| I've seen Virtual Assistants' rates range from $15 | | | | top of my head. Once you have calculated your |
| to $70/hr., depending on the VA's experience, | | | | expenses, you will have a general idea of what |
| specialty, location, and the project. One of the | | | | you need to cover them. Of course you don't |
| most common concerns with a new Virtual | | | | want to just cover your expenses, but make a |
| Assistant faces is what to charge for his/her | | | | profit as well. |
| services. A common mistake made by new | | | | Price your services according to your target |
| Virtual Assistants is underestimating the value of | | | | market |
| their services. The more specialized your service | | | | Your target market is another factor to consider |
| is, the more you may be able to charge for | | | | before setting your virtual assistance price list. If |
| those services. | | | | you target business executives, then naturally you |
| Here are some guidelines for setting your rates: | | | | could charge them more than you could college |
| Peek in on your competitors | | | | students. Why? Well...college students may be on |
| Visit other Virtual Assistants' websites to see | | | | tight budgets, work part-time, and/or may still be |
| what they are charging for similar or the same | | | | depending on their parents for financial assistance. |
| services. Look for areas you can improve and | | | | Business executives are pretty much established |
| perhaps provide a service that they don't. Find | | | | and tend to have bigger budgets. Do you catch |
| your USP (Unique Selling Proposition or Point). In | | | | my drift? |
| other words, what sets your business apart from | | | | Price your services according to supply and |
| others'. | | | | demand |
| Calculate your expenses | | | | If you provide specialized services and the |
| Your price should at least cover your expenses. | | | | demand is high but the supply of VAs offering the |
| Expenses can include but are not limited to: | | | | same services is low, you can charge more for |
| - Your Time (Yes, I said your time) | | | | those services. However, if the supply is high, you |
| - Office supplies, Equipment, and Software | | | | may want to consider being more competitive |
| - Marketing (Online and Offline) Rent/Mortgage | | | | with your prices. If you want to lower your prices |
| - Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Telephone, Water, etc) | | | | and still make a profit, you will also want to cut |
| - Taxes | | | | your expenses. |
| - Insurance (Business, Health, etc.) | | | | After considering all of the above, it should give |
| - Web Hosting and Web Maintenance | | | | you a general idea of how to set your virtual |
| - Travel and Transportation | | | | assistance price list. This is just a basic and |
| - Continuing Education | | | | general guideline so nothing is set in stone. |
| These are just a few that I can think of off the | | | | |