I get so frustrated when I see new Virtual Assistants write about our industry with incorrect information. I say they must be new because surely they would know better. I, and many of the VA leaders work hard at educating the public and the media on our industry and when someone publishes something inaccurate it actually undoes our hard work.
Please get it right folks! VAs are NOT employees, we are business owners. If you’ve been engaged by an agency as a ‘virtual assistant’ and are working as an employee, then the reality is you’re either a ‘virtual worker’ or a sub-contractor to an agency. You are NOT a Virtual Assistant. Virtual Assistants are business owners and we work for clients, not employers.
Unfortunately anyone can write an article and get it published on any of the tons of article sites out there but not all articles are factual or correct. So if you’re researching things, please research carefully and check that the information you have is accurate. Otherwise you’ll have articles like this one published giving the general public the incorrect idea or information.
The reference to ‘new age’ was a bit disconcerting too but perhaps it means something different to the author.
Alana Daveduk says
Thanks you for posting that. I actually communicated that at a one on one meeting last month. I even tried to join a VA group but since my focus is not just admin support- I was not accepted….so even navigating through different organizations can confuse others.
Kathie Thomas says
Thanks for your comment Alana. Sorry you weren’t accepted into that group but different groups have different ideas I expect. If you’re not already a member of my VA forum you would be most welcome.
Karalyn Eckerle says
It IS frustrating, Kathie. I think it goes back to educating the client because I talk to clients all the time who try to tell me I’m their employee. I am an independent contractor. I make my own schedule, provide my own equipment and get no perks from them whatsoever.
Of course my other gripe is all the articles telling the world how easy it is to become a VA. Ah, yes, and those of us who have been around a while know the kind of work product many of these no-real-experience wonders are dumping on their clients — clients who then tell the world VAs can’t do the job. And the rest of us are given the joy of cleaning up after these inexperienced wannabes. Sorry — I’ll climb down off my soapbox now.
Kathie Thomas says
I’m with you all the way Karalyn!
NTBoss says
Hello Katie,
I came across your site because I am interested in the mechanics of being a VA.I guess the misconception is really because the translation of the position itself. People who do secretarial and assistance to a business owner in via Internet is in essence a virtual assistant. It is a general term used for both VA business owners and online people who assist business owners in remote areas (it is a mouthful). Maybe a person should coin a term for contractors assistant?
Kathie Thomas says
I think you miss the point NTBoss. (and my name is Kathie, not Katie).
A Virtual Assistant IS a business owner providing secretarial and admin services to their client base. In fact, the first VAs were homebased secretaries. The role has evolved with advancing technology and these days VAs can be almost anyone providing office based computer services, i.e. graphic design, web design, bookkeeping and so on. There is an argument that they could be called a Web Designer, Bookkeeper and that is true if that’s the only service they provide but if it’s part of a collective of services they provide and the support is largely virtual, i.e. virtual support assisting another business owner or others, then in fact they could be classed as a Virtual Assistant. But not an employee.
I think you’re suggesting that VAs are both business owners but could also be virtual employees assisting people. I believe that an employee is an employee, irrespective of how they do their work but they are NOT Virtual Assistants who are, in their own right, business owners too.
NTBoss says
Hi Kathie sorry about the typo ,
When I wrote this:
“It is a general term used for both VA business owners and online people who assist business owners in remote areas (it is a mouthful)”
I was referring to a VA (business owners) and the others who call themselves VA’s as separate entities. By coining another term for “online people who assist business owners in remote areas” there would be a distinction between the two services and they won’t end up being called VA’s anymore. 🙂 Hope I didn’t offend you with my first comment- it was a bit vague, sorry about that.
Kathie Thomas says
Thanks for the clarification. Yes, what you’re referring to are virtual workers. I’ve always referred to them as that but perhaps someone might have an idea for another name. Or virtual employees perhaps.
Deb says
Yes I would go with virtual employee for that one. VA’s are definitely not employees – great article Kathie, it’s so important that it is clear to people exactly how we work. I ensure they know that I don’t work for them, but that we work together.