A common question I get asked goes something like this... why would I hire you for such money when I can hire someone else to do it cheaper?

I usually mention experience, quality and things along these lines. What are some of your responses to this to lock down your potential clients?

Well, first of all, if they ask me that question then it's highly likely that they aren't the client for me. I've found that potential clients who are mostly concerned with your rate and who comment about getting cheaper help are the ones who are not interested in building a quality relationship based on your value to them or to their business.

My answer to them would be, "I am the convenient option to an employee, not the cheap option." I offer them the convenience of not having to hire an employee and I offer the flexibility of increasing or decreasing their hours with me (down to my minimum) as they need to. The rate I charge is reflective of the value I bring to them. Of course, they can find someone cheaper and I am happy to let them know I can provide them with places where they can look for other options that better fit within their budget.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Great answer Kimberly and I agree wholeheartedly. If their only concern is price then they are not the client for me.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Lets not forget that with any new business, service, or technology the client or user needs to be educated on the process and advantages. Sometimes change and the unknown can be hard for people to get a grip on. When you have been doing business a certain way for years whether you are seeing the right results or not it's difficult for some to make the switch and get up to speed so to speak. I think educating the client and public in general is one key to success. My 2¢

onthejob-
Good point. I agree with you that you first take the step of educating the potential client about virtual assistance and why it's a workable solution for many small business owners. My answer above would then apply if they continue to go down the path of cost and cheaper options.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Hi ... Generally this is becoming a common question ... lot of people are ready to get job done for petty charges ... There was a client who wanted to to join him ... track to every second ... with a software and pay as little as $.04/hour for 4 hours ... and if I make it $.004 he would give me 8 hours and if I am OK with $.002 he would give me work for 16 hours a day ... I said with that money I can't even pay my internet bill ... what will I actually gain .. He asked me .. do you think I can pay your bills and also pay you for the time you work .. I asked him .. if I use my resources I need to get compensated for my expense and then m work .. he got angry .. I politely refused his work .. But that's how few people agree .

However there are clients who pay well as they are more into Quality of work too .. Choose such clients .. in the longer run that will only work !

Best Regards

Good responses lady... I'm taking notes, I'm taking notes!!!... lol

Thank you everyone. This has been very helpful. I mean seriously $.04 for 4 hours?!??!?! This has been very helpful and I not allow myself to be sold short!

Originally Posted by firingarrows

Hi ... Generally this is becoming a common question ... lot of people are ready to get job done for petty charges ... There was a client who wanted to to join him ... track to every second ... with a software and pay as little as $.04/hour for 4 hours ... and if I make it $.004 he would give me 8 hours and if I am OK with $.002 he would give me work for 16 hours a day ... I said with that money I can't even pay my internet bill ... what will I actually gain .. He asked me .. do you think I can pay your bills and also pay you for the time you work .. I asked him .. if I use my resources I need to get compensated for my expense and then m work .. he got angry .. I politely refused his work .. But that's how few people agree . However there are clients who pay well as they are more into Quality of work too .. Choose such clients .. in the longer run that will only work ! Best Regards

I'm thinking of a word to describe this man. I think 'strange' would cover it.

There are plenty of people who don't understand our rates, understand what a VA is, etc and we have to be patient when explaining how VAs can help them in so many valuable ways!

But I have to admit that this man is a bit unusual, actually the oddest I have ever heard about! If someone talked to me this way, I wouldn't bother to return his calls, much less think about working with him.

It is hard to even discuss rates with someone that is trying to bring down the VA industry to a 'lower than low' level with offering those ridiculous rates! It sounded like he wanted to let you know just how little value VAs have. Maybe this is not what he intended but it sounds like that to me.

My philosophy 'let the bad out the door' and you leave room for the good to walk in'. My 2c only.

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

I think clients need to be educated somewhat and see VA's as an asset to their business and not an expense. A decent VA will add value and earn their fee by providing a valuable service. It's the low cost VA's that dont add value to clients and give the industry a bad name. If a clients had a bad experience then they will undervalue a VA. It just makes it difficult for good VA's to justify their worth.