Hi Fellow VAF Team:

I recently replied to an RFP on this forum and I was pleasantly surprised to actually receive a response from the prospective client! She was really kind and said something to the effect of: "Hi, Thank you for your email. Your prices are a bit high for me."

So, now I'm thinking...should I lower my rates? Am I not going to get clients with my prices set the way they are? I've seen graphic designers charge as much as $50/hour and they get clients! So, I'm not as much as they are, but I'm wondering what everyone else is experiencing...

Did you have to lower your rates? Have you recently increased your rates? If so, did you lose clients or did they not bat an eyelash at the increase? Should I offer a 'Grand Opening Special'? Not sure where to turn here, but I'm interested in everyone's take. By the way, it's not listed on my site, but I will be charging a deposit prior to starting all projects and then bill at my hourly rate beyond that...

Thanks!

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

You will get the clients that are worthy of your skills. Don't beat yourself up about what others think of your rates. Remember you have confidence, quality and reliability on your side.

Remember, they get what they pay for.

Andrea~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Thanks, Andrea. Much appreciate the feedback. I will stay put with pricing, then. Your response made my day!

Kathya

Originally Posted by Action Jackson VA

You will get the clients that are worthy of your skills. Don't beat yourself up about what others think of your rates. Remember you have confidence, quality and reliability on your side. Remember, they get what they pay for. Andrea~

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I agree with Andrea. Don't lower your rates because one person could not afford you. This issue is raised often and only you can determine your worth. Lately I have increased my rates on some services and it is not deterring clients in the least.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I know what your rates are and think they are just fine. You will find plenty of clients willing to pay your rate. Remember, there are people willing to pay $4/hour for overseas help, too. Its all a matter of what level of quality for which folks are willing to pay.

And, I don't have my first-time client deposit listed on the website, either. I discuss that with them as part of the initial interview. No-one has ever blinked at that and, if they did, I wouldn't work with them anyway as there would be no guarantee that they will pay me for completed work.

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

I agree. Don't lower your rates just because one client thinks you're too high. As you and others have said, there are plenty of clients out there that don't even bat an eye at a VAs rates and, in fact, pay more in some cases.

One thing I read today about rates was to offer the client options. Charge different rates for different services or, like you've done (and most others do as well), offer discounted rates for retaining you. From what I read, some clients have a "super size it" mentality and will automatically go for the highest retainer to get the discount and then you'll have others that just want the small or regular size. So, I think you've done well all the way around. (it said to think "small, medium and large").

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

No, no and no. Do not lower your rates. I peeked at your website, and your rates are right in line with industry averages and nowhere near too high. There will always be someone who wants something done for less, but those who truly value what you do will be willing to pay your hourly rates.

As an aside, when I first started out I was having lunch with a local business owner when the subject of my rates came up (it was a get-to-know-you meeting, not a potential client). When I told her, she didn't even bat an eye. She actually told me I should be charging more! When I told her what the industry averages are, she said she thought the industry as a whole should be starting on the higher end of the averages. Granted, that is the opinion of just one person, but it goes to show that people really do see the value in what we do.

Great! Thanks Ladies! I appreciate the positive feedback.

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I'm in total agreement with everyone here. There will ALWAYS be someone out there who will tell you they think your rate is high or that they can't afford you. You just wish them the best in their search and continue making your way to the ideal clients who do have it in their budget to pay you what you are worth.

If you lower your rates, then you just have to take on more clients to make as much profit....and this just means working harder for less.

I raised my rates in the middle of last winter (in the midst of this recession) and never looked back.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Your rates are what they are for a reason, and I am sure you took some time to come to that number. While you were not chosen because your rates were too high, others may not have been chosen because their rates were too low.

I recall having a discussion with a client and told her my rate, she grabbed a calculator, pushed a few buttons then told me that she could afford that. Later in the project I ran across information which told me that she had actually budgeted for about 25% more than I charged. LOL

Think of what you do when you get estimates from a professional for a project. Most of the time the prices are only one set of criteria, timeline and the relationship also factors and you usually get many estimates so more people get rejected than hired.

Gosh now I've just gone on and on but you get the picture. Hang in there, your hard work will pay off.

Cheers!!

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Bernice
Energy Virtual Assistant