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You Want to Pay Me How Much to do WHAT?

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Marketing 4 Realtors

You Want to Pay Me How Much to do WHAT?

blow me awayRecently, I was told that it might be a good idea for me to sign up on a certain online forum to bid on projects posted for Virtual Assistants. (Company name held to protect the not-so-innocent.) I thought it was a great idea. What I found blew me away!

After setting up an online profile and taking numerous online tests to declare that I knew what I said I knew, I started browsing through the posted projects on the jobs board.  What I found in the real estate section, posted for a Real Estate Virtual Assistant was something similar to this:

Duties include phone support and data entry. You will need to answer incoming calls, schedule appointments and showings and follow up from showings and appointments. You will need to enter all activities into our contact management system and you will learn to do other data entry tasks including uploading listing details onto websites and offer writing. Must reside within the U.S. Weekend availability a MUST.


That part was actually typical for what a real estate agent would need a Virtual Assistant to handle for them.

Here was the Zinger!   Hourly Rate:  Below $3.00/hr

Um, huh?  I think I read that wrong.  Hang out here while I go check that one more time. <play Jeopardy music in your head here while you wait>

Ok, yep. Below $3.00/hr.

cheapWhat Virtual Assistant living in the United States and in their RIGHT MIND would be able to afford to charge less than $3.00/hr to work for this "busy real estate company?"  And to top it off, they wanted someone to work 30+ hrs/wk.  That's almost full time.  Again, who in their right mind could afford that?  If you live in the United States and work full or almost full-time and don't even make minimum wage, there's a problem, don't you think?

Here's what I'd like real estate professionals to know from the point of view of the REVA:
1. You get what you pay for!  This is not to say that you have to pay $100/hr for a Virtual Assistant. But if you ask someone to work for pennies and give you a high quality level of work, something is going to suffer.
2. If you expect to get paid for the quality work you do, you should expect to pay your REVA the same way. Quality is quality, regardless of where it's coming from.

Here's what I'd like REVAs to know from one REVA to another:
1. Value yourself.  If you don't value yourself, your time, your skills - no one else will, either.
2. Don't get caught in the rat race of "the lowest bidder wins."  You'll end up getting contracts that you have absolutely no desire to complete and then who will suffer?  Well, the client for one because you'll always put their work on the back burner.  And then, so will your reputation.  Which is extremely difficult to get back once lost.

I'm just sayin.

~Renae - Market 4 Real!

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Need help with consistently marketing to your leads and your listings? Don't put it off! Contact us today for assistance and get started on the road to turning your leads into clients and your listings into SOLD properties!

Tni LeBlanc, RealtorĀ®, J.D.
Mint Properties, Lic. #01871795 - Santa Maria, CA
Tenacious Tni (805) 878-9879

It's tough when other people in your industry will work for nothing.  How insulting!

Jan 24, 2011 03:55 PM
Steve Scheer
Realty Oasis - Metro Brokers - Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Denver Real Estate

There are plenty of other industries that have crazy low bidding like this online as well.  I was helping a family member set up a profile at one and I too was blown away. I have since helped them discover other ways to market themselves. 

Jan 24, 2011 04:44 PM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

You're right, Tni!  The sad thing about it is that some people feel so desperate that they would actually work for such low rates and be happy to have a job. Unfortunately, they don't realize just how badly it reflects not only on our entire industry but how poorly they value themselves when they stoop so low.

Exactly, Steve. I say, stick to your guns. Set your prices reasonably, promote your skills and experience, and then brush by anyone outside of the circle of who would be your best audience.  When one method of marketing doesn't work, try, try, try something else!

~Renae

Jan 31, 2011 01:01 PM