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YOU HAVE TO BE CRAZY TO HIRE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT!!!

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Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Home Team

Create a Successful Team

Hey, I didn't say it!   I blogged a few days ago about a panel I was on this week called "How to Create a Winning Team".   The morning session was conducted by Steve Friedman, who spoke about creating success by building a team.  Steve has researched over 450 teams (from 150 national and independent companies). He has written a book on the subject.

In the afternoon, he served as Oprah Winfrey and interviewed the 5 members of the panel and took questions from the audience.  One of the members of the audience directed a question at me. She asked, who on my team takes care of the technology (blogs, websites, lead generation).  I mentioned that since that is the stuff I really love to do, I do most of it myself.  I did suggest that if those are the things you are not good at, you could consider a Virtual Assistant.  The next question was directed to the whole panel.  How much do you pay to your assistants?   We all answered and then Steve said that the average in the industry was between $15-20 an hour.  And then he said IT....."You have to be crazy to hire a virtual assistant.  I was a little stunned by that comment.  I didn't have an opportunity to respond since it was the Steve Friedman aka Oprah Winfrey show.  Since he interviewed 450 teams prior this session I'd have to ask...  Is the industry trending away from utilizing virtual assistants?   It certainly doesn't appear that way but I sure am curious about his response.

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Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Did he say why???  If not, the statement is meaningless.  I make a lot more than $20 an hour that my assistant charges.  I make a lot more than the $50 an our that my web master charges.

It is cost effective to pay others to do things when they charge a lot less than you make selling real estate, IMO.

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com

Oct 19, 2006 10:15 AM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media

Linda~ What was his explanation for that...I am curious? What data is he basing that statement on?

I could get very long winded in about sales pitch for using a VA, the advantages are there, and its up to the Real Estate Professional to decide what works BEST for them.  Some do better with in-house assistants, there are a multitude of variations to apply to ones business to take advantage of virtual technology. The segue for me has been on-site, to off-site and by referral.

I will say this about the "trend": In the past couple of years ( I've been in it for about 4) the number of Stay-at Home moms, out of school college kids, who are jumping to Virtual Assistance as a means of staying home is exploding! And with the unregulated aspects of being a "VA" and the novelty in it, the number of underqualified people getting a free yahoo website, slapping some plagiarized web content, and calling themselves a VA  is frankly giving some a bad rep. I have had more agents complain of bad experiences with a VA, than have commented on great experiences. (Kristal....???)As always doing due dilgence in finding a VA are the routes to take. That trend can discourage almost anyone from using a VA, because all it takes is one bad experience.

There are amazing leaders in the VA Industry who I hope respond as well...you know who you are..(Kim, Carolyn) who can attest to this industry's history of success, and the innovations that are in step with securing more certified, qualified, trained VA's.

HHHMMMM..I'm going to have blog some more!

 

Oct 19, 2006 10:28 AM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to respond since he was running the show not me.  Since he brought it up during the discussion under pay, I can only assume he was referring tothe expense but I really don't know.  I have used a VA in the past and found it to be very cost efficient
Oct 19, 2006 10:32 AM
Megan Barber
Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions, LLC - Vineland, NJ

That is a common misconception that many have when they see the hourly rate of a VA versus an on-site assistant. But many don't take into consideration that actual cost an on-site assitant is greater than their hourly rate.

I can go into great length about the differences between, but VA's are very cost effective and these are a few reasons:

  • You will not have to provide a workstation, additional office equipment, or support.

  • Unlike on-site employees, Virtual Assistians are truly independent contractors, so there is no need to deal with Social Security taxes, health or life insurance. No need to pay Workers Compensation, unemployment or retirement benefits.

  •  A VA can work for you on an as needed basis.

  • You only pay for time on task and materials used on your particular projects. You don't need to pay for breaks, down time, slow periods, sick time, vacation, holidays, or overtime.

  • You will not have to take time to hire, train and manage permanent or temporary on-site employees.

  • VA's already have the experience so no computer training is necessary.

  • VA's are less expensive than a temp agency

    •  

    Some people need to see the actual numbers to get an idea. Someone created a cost comparison calculator that helps show the numbers

    http://www.briskworking.com/Cost%20Calculator.htm

     

    I don't mean to go into a whole sales pitch, but those are just a few things one should think over when deciding to hire a Virtual Assistant.  I'm sure other well respected VA's on here will chime in.

     

    That should be enough from me.  :)

     

    Oct 19, 2006 10:38 AM
    Teri Isner
    Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL
    GRI, CRS, CIPS
    Linda our team works almost totally off the net we communicate via the net and are in 3 states and 3 countries now.  It is hard not to go virtual.  These team members may not be virtual assistants in the true sense of the word but our closing VA is just that...
    Oct 19, 2006 10:44 AM
    Linda Davis
    RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT

    Laura, Lenn,  Megan and Teri,

    Thanks for the great responses. I think I'm going to put something together with all the responses and email it to him!

    Oct 19, 2006 11:06 AM
    Crystal Pina
    774.289.5521 - Worcester, MA
    Remax Professional Associates

    Coming from a different point of view: 

    I think it's the same with any marketing idea, Linda. You (in general, not YOU) have to balance your budget and decide if the Return on Investment is there. You have to decide whether it's worth your time to do it all yourself. If you can outsource something you don't like to do, or don't do well, you may end up giving your clients better service in the end.

    Everyone needs to outsource something. We can't do it all. Well, we can, but I for one don't want to. I am not putting on my roof. I hired a professional to do it. Sure I could get on a ladder and paint my house, but a professional can do it quicker, maybe not better, but it's definately something I do not want to do myself. One of my goals when I'm making enough money is to hire someone to clean my house. I feel my time can better be used on my business if I don't have to think about washing the floors. Again, it's not that I can't clean my own house. I just think I'd get a better ROI if someone else did it and I used that time saved to work on my business or on client work.

    Anyway, that's what I'd tell him. 

    Oct 19, 2006 03:04 PM
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