What is a VA Really Worth?

This blog is about my industry--a Virtual Assistant. I am not new to this profession, but I am new to being an independent contractor.

Have had a couple of people contact me recently and they want a VA for the same price they would spend to hire a girl right out of high school. I am a little shocked to hear that. I will not accept a job at minimum wage or a little above.

I told one potential client, "You are paying for experience and you are paying someone to show up on a regular basis. A professional VA will not be late, call out sick because their date with their boyfriend ran overlong, will not take off early just to go the beach, ignore deadlines. What you are paying for is a person who will do the job they are hired for and only charge you for the time they are working."

She replied, "But to pay you that much for something I can do myself..."

I told her, "Of course you can do it yourself, but hiring a VA will free up your time to do more important things, leaving the mundane administration work to your VA. You will have more time to run your business."

She said, "I can get a girl right out of high school to do my typing."

I responded with, "Yes, you can, but you don't get years of experience to go along with that girl. VAs do more than just type. We can handle just about all of your office needs, including answering the phone."

She replied with, "Good point." I still haven't convinced her to pay the extra money for a VA. We shall see.