The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Assistant Service Packages and Pricing
They say, “the best things come in small packages,” but what about virtual packages? Virtual assistant packages are where it's at for business owners who want to raise numbers and create a better work/life balance.
Regardless of a business’s size or needs, there’s a virtual assistant (VA) out there to fit the bill. If you’ve ever wondered which VA package is right for you or how you should navigate pricing, this quick guide will help.
Virtual Assistants and What They Do
Virtual assistants provide administrative and specialized services to clients from a location outside of that client’s workplace. As independent contractors, VAs come with various backgrounds and experience levels; some are new to the field, while others spent several years in the business sector before setting out on their own.
Although the sky’s the limit on what type of services VAs can provide for businesses, the most common VA tasks are those that can be delegated or are too specialized for the business owner to perform well. Examples of these tasks include:
• Scheduling
• Bookkeeping
• Travel planning
• Event planning
• Engaging with customers
• Copywriting
• Marketing
• Managing inventory
• Designing documents
• Sending emails
• And more!
Since virtual assistants exist in every global time zone, they make it possible for business owners to keep things rolling 24/7. VAs additionally free up time for business owners to engage in more of the visionary, deep-focus, and monetizable tasks that got them into business in the first place.
In addition to these benefits, virtual assistants can save business owners approximately 70% of overhead costs. These savings occur because business owners don’t need to cover hiring costs, a fixed salary, insurance, health benefits, PTO, office space, or equipment costs. As time doctor points out, you can hire a freelance VA for $1-100 hourly or pay a salaried employee $75,000 to do the same job!
The notion that VAs are a luxury for the wealthy few is inaccurate; more and more business owners are discovering the freedom and growth potential that bringing on a VA can give.
Quick Guide to Virtual Assistant Service Packages
If hiring a VA sounds like a gift wrapped up in a shiny bow, that’s because it is! Whether you’re looking for help with a one-off task, a long-term project, or a bundle of recurring admin duties, a VA can offer those services at a price that works for you. All you need to do is find the right person and package.
Below is a list of the most common packaging options you’ll encounter in the VA world.
Task or Project Services.
Go with this package option if you need help with a specific undertaking that does not require long-term support (e.g., planning a one-time Costa Rican getaway or preparing your taxes). VAs may charge a flat rate or an hourly rate for their services.
Subscription or Retainer Services.
Many VAs also offer options to work by retainer or subscription. These setups typically involve the number of hours the VA will work on predetermined tasks for you within a given timeframe (often by the month). This package type is ideal for long-term, recurring needs because it saves you from estimating and calculating the time/cost ratio for each task your assistant will complete. If the tasks will take longer than the agreed-upon timeframe, you and your VA will talk to determine additional options.
Full-Time Services.
Depending on your VA’s rate, this is a great way to get a full-time employee at a fraction of the salary. Some VAs offer full-time status as a service option, while others are willing to spend all their working hours on one client.
Rushed Services.
Need something done in a hurry? Many VAs offer expedited turnaround services. Rates are typically higher for this type of work because the VA agrees to put other projects, clients, and personal matters on hold to prioritize you. However, this type of service can be more than worth it if you need something on the fly or within a tight deadline.
It’s important to note that each VA operates under their own structure. Some are able and willing to let you customize your service orders, while others work within specific bundling options. Researching the VA and requesting a consultation call will help determine if a particular VA can meet your needs
Quick Guide to Virtual Assistant Pricing Scales
With the many options for VAs and packages out there, how can you know that you’re getting your money’s worth in terms of pricing? While VAs typically set their own rates, there are broad ranges for the terms and types of services offered.
The following charts show estimated rate ranges for particular types of services.
Typical rates charged by Virtual Assistants*
Figure 1: upwork Chart
Figure 2: time doctor Chart
As you can see, VAs typically run $7-100 per hour, depending on geographical location, skill level, and offerings. In the US, you'll generally see a median charge of $20-75 per hour.
When it comes to choosing your price range, it's important to consider the complexity of the task. While specific projects may require an experienced professional, others may be done just as well by a college kid. General administrative services start on the lower end of the price spectrum. But suppose you’re looking for specific support with social media marketing, medical or scientific research, real estate transaction management, legislative issues, coding, SEO, CRMS, etc.; you should expect a higher price tag in these cases. However, any investment you make will likely bring positive returns to your business, whether by drawing more customers or opening more monetizable time for you.
It’s important to note that while price ranges and estimates are helpful, they are not always enough to make a hiring decision. As Freeup forewarns, “just because one assistant has a higher rate than another, that does not mean that they are a more experienced virtual assistant. There are some virtual assistants out there who charge more than they offer.” This reality means that you’ll need to do a little research upfront. And who knows, you might be lucky enough to find a VA who is an expert in their field but new to the business (such VAs may offer lower rates initially as they establish freelance credibility).
You Must Be Marketable Too!
One commonly overlooked factor of virtual assistant pricing is your personality. That’s right; some VAs charge higher rates for demanding customers (as independent contractors, this is within their rights).
If you want to set yourself up to have the best rapport with your VA, always treat them like the working professionals they are. As self-employed businesspersons, VAs “hire” you as their client just as much as you hire them as your “employee.”
Accessing the organized, prepared parts of your personality will also help you reach the best VA pricing. You can pay for fewer VA hours by writing clear requirements and instructions for your delegable projects in advance. In your guidelines, include how an assistant should contact you with questions and how you’d like them to handle expected situations. In addition to the time benefits with your existing VA, you can also save your guidelines to pass along to other VAs you may hire in the future.
Finally, enlisting your common sense will save you time and hassle. Before you send a subscription payment, make sure the VA offers the services you need and works with a payment platform you can use. You’ll also want to ensure that your VA provides, or is willing to work with, a professional contract outlining the work agreement and any cancellation policies. This step will help you avoid locking yourself into anything that won’t serve you long-term. To make sure you’re working with the best, it’s also a great idea to review a prospective VA’s professional website (if they have one) and read any testimonials or reviews they’ve received.
It’s Time You Seal the Deal
Whether you feel like you or your business are stretched to the max or simply want to increase your bottom line, enrolling in a virtual assistant service package is a significant step forward.
Don’t let the many options on the market overwhelm you. As Jess Tyson, author of Panic Proof: How the Right Virtual Assistant Can Save Your Sanity and Grow Your Business, states, the best VA to choose “[is] not a cut and dry answer, you’ll need to use your analytical skills to figure out what sort of hourly rate makes the most sense for your particular needs, timeline, and sensitivity factor.”. As long as you know what you want and have done your research, you’re likely to find the VA of your dreams.
For access to guaranteed skilled and professional VAs, schedule a call with us today. We’d love to tell you about our scalable, customizable VA packages for general and specialized projects and help you with the next steps to make your business flourish!
WRITTEN BY: KATIE BARNETT
