Okay, so I'm in the beginning stage of getting my VA business off of the ground. I'm reading over my business plan, and I ran into a bit of a fork in the road in terms of rates.

My question is this: as far as my time tracking/rates handling, do I charge then an hourly rate if it takes me only 15 minutes to complete the task? For example if a client asks me to send out e-mails to their customer to notify them about an upcoming event, how will that work out of it only took me about 5-10 minutes to do the job?? How do I explain this to my customers?

If you are contracting on an hourly rate/basis then typically you would bill for the time spent on their work (in this case 15 minutes). Note that some VAs charge for actual time spent, and others round up to the nearest 15 minutes (or whatever you decide). So for instance, if it only took you 7 minutes to do the work, you'd still round it up to 15 minutes. There may be other ways of doing it, but I think those are the most common methods.

Remember, it's your business so you set your own policies. There are no hard and fast rules as long as it works for you and your customer, is agreed in writing (signed contract) and everyone's happy.

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Linda
Clockwise Virtual Assistance

Originally Posted by ClockwiseVA

If you are contracting on an hourly rate/basis then typically you would bill for the time spent on their work (in this case 15 minutes). Note that some VAs charge for actual time spent, and others round up to the nearest 15 minutes (or whatever you decide). So for instance, if it only took you 7 minutes to do the work, you'd still round it up to 15 minutes. There may be other ways of doing it, but I think those are the most common methods. Remember, it's your business so you set your own policies. There are no hard and fast rules as long as it works for you and your customer, is agreed in writing (signed contract) and everyone's happy.

Okay. So let's say that I charge $30.00/hr. Do I charge them $30.00 for the 15 minutes that I completed?

**If I seem a little slow I'm sorry. Math has never been one of my strong suits.**

Hello...hey - tell us your name when you post or better yet go ahead when you can and complete at least a little of your profile.

In response to your question...I concur with Linda. To put this into perspective think about what any other professional does. An attorney usually charges in 6 minute increments based on his/her hourly. A doctor does not care if he spends 1 minute with you or 20...it's still the same set fee.

You can look at it this way as well... If you have 10 clients and they all tap you consistently to do little 5 minute things here and there and do not expect to get charged then that is almost an hour of your time.

It is very important that you do not try to convince your clients of anything - and the information I provide you is for your mindset alone and should not be used in conversations with them. Set your policies, make sure expectations are clear in your own mind, and if the client balks at you billing for 15 minutes for short jobs then that is definitely not a client that you want because they are going to nickel and dime you to death. If you are confident and clear in your own mind that you are doing the right thing - the right people won't even think twice about it.

Hope this helps.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

Originally Posted by On My Wings

Hello...hey - tell us your name when you post or better yet go ahead when you can and complete at least a little of your profile. In response to your question...I concur with Linda. To put this into perspective think about what any other professional does. An attorney usually charges in 6 minute increments based on his/her hourly. A doctor does not care if he spends 1 minute with you or 20...it's still the same set fee. You can look at it this way as well... If you have 10 clients and they all tap you consistently to do little 5 minute things here and there and do not expect to get charged then that is almost an hour of your time. It is very important that you do not try to convince your clients of anything - and the information I provide you is for your mindset alone and should not be used in conversations with them. Set your policies, make sure expectations are clear in your own mind, and if the client balks at you billing for 15 minutes for short jobs then that is definitely not a client that you want because they are going to nickel and dime you to death. If you are confident and clear in your own mind that you are doing the right thing - the right people won't even think twice about it. Hope this helps.

In other words, if I do a 15-minute job, I'm basically charging them the hourly rate, huh?

As far as the profile, I'm a little shy. I don't have NEARLY as much accolades as the women on here. My business isn't even started up yet--it's in t he making though.

Thanks for your help.

That's ok...we all started at the beginning and none of us had a big profile to start with. Well maybe those who started this forum, but I know many didn't. But I understand and we all want you to be comfortable...so maybe even just saying your first name at the end of a post would be cool - but of course it is your call.

I do just want to clarify. If your hourly rate is $50.00...then you would charge them $12.50 as a minimum charge.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

Originally Posted by On My Wings

That's ok...we all started at the beginning and none of us had a big profile to start with. Well maybe those who started this forum, but I know many didn't. But I understand and we all want you to be comfortable...so maybe even just saying your first name at the end of a post would be cool - but of course it is your call. I do just want to clarify. If your hourly rate is $50.00...then you would charge them $12.50 as a minimum charge.

How did you come up with the $12.50??

I did my signature...

$12.50 * 4 = $50.00. 15 minutes would equal $12.50. - Oh...and hello Nadia!!

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

Originally Posted by On My Wings

$12.50 * 4 = $50.00. 15 minutes would equal $12.50. - Oh...and hello Nadia!!

Oh I gets it now!! An indeed smart thing to do.....

Yep. I think I'm going to do just fine in this business. Thanks Pam!

I'm sure you will. You are most welcome.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching