What does a typical VA get paid.   Are they paid the hour or a set fee?    

Good Question.

Of course - there is no black & white answer.  LOL.  Depending on the specialities of the VA - their prices can vary.  Most range from 30.00 - 50.00 an hour and offer deep discounts if their clients purchase retainers.  For some tasks (if you have a simple task or two you need assistance with) - special quotes and considerations can be given!  One of the most important things a VA can bring to the table is flexibility.  We are here to assist in building YOUR business - and right down to our rates and fees - we have to be cognisant of that!

This is something that I have never thought of before.  This can be a great way to 'outsource' parts of your job to someone that might be 'burned out' from the industry and who is very knowledgeable and looking for some part-time work.  The trick is in figuring out what tasks to give them and how to pay them. 

Sam Thompson, PHH Mortgage Advisor 

Sam, I take US Dollars ;) It is a great way to break off segments of your work that someone else could do. Virtual Assistant is french for Outsource.  Most VAs don't charge a client for that first brainstorming session to see which tasks are going to be handed off.  Because, while we diligently guard clients' confidentiality, we all TALK about other things such as varied skills, if you need it done, either the VA you call can do it or she knows someone who can.   Many of us are developing teams to cover more specific skills and task needs.

You are SO right about someone with knowledge of the field who wants to move into a different approach.  Maybe parttime, maybe parttime to YOU and parttime to someone else until there is full time.  Some of us want temp/parttime work, others are absolute nut cases about working as much as we can.

When an onsite employee is hired, there are the cost factors that Crystal wrote about in another post.  Plus, it is difficult to find someone dedicated and competitent who is willing to drive to your office for a few hours a week.  By the time you find so many tasks the VA is working for you like a full time person, you are so attached to the concept that you won't mind. 

Maybe some weeks you need someone MANY hours, but not so many the next week.  A VA can give you some of that flexibility.

I may have hourly rates, but I track my time in minutes.  If I work for a client 1 hour during a day or 1/2 hour, that is all that client is billed for. 

Further to JudyAnn's thorough response .... I believe most VA's also have checklists of certain tasks that they are excellent at - and you can pick and chose which you would be willing to delegate.  It all comes down to control and how much of it you are willing to give up.  As JudyAnn mentioned ... a VA should walk you through the delegation process and also offer one hour free "training & brainstorming" session with them. 

I have some clients that give up as little control as possible and only delegate the tasks that do not affect their day to day business operations (drip email campaign follow-up, etc) while I have others that really just want to be out in the field as often as possible and want to touch their computer as little as possible (but they still understand the importance of getting all those administrative tasks done). 

The best way I can explain my services (and I offer services to both Real Estate Agents AND Mortgage Brokers) is how Crystal put it in her post:  "  Real Estate Virtual Assistants are to Real Estate Agents (and Mortage Brokers) as Real Estate Agents are to FSBO's!".  I thought that was great - as it really sums it up...

Good job Deidre!