You’ve researched working as a Virtual Assistant and think you understand how it works. You work a little and get paid a little. But, I’m here to tell you there’s more. There are 5 truths to earning more as a VA that you need to understand now – before you even get started.
When thinking about earning more as a VA, many of us have a mindset that looks like this:
- How many hours can I work each week?
- What if I can put in more than that each week and earn more?
- How much can I charge for those hours?
- If I do “every kind of administrative work for everyone” can I make enough to live on?
I’m here to tell you that your mindset is leading you down the wrong path.
This type of mindset is definitely not going to give you the results you deserve. In fact, it could give you less than you even imagine.
As I said, that’s how many of us start out.
I’m here to help you do better … be better … and understand how to earn more as a VA right from the beginning.
Learn more: 3 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY, TO HELP YOU WORK FROM HOME TOMORROW!
The 5 truths to earning more as a VA that you need to understand now are that you:
- do not want to charge an hourly rate
- shouldn’t do “everything for everyone”
- need to interview clients before you agree to work with them
- have to understand the value you bring to your clients
- should always be looking for how to help more
You do not want to charge an hourly rate.
Because your past experience may have been working for an hourly rate, it’s really all you know. But there are other ways to charge for your services if you’re interested in earning more as a VA.
One way I suggest you work is by offering packages. Packages work on results rather than time.
For example, a client needs a newsletter created and then sent out electronically to all of her customers. She wants you to do this on a weekly basis.
You would determine a package price for these two projects and that would be what it costs her each week to get those two things accomplished.
It does not matter if it takes you 10 hours or 20 hours, she is charged that one package price.
This works best for the client as well as for you.
How?
The client doesn’t have to worry about what to budget each week for payment. It’s the same no matter what. They get their newsletter and email finished every week and they know what it will cost them.
And as for you, the VA, you are not punished for getting more efficient with your tasks as you go along. At first, it may take you 5 hours each week to finish her work. As you get faster and more efficient with the work, it may only take you 3 hours each week.
So, now, you are being paid less per week because you became better at your job. In other words, a newer, slower VA that doesn’t do such a good job could actually earn more money each week than you because you are charging an hourly rate.
In what other working world do you start to make LESS because you did a BETTER job?
It doesn’t work that way.
And, it shouldn’t work that way for you either!
You shouldn’t do everything for everyone.
You would think that because you have done many things as an Administrative Assistant, you can do it all for all of the business owners online.
That’s not true.
We’ve all heard this before but it’s important to say again… “if you are speaking to everyone, you are speaking to no one.”
Being too general in what you do is actually a hindrance when it comes to working as a VA. There are a million VA’s out there that can work for $3 an hour doing “anything” for clients.
Unless you want to try and beat them at that price and charge $2 an hour, let’s talk about how you can earn more.
You can specialize in something.
In other words, find your perfect niche!
What is a ‘niche?’
According to dictionary.com, one definition of Niche is a ‘distinct segment of the market.’
Find the one service you can offer the clients that you love doing.
Perfect that service.
And then, you can offer that service loudly and proudly to all of the entrepreneurs out there that need help in that area.
It’s scary to say you only do one or two things for clients. After all, won’t you lose so many potential customers?
Yes … and no.
Question: If you need heart surgery. Who will you go to? Your family doctor? Or a heart specialist?
Of course, we all know the answer to that.
The same thing applies to work as a VA.
If a client needs someone to work on their website images, do you think they’ll ask someone that does ‘everything’ to do the work or will they ask someone that specializes in website images and design?
No brainer, right?
So, figure out what you are good at (and love doing) and specialize in that!
You’ll absolutely earn more money this way!
You need to interview clients before you agree to work with them
How does that help you earn more?
Let me explain.
First of all, working with all clients will guarantee you end up with those you don’t enjoy working with.
Trust me on that one.
So, if you interview the clients that you might work with first, you’ll end up with the ones that you enjoy and are a pleasure to help.
Do you know what happens when the client is a pleasure to work with?
You end up doing a great job for them.
In return, they end up referring other great people to you which are also a pleasure to work with.
So now, you have several great clients that are thrilled with your service.
Not only are all of these clients being referred to you (which helps you earn more) but the current clients are asking you to do more and more for them because you do such great work.
And, it all began with interviewing the clients before you agreed to work with them!
Learn more: IT ALL SOUNDS GREAT, BUT HOW DO I MAKE MONEY?
You have to understand the value you bring to clients.
In order to earn a higher rate with your clients, you first have to believe you are worth that higher rate.
Understanding your value and what you bring to the table when working with clients is vital.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind: You have years of experience. This experience:
- has made you wiser
- allows you to look ahead in a project and anticipate mistakes before they actually happen
- helps you look at the big picture and break it down into smaller pieces
- shows you how to become part of the team instead of just someone that performs a task
And, I could go on and on.
You know things you don’t even know you know. Does that make sense?
As a Virtual Assistant, you can be a valuable team player for your client and help them grow their business. What entrepreneur wouldn’t want that?
In fact, entrepreneurs will pay very well for that!
You should always be looking for how to help more.
Your client needs you to accomplish this one project.
Through months of completing this project, you notice that there is a piece in the client’s business that is being underserved and you could help them fix it.
Your first step would be to let them know about the issue.
Your second step should be to offer your services to resolve it.
Create a package, or increase, to include this additional project and let them know you’re available to handle it.
They may not choose to go that route, however, you can bet the next time they need additional help, you will be at the top of their mind.
This earns you more money.
So, now you understand the 5 truths to earning more as a VA.
These truths will help you earn more not only in dollars but in clarity, purpose, fulfillment, and ultimately, I believe, in life.
Now go start earning more as a VA!