Sharon Williams - OIVAC - Questions for Virtual Assistant

May 11, 2007 · Filed Under This & That 

1. When a VA does consulting, does he/she charge a separate rate for the hours spent consulting compared to the hours they spend doing the work? or do some VA’s give that information away for free to all their clients as a part of their service?

Wikipedia.org defines consulting as “providing expert advice in a particular domain or area of expertise,” therefore consulting should be considered chargeable time working with or on behalf of a client. Although, I am sure there are instances when the VA does not charge for every consultation. However, in most cases, consulting should be a chargeable activity. In many cases, it is billed as the same rate as established in the written agreement. However, if the consultations are not in any way related to the contractual relationship, I would advise that the client be charged your normal consulting fee.

2. I always wondered how VA’s figure a block of time. How are you guaranteed that the work will be completed in their figured time slot?

Actually, you are not guaranteed that work will be completed in a set amount of time, as consideration should be given for the possibility of setbacks, the original assignment may require more work than originally plan or even expanded to include additional responsibilities. This is a perfect example for demonstrating the need for “communication” between the VA and client. If the VA finds (for whatever reason) the assignment may be more involved or require more time than originally anticipated, she should inform the client and ascertain if she should continue, or change course, etc. Time spent working on projects can easily be tracked by utilizing TimeTrax or another time monitoring program.

Under another scenario, if the client signs a 20 hour a month agreement and the time required to complete assigned tasks consistently exceeds 20 hours, the parties should discuss the possibility of increasing the number of service hours allocated in the contract. Other options to consider include decreasing the number and frequency of task performance, or reevaluating the work flow and determine if there are easier, less time consuming methods available to accomplish goals.


3. What is the average rate per hour? How do you determine what is a decent rate?

A Virtual Assistant determines her own rates. In making that determination, she factors in her knowledge, experience, training, niche and skills, as well as overhead, technologies, and other tangible and nontangible influences that impact her lifestyle, financial obligations and goals. As a result, the rate is subjective and contingent upon how the VA values and feels her target market will value her services, as well as her perception of what the global marketplace will bear.

4. Do all VA’s do web and graphic design?

No! While virtual assistants use the Internet as a tool and resource to service clients, many have little or no desire and/or are not qualified to provide web and graphic design work. My response, however, is solely based on addressing if the VA is interested in providing web site and graphic design services. It does not apply to Internet research, marketing, implementation and application of various internet-based software, etc., all of which may be part of the VAs toolkit of service offerings.


5. How will a VA make me money? Are they responsible for creating my income?

In the strictest sense of the concept, VAs do not generate your income. VAs, however, indirectly assist in generating income because we provide support services that enable the client to sell products/services to a targeted audience. For instance, if the client schedules a teleconference, she will need back office support in preparing for the event. Examples of this support include: drafting materials/articles and distributing them via autoresponder and internet-based article banks. The VA may also perform research to determine the appropriate venues to conduct prelaunch internet-based and offline interviews promoting the event. She may also mange the client’s database, transcribe the recording, and handle fulfillment duties after the event. Now did the VA actually make money for her client – in a nontangible sense, yes. But most important, she assumed responsibilities the client would have performed, and as a result of her involvement the client acquired time to prepare teleconference materials, is available for interviews, may develop workbooks, giveaways and items for sale, etc.

Well, it’s time to run to visit Karen McGreevey of Konceptuality. Yesterday, I had a long chat with Yamisi Daniel of InTouch Virtual Assistance. It was a pleasure speaking with her because she is a brand new VA and I always enjoy responding to questions from newbies. Today’s scrambled puzzle phrase clue is: isetaomnslti. See you at tomorrow’s stop and at the OIVAC.

About Sharon Williams
Sharon is the Chairperson of the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and OIVAC, and president of The 24 Hour Secretary an administrative, secretarial and internet-based marketing support services company. She is the 2006 recipient of the Thomas Leonard International Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award and co-founder of Virtual Business University an e-learning environment for entrepreneurs ready to step towards their greatness.

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