“What’s the definition of a virtual assistant?” is a question often asked by new VAs. Ask 5 veteran VAs and you’ll get 5 different answers.
Andrea Cannavina of Lawfirmsolutions.com comes up with this definition: Virtual Assistant (VA) - one that assists in essence and effect though not in physical form
According to The 2-Second Commute, The Encarta definition is: long-distance assistant is: somebody who uses computer and phone connections to work from a distance as a personal assistant to somebody else, instead of working in the same office or building.
IVAA has its own definition: “A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis.”
If you go to other websites of VAs, you’ll find other definitions. Some people strongly believe only those who provide administrative assistant-type assistance should be called VAs. Other people feel that a specialist like a writer, bookkeeper, graphic designer, etc., are all VAs because they provide assistance virtually. I believe the latter. Otherwise, I couldn’t call myself a virtual assistant. I actually call myself an editorial virtual assistant. I provide virtual editorial services to my clients…ghostwriting, editing, research, transcription, etc. Some of these I provide to authors, and some to entrepreneurs that need some help with writing their books or promotional material.
Am I still a VA? Yup.