I have no idea how much to charge per hour. I'm new to this so don't have any experience as a VA, but I did graduate from law school and want to "specialize" in working with attorneys. Can someone please help me determine some sort of starting price? I saw somewhere that actual rates shouldn't be posted here, so if this is info that shouldn't be on the forum, could you please PM me if you have any advice? Thanks!

Hi,

Check out this thread for a great calculator to help determine rates.

There are also fee calculator tools in The 2-Second Commute and The Virtual Assistant's Start-Up Manual, both of which also contain other invaluable info to help set up your business. You can read more about these books and find links to purchase them in the Book Review section here on the forums. I did those book reviews and would recommend either book, but quite frankly, The 2-Second Commute is less expensive and contains more in-depth information for someone just starting out in the VA world.

Hope this helps!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

If you go to http://www.ninafeldman.com/resources.htm you'll find something there that will assist.

I have also written two books that have a calculator in them which can be seen at my website - linked in my sigblock. I hope that one day they'll be reviewed here too.

When I first started out, I spent a lot of time looking at other VA websites. It will give you a good idea of what the going rate VA's are charging comparable to their relative experience and I found that to be a big help.

Good luck!

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

There is a great rate calculator on Freelance Switch - http://freelanceswitch.com/rates/


~E

My method was very simple. I just decided I wanted to make $x per hour and that is what I charged. I knew my rates were competitive in my market and I left room to raise my rates in the future if needed.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I combined the freelance calculator estimate w/the going rates for a bookkeeper in my area and then took into consideration the approx 30% taxes I would have to pay. My rates are at about the mid-point for a bookkeeper so I don't look "cheap" and inexperienced but I also have room to raise my rates in the future without appearing too steep.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Check out this article on VA industry averages, it might help give you an overall idea of what the going rate is - I'd also suggest checking out other VA business sites, particularly those who offer the same services/specialty as you to get an idea.

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