wrong. I am very respectful of budgetary constraints, but to your point, the needs of those individuals are better served by someone other than me.

I choose to align myself with relationship-minded clients looking for a long term partnership.

Thanks for not letting us wiggle off the hook quite so easily!

Rosalind Harris CPS

So, I’m wondering, are passionate Virtual Assistants like you willing to fight for our term? Are we willing to set the record straight in our marketplace and to those who are calling themselves Virtual Assistants who are not really Virtual Assistants? Are we willing to take a stand and not hide in the corners, never saying anything?

Because inaction and choosing not to declare our stance loud and clear no matter who it alienates is what has allowed the coopters to take over our term. THEY are the ones educating our industry now, whether we like it or not, because Virtual Assistants have cowered in the corners, fearfully choosing to never say anything, to never speak up and courageously stand behind their beliefs.

We’ve got entire “industry” organizations who are running our PR now that are NOT EVEN VAs and that are training the world to view VAs as secretarial services or virtual staffing agencies or that even anyone doing anything is a Virtual Assistant. THIS is who is educating our marketplace. And many passionate VAs like yourself BELONG to these organizations. By simple virtue of their membership, those VAs themselves are contributing to the miseducation and perpetuating it. Their membership gives credence and legitimizes the miseducation those organizations put out.

Because I think anyone who doesn’t speak what they truly believe, who hides behind word games and tries to play both sides of the fence or otherwise talk out of both sides of their mouth, or chooses to say nothing (and thereby allows others to think they believe something they don’t) is not walking in true integrity and authenticity.