I answer a lot of questions at Quora - are you familiar with this site? Today I was asked if $5 an hour too cheap for a VA. My answer was this: Depends on a number of things: Where you live and your cost of living The currency you’re working with The type of services you’re providing Your background experience and skill-set How many hours a week you want to work How much you want to earn on a weekly/monthly/annual basis Have you actually done a budget forecast … [Read more...]
Who sets the rate?
Many 'trades' set their own rates, although some might be guided by industry requirements and expectations. Solicitors, bookkeepers, accountants, business coaches, plumbers, painters, mechanics, and so the list goes on. So, why then, do many of the public feel they can tell Virtual Assistants how much they should be charging? I've heard many VAs talk about this - they get contacted by a potential client who wants a lot of stuff done, often things that require someone with a great deal of … [Read more...]
How much should I charge?
Regularly on the VA forums, and sometimes via direct email, I see this question from new VAs. They have worked out what services they are going to provide, have begun seeking ways to network and find new clients but then when they get asked 'how much?' they get stuck. That's ok, we've all been there in some form or another. What did I do when I was treading this same path 15 years ago? I looked at what I was earning the previous year in a corporate job. I knew that if I was going to make … [Read more...]
