What do you do?
Anything you can hire an in-house assistant to do!
How do we work together "virtually"?
Much of what an in-house assistant does for you is online. Uploading listing photos and descriptions, designing virtual tours, posting listings to online sites, and maintaining your website are just a few examples.
There are also simple, inexpensive ways to share database information online. This allows a virtual assistant access to your sphere of influence. Any designing, printing, or direct mailing that could be done from your real estate office can also be done remotely by a VA!
What do you charge?
I have read many posts and comments on this subject with great interest. Virtual assistants will tell you, truthfully, that they charge more than you would pay someone for data entry alone. Virtual assistants collaborate with you; we see ourselves as partners in your business, because the growth and success of our own businesses depends on your success. We pride ourselves on keeping abreast of the latest trends in real estate and Internet advertising and we will advise you of anything we feel would benefit you and your business.
But - what do you charge?
The important thing to remember about hiring a VA is that you pay us only when you need us. You do not have to guarantee a minimum number of hours of work per week or month (unless you want to, and you may get a discounted rate for this). You do not have to deal with any payroll/tax hassles. You do not have to worry about providing us with a desk, computer, or any other equipment in your office. You do not have to worry about our calling in sick or taking a vacation. You do not have to pay us for holidays or at times when your own business may be in a slump (unless you want to invest a little to revitalize your business!)
Okay, but what do you charge?
VAs often charge an hourly fee for standard work, with a higher hourly fee for very technical or otherwise specialized work. Many VAs have special package pricing available. Many VAs offer a discounted hourly rate if you contract for a minimum number of hours each month. How much is that minimum? That depends on which VA you are working with.
All right, all right...WHAT IS THE HOURLY RATE?
Many virtual assistants will caution you, rightly so, against hiring someone who charges much less than what you see is the average. It could indicate that they are not experienced. That being said:
I have seen hourly rates on VA websites that range from $20 an hour to $50 an hour.
How can I quickly ascertain pricing from a VA - I'm not sure if I even want to hire one, and the first thing I want to know is what I should expect to pay...
Most VAs on Active Rain have their own websites you can easily link to. Oftentimes pricing will be indicated on the site. You can get a general idea of services offered and pricing by the website or by emailing or calling the VA directly. We're not trying to pressure you; it is just not as simple to answer a pricing question about our services as it is to get a price quote on photocopying 100 newsletters, front and back, full color, at Kinko's.
Think about a conversation with us along the same lines as the conversations you may often have with your own potential clients, detailing the services you provide that warrant your commission of 6% (or whatever rate you may choose to negotiate.)
Okay, I'll call...but WHO do I call?
Take a moment to think about what you want and check out the VAs on Active Rain. Is there a particular type of work you want done, or are you looking for someone to suggest specific ways of increasing your business? Do you have a set budget in mind or a set amount of work that you need done each month? Does it matter to you, for any reason, if the VA is located within your home state or local area?
Nothing will help you make a better decision than speaking directly to the Virtual Assistant (or assistants) you are interested in hiring. However, I highly recommend checking out several VA websites, reading their blogs, and contacting their references. Ask the Realtors they've worked for how their businesses have been impacted by their choice to work with that particular VA.
One mor thung - read psots an blogs, mmake sur that the Va you use prroofreads an spellcheks to yur satisfaction!
Happy Hunting!
Comments(1)