| Deciding your virtual assistant rates today can be a bit | | | | consider: |
| challenging. | | | | If you start out with rates that are well below the |
| I know it was a very hard decision for me when I first | | | | standard for your services, it can be difficult to raise |
| started my Virtual Assistant business. If I charge too | | | | them later. No one wants to be told they have to start |
| much will I scare away potential clients? What if I | | | | paying more for anything...including services. On the |
| charge too little and clients assume my quality is not | | | | other hand, if you start a little low, you certainly can |
| the best? Is the competition tough? Should I charge | | | | raise your rates down the road as your skills improve |
| less than other virtual assistants to ensure I get enough | | | | and you build an impressive portfolio. |
| clients? | | | | Another factor to consider when determining your |
| If these questions have been going through your mind, | | | | virtual assistant rates is your target market. What |
| you are in good company. Rest assured most | | | | niche are you going after? What types of clients will |
| self-employed professionals struggle with the question | | | | you work with and how much will they be able and |
| of how much to charge. | | | | willing to pay? For instance, a highly skilled virtual |
| One of the easiest ways to determine the best rates | | | | assistant certified to specialize in assisting real estate |
| is to simplify the process. Getting confused with all of | | | | agents, legal or financial professionals will be able to |
| these questions and worry about every little thing will | | | | charge more than a VA who works with |
| only complicate things and make it more difficult than it | | | | entrepreneurs and new business start-ups that only |
| needs to be. | | | | need help with basic administrative tasks. |
| Start with simply researching the rates of other virtual | | | | While I don't believe your rates should be determined |
| assistants that have similar credentials and are offering | | | | by and virtual assistant certifications you have, you do |
| the same services you would like to offer. There are | | | | need to consider your level of training and experience |
| some good Virtual Assistant Associations and forums | | | | in the services you provide. If you are highly skilled with |
| that can be a great place to start your research. | | | | many years of experience, you will be able to provide |
| Rates do vary depending upon the industry you are | | | | an extremely high level of quality and you can charge |
| targeting, and some will pay more than others. Another | | | | a higher rate than someone just starting out with little |
| factor to consider is your skill set and level of | | | | experience or training. |
| proficiency. As with any profession, the more skilled | | | | One of the greatest challenges when starting your |
| and experienced you are the more you can charge. | | | | own home based business is learning to value yourself. |
| Should you start low and raise your rates later once | | | | Smart business owners know you get what you pay |
| you have a client base? This is a tricky question with | | | | for and are will to pay for quality work. Don't be afraid |
| no correct answer; however, here are some things to | | | | to charge what you are worth. |