Tess is absolutely correct in stating people are looking for the $5.00 VA -- even in the US and other countries; and get quite upset when we quote our rates in the $50-$75 per hour range. What these lookers don't understand, often, is that they are not only purchasing time, but experience, knowledge, resources and often a support network of other experienced VAs, too.

It's an "education" thing -- and when many entrepreneurs promote offshoring at substandard rates (rates they wouldn't accept themselves nor be able to survive off of), ill-informed entrepreneurs jump on the "I want quality service at cheap prices" bandwagon, which can make it difficult for even mid-range priced VAs to survive.

This is an industry-wide challenge, and one we are beginning to address and need to continue to address before this misconception becomes even more widespread.

It is definitely one of the topics we will be covering at the upcoming Online International Virtual Assistants Convention.