"I started my practice officially in 2009. I was involved in a lot of volunteer activities with PTA and on the Board of a non-profit so my focus wasn't 100%; however, even when I did focus, I struggled to attain clients. When I spoke about "Virtual Assistance" I often received that "deer in the headlights" glossed over look. I was often asked to take on tedious projects that were not exactly what I was looking for, nor was it work I would enjoy.

At the end of 2010, I read an article by Danielle Keister that turned everthing around for me and my business. The term "Virtual Assistant" had been bugging me and she hit the nail on the head! I didn't want to be someone's "assistant." I'm the owner of my own business, a solopreneur, and a leader. I got to this place and time in my life because of my passion, desire, and pro-active approach to help other solopreneurs find the balance they need to simplify their work. I quickly realized I needed to lose the Virtual Assistant title. It was a process, but now all my materials and my mindset is based on Administrative Consulting. I tell people I work virtually or locally. After all "virtual" is how I work and shouldn't define what I do.

Since embracing the term, I have to tell you, my business has blossomed. Danielle and I have chatted over the course of the past six months several times, and I just love her entire philosophy surrounding Administrative Consulting. I feel more confident and at ease because I'm not trying to explain something that barely makes sense to me; how could I expect it to make sense to others? I now have three long-term clients, and I'm working on bringing on a fourth.

If you're still using the term Virtual Assistant; ask yourself exactly what that describes? Does it explain what you do? Who you work with? Can you easily explain it without people looking confused or glazed over? Anyone can be "virtual." In fact, most soloprenurs these days are virtual. Giving yourself a specific title really narrows down what you do, how you do it, and also helps to identify a target market.

Thank you, Danielle for opening the doors and our eyes to all the possibilities for the future of our industry!"

donnamarie needle, time saving concepts

"I have to share a short story about how using the word 'assistant' really sends the wrong message. I was at a focus group with a consultant, managing the room, PowerPoint, and jotting down ideas and comments from participants. When my client introduced me (I wasn't expecting her to, I'm always fully prepared to introduce myself), she introduced me as a "contract administrative assistant." Well, I got the calls the next week about folks wanting me to "temp" – sit in their office and answer phones, file, and generally be a gopher while other staff were out.

Needless to say, she and I will be having a meeting in the very near future and I'll be re-educating her. I realize my focus really has been on short projects, "as-needed" help (and my website needs a major overhaul – I think it's sending the wrong message) so I have some work to do this summer.

On a positive note, another client noticed that I changed my title from virtual assistant to Administrative Consultant on a report we were drafting, and she asked when that happened and had she missed the party? We had a really good conversation about the transition, and she fully agreed. In fact, she was excited that she was going to be able to promote me as an Administrative Consultant."

jeanette gardiner, gardiner business support services

"I love the new ACA website and color and the ACA logo fits much better than VACOC for the virtual assistant. I was REALLY struggling with people not understanding what I do until I took your advice and started using Administrative Consultant. People seem to understand that more."

suzanne joyce (website in progress)

"I am totally loving the term Administrative Consultant! It's been so difficult to get people to understand what I do. I mean, the term "virtual assistance" as it's known today has been around for a while, but people still don't get it. I've had the toughest time getting people to understand my payment structure because they only saw me as an executive assistant, basically. And then it doesn't help that overseas companies offer services under the same name for pennies on the dollar, and they don't have anywhere near the skills or expertise.

I've worked hard at providing excellent administrative support for over 17 years, and I'm good at what I do because I have honed and perfected my skills and expertise. I have a hard time dealing with people who don't see the value of my services and experience because of how the "virtual assistant" term has been misused, abused, and diluted. I'm happy to move on to using a term that is more in line with what I actually do and what I bring to my clients.

As soon as I started using terms that are more aligned with administrative consulting, people started to really take me seriously. When I stopped calling myself an "assistant" and really emphasized partnership and collaboration, my conversations with potential clients have been much more successful, and they fully understand that I am a competent professional who has the skills to efficiently provide support with minimal training and supervision. In fact, calling myself an Administrative Consultant has created an incredible mind shift for me. I no longer have to struggle with what I'm going to call myself in order to get people to understand what I do. I can confidently say that I am an Administrative Consultant, and my specialty is administrative support services, and people GET IT.

I have seen tremendous benefits in the short time that I've chosen to adapt a more appropriate term for my distinguished and specialized profession. Thanks and applause to Danielle for being brave enough to lead the way for those of us who want more fulfilling, meaningful and PROSPEROUS relationships with our clients!"

farah belliard

"I switched over from “virtual assistant” to using the term “Administrative Consultant” soon after Danielle began espousing it, and was amazed at the immediate difference it made to attitudes. I could see that people were perceiving me as a peer and an expert there seemed to be a greater respect and also a better understanding of my business. Unexpectedly, using the term “Administrative Consultant” also made a difference to my own mindset, subtly changing my demeanour. I felt comfortable charging higher and more appropriate fees and nobody batted an eyelid!"

lisa humphries

"I've learned that perception and image is everything in marketing. As a new business owner and administrative consultant, I've heard this advice from many sources. I for one am glad to use the term "Administrative Consultant" and it sure has been timely for me.

I had just launched new my website (Aug. 2011), and on the same day had gone to the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer with business cards in hand. I met a lot of people, and I wanted them to perceive of me as a professional. How I dressed, how I spoke, how I explained myself was totally important. When I handed people my business card with "Administrative Consultant," I was asked each time what that meant and I was ready to answer. The title "Admininistrative Consultant" was a plus. I felt it put me on a peer level with the others in the room, and it gave me a chance to talk about my services in the way I want them to be known.

I believe that had I used the term "virtual assistant," I would have had a tough time presenting myself clearly. The discussion (Danielle's blogs, etc.) around the terms "Administrative Consultant" vs. "VA" have been very instructive and helpful. My website reflects the new term and the consistent message that we are collaborative partners. I enjoy being an administrative support expert and have always wanted to find a way to promote and boost the image of our field. I expect good things will follow the shift to "Administrative Consultant" from "VA," so onward and upward, ACA!"

judy reyes, reliance admin