There are countless definitions of what a virtual assistant is. If you look at Wikipedia, the IVAA or the VANetworking.com sites, you will see 3 slightly different variations on a theme.
When asked this question, I have tried a few different versions myself, to see what a) is easy to say and b) is easily understood. I have narrowed it down to a super simple definition:
A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative and/or technical support from a remote location.
It’s simple, short, sweet and to the point. The cool thing is that it usually leads to more questions and gives me the opportunity to talk about The Blue Jeans VA and what it is we do. It’s certainly not any magnificent “30-second” elevator speech but… I’m working on it 
For many there is a very narrow definition of who and what a virtual assistant is and does. It can get tricky and I wonder, where is that line that says, up to this point you are a virtual assistant but once you cross that line you are now a consultant or a freelancer.
I tend to lean towards the other end of the spectrum, towards a broader, more generous definition.
With the incredible advances in technology, changes in how and where business is conducted (for both small and big business) the VA industry has grown as well, it has had to.
I think the line between virtual assistant and freelancer/consultant is narrowing and is becoming a bit on the blurry side. Many in our field start a VA business in the “true” sense of the word, meaning starting with the basics and offering administrative support. Then we grow, expand and find an affinity with a certain topic, skill or type of work that grabs our imagination and draws us in.
As we grow, do we stop being VA’s or are we just stretching and expanding the definition, perception and idea of what a VA is or can be? What is your definition?
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