I'm at a crossroads and would love to hear your opinion.

The issue at hand is whether or not I should post my hourly and per project flat rates. I have heard pros and cons for each, but would appreciate your thoughts on the issue.

Right now, I am leaning towards keeping rates off the website. VMS settles for nothing but perfection to our clients and we focus on the value of our services as opposed to the 'cheapest' rates available.

This sparked another question--if you were interested in our company, would you consider it an inconvenience to fill out a short form to request a proposal instead of having to search for specific rates?

Thank you, in advance, for your feedback. I do appreciate it!

Cheers,
Becky Ferris

I post me rates as "rates start at $XX", I don't think it hurt me at all and I know it has helped with prospects.

Please stay away from using "cheapest", some will only focus on that and not on the value of your service.

Not one of my clients has filled out my RFP form, everyone was by email or telephone.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I post me rates as "rates start at $XX", I don't think it hurt me at all and I know it has helped with prospects.

Please stay away from using "cheapest", some will only focus on that and not on the value of your service.

Not one of my clients has filled out my RFP form, every one was by email or telephone.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Some organizations that you may join frown upon you posting your rates. I originally did not post rates, but have found that it helps to give an idea of what the charges are. Less time is spent on "negotiating" my rate. As a marketing tactic, I give "discounts". Repeat project clients will receive a discount from my published rates. Long-term commitments from a client will get a reduced rate. I give non-profit organizations a discounted rate that is not posted on my web site. When they are reviewing the quotes, comparing what is on the web site, and realize I am giving them a deal, there is no discussion on rates.

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Mary Hettwer
Hettwer Virtual Office

I did post my rates - some feedback I received was that since this is a new industry to a lot of people, they have no idea what to expect as far as rates. So it is nice for them to be able to easily get that information.

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Devon Zimny
Vintage VA Services

Originally Posted by Hettwer_Virtual_Office

Some organizations that you may join frown upon you posting your rates.

I haven't come across this and would be very surprised if I did. What I have come across is VA forums and groups that ask VAs to refrain from discussing specific rates as it can be construed as 'price-fixing' and may be illegal.

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

I don't post my rates and never will. If I am looking at working with a VA and they have their rates posted 99% of the time I make my decision on whether or not I want to work with them based on what's there and 99% of the time my decision is no. Of the successful VAs that I closely interact with (my inner circle) none have their rates posted.

I'm sure there are some veteran VAs out there with their rates posted, I just haven't found any. Whenever this topic comes up the people that I respect in the industry (the ones that I look at and say "I wanna be like her") say they'd NEVER post their rates. I've always felt that way but it keeps coming up and the more it comes up the more convicted I am that I won't do it.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

My site still isn't live, but I'm not planning on posting rates. So, it's good to hear from people like Lanel who are successful without them.

I do worry though about potential clients not wanting to ask about rates and maybe moving on to someone who does show them. If I think of how I would handle it if I was the client - I don't have any problem asking for rates, but I would worry that it was going to get me on a mailing list, or that I'd get a lot of follow-up emails trying to convince me. So I think I'll put some sort of blurb there to put their minds at rest about that.

Deb

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Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros

That's a good point about customer service and about what others have experienced... hard one to weigh up. I don't have my rates online but I am so new I have also not yet advertised the site so not too sure what will happen either way. Great to know there's a place to find out this kind of stuff.

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Virtually yours,
www.nzvas.com

Originally Posted by leedrozak

I post me rates as "rates start at $XX", I don't think it hurt me at all and I know it has helped with prospects. Please stay away from using "cheapest", some will only focus on that and not on the value of your service. Not one of my clients has filled out my RFP form, everyone was by email or telephone.

Oh I didn't mean that I was going for the cheapest rate by any means!! LOL
I just was speaking in general terms.

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm sure I am going to keep them off the site.