Like Tess and Janine, I've done both but I think I've had a better response since I took mine down. What I've done is make my intro packet easily available with an auto-responder, this way PC's can easily click my link to find out more.

The nice thing about giving them the whole intro packet rather than just rates is that they get information about my business, my background and testimonials from clients as well, so they see my value before they see the rates.

Also I just want to mention that the discounts someone quoted earlier seem really high to me, give too many discounts at 20% and you're going to be needing another client or two to make up for it and be able to support your business. It can be almost as destructive to your business as setting your rates too low.

__________________
~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

I have read somewhere (can't recall where) that it's better not to list your rates on your site . I know some VA's have had different experiences. For me I don't list my rates on my site. I do have a general rate sheet that I send out when a potential client requests more information about our services. I prefer not to work with clients whose 1st question is "what is your rate?" I prefer more along the lines of, "these are our needs, can you provide them ?"....then rate questions.

I too have been contemplating advertising my rates on my website. What a brilliant way to weed out clients who would probably be hard to work with anyway. Thank you all for the advice.

__________________
Laraine Montgomery
Expert Virtual Office Services

It makes sense to post them on your website to weed out the clients who can't afford you. Makes it clear from the start.

__________________
Melissa

I think it makes perfect sense to post your rates. As others have said, it weeds out those clients that can't afford you.

Even those potential clients that can afford your rates, will want to know how much you charge and some may be put off, or think you have something to hide, if you don't publish how much you charge up front.

In my experience of dealing with various businesses, more often than not, those businesses that don't publish their rates/prices tend to turn out being expensive and try to give me a hard sell routine when I call them to find out.

So I can't see any real reason not to publish your rates. I think it shows you are open and honest and have nothing to hide.

__________________
Paul
Virtual Office Heroes

[QUOTE=Also I just want to mention that the discounts someone quoted earlier seem really high to me, give too many discounts at 20% and you're going to be needing another client or two to make up for it and be able to support your business. It can be almost as destructive to your business as setting your rates too low.[/QUOTE]

As a sign-up bonus (and as a promotional item), I was going to offer about a 5% discount off of their first service that I was offering. Also, every once in a while I was going to offer a refer-a-business bonus. Not a whole lot of them at one time, but every once in a while. I figure I could easily get that 5% back from my new customers.

I haven't actually started my business...I mean I haven't advertised yet. But these discussions in the forums are so helpful and answers a lot of my questions. I am so excited. I don't know how to go about marketing my business. But I will learn.

Thanks.

__________________
Irma Chism, Owner
ihttp://rmasvirtualofficesupport.com

Great question. It's definitely hard for me to post prices. I create a package based on their need. I give them the price if they were to have an in-house, my hourly rate and my discounted package rate to show them the savings.

Originally Posted by Clerical Advantage

Like Tess and Janine, I've done both but I think I've had a better response since I took mine down. What I've done is make my intro packet easily available with an auto-responder, this way PC's can easily click my link to find out more. The nice thing about giving them the whole intro packet rather than just rates is that they get information about my business, my background and testimonials from clients as well, so they see my value before they see the rates. Also I just want to mention that the discounts someone quoted earlier seem really high to me, give too many discounts at 20% and you're going to be needing another client or two to make up for it and be able to support your business. It can be almost as destructive to your business as setting your rates too low.

I agree 100%. I had been mulling over whether or not to post my rates on my website, and love the idea for the auto-responder info packet.

I know it can be a good hook to offer discounts for one reason or another, but I disagree with the whole "discount" ideology. You hit the nail on the head about discounts being potentially destructive to your business. The professionals we work for are not offering discounts for their services, and I feel we don't have to either. Retailers can offer discounts because they have a markup on their merchandise in the first place. Unless we are working with a markup on our rates, we could be discounting ourselves out of business.

I think I am going to utilize the auto-responder info packet and provide a general rate chart there, as well as in my "hard copy" information packets.

I am also going to add a statement to my rate chart that says something like, "You might find VA services for less, but you will not find the same quality."

Just my 2 cents!

I have decided to go with a few sample rates and then refer them to call me. I won't be able to really tell what everyone needs from a marketing standpoint until I speak with them. I will be offering a discount rate to non-profits as well.