Survey - Please Fill In

Drea

Hey guys,

I have created a short survey that I was hoping you might all fill in about your use (or lack of use) of a Freelance Administrator/Virtual Assistant.

There are only 4 multiple choice questions, I'd really appreciate if you have the time to have a look.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GSBQLZF

Thanks!

Drea

Thank you to everyone who has done they survey so far. It is really helpful.

Drea

Me again. I have had 20 people fill out the above survey. The one thing that stands out is that most people have said they would be willing to pay between £5 and £7.49 an hour for a Freelance Administrator/Virtual Assistant. Most VA's charge between £20 - £30 (and the lowest I've seen is £15) per hour, and they do get paid this. I have my own thinking behind why I am getting the responses that I am but I just wanted to ask you guys why you would expect to pay this amount?

Thanks

Old_No.7

I put £10 an hour max, and I charge £25 for my time myself. Not sure why: possibly because I used to live in London, but not anymore, and pay is so much lower here, I could get someone for a similar hourly rate to come to my house and do the work for real, not virtual, IYSWIM?

I would prefer a fixed rate to an hourly rate though, especially if you're not used to having an assistant, so you know where you stand with outgoings.

Drea

Old_No.7 wrote: »

I put £10 an hour max, and I charge £25 for my time myself. Not sure why: possibly because I used to live in London, but not anymore, and pay is so much lower here, I could get someone for a similar hourly rate to come to my house and do the work for real, not virtual, IYSWIM?

I would prefer a fixed rate to an hourly rate though, especially if you're not used to having an assistant, so you know where you stand with outgoings.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm a Freelance Administrator, I also come to your office/home if required

Thanks for the input, everything is helpful.

LineyK

Hi,

just picked up your thread after typing freelance adminstrator into google. I have been self employed for 2 years now offering an adminstration support service, this is quite varied from event management of mainly small events with about 60 people to an awards ceremony for nearly 200. I also provide some marketing and general adminstration support.

Like you I have found it hard to know where to price myself. I agree from what I have seen VA tend to charge a lot more than what I am charging per hour and I'm beginning to think that I am not charging enough - £15 per hour plus out of pocket expenses i.e. mileage at 45p per mile, excessive stationery purchases etc. I am earning more now than I was when I was employed, but then it's easy to forget the extra overheads which need to be considered when freelancing - electricity, telephone, insurance policies.

Luckily I have a good business network where I live and work so far has been very much recommendations and word of mouth so I haven't really had to do much to look for extra business, but I always have this niggle as to whether I am charging enough.

I recently managed an event and the company who I was working for employed the services of a PR agency when I saw how much they charged for their time, mileage etc. my services were well under priced!

It would be interesting to see the outcome of your research and to know your eventual findings with regards to pricing.

tinkabell2002uk

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Apologies for barging in on your thread ....

I have been considering VA work for some time now as I am in the process of registering as a foster carer and need something flexible to tide me over when I dont have a child placed with me. I have a huge amount of admin and office management experience and I have worked with a number of start up companies in the past as well as LA. I have also managed recruitment agencies, worked in the travel and hospitality sector, retail, advertising - you name it, I have dabbled

I was just wondering if anyone had ideas on how to find clients for this type of work. Im aware of all the common ways, leaflet drops, local ads, freelance websites etc. Any other ideas and suggestions would be seriously appreciated

Have lovely weekends people x

Horace

I think you have to charge what the market can bear.

I do a bit of admin work and get paid £7 an hour which I am happy with but for my event management work I charge far more and tend to work on a fixed fee basis. I don't mind receiving £7 an hour for my admin work because I am actually learning stuff too - I now do all my own SEO work on my website having been shown what to do and I am learning to use new software.

I must admit that it always niggles me that VAs offer themselves out as event managers - taking business from freelance event managers. Why do you do it?

Drea

Horace wrote: »

I think you have to charge what the market can bear.

I do a bit of admin work and get paid £7 an hour which I am happy with but for my event management work I charge far more and tend to work on a fixed fee basis. I don't mind receiving £7 an hour for my admin work because I am actually learning stuff too - I now do all my own SEO work on my website having been shown what to do and I am learning to use new software.

I must admit that it always niggles me that VAs offer themselves out as event managers - taking business from freelance event managers. Why do you do it?

I hate to point it out, but the irony in that paragraph was extreme

You do Admin work then, yes?

mizzbiz

Horace wrote: »

I must admit that it always niggles me that VAs offer themselves out as event managers - taking business from freelance event managers. Why do you do it?

That's like saying it niggles me that electricians offer plastering too, taking business off plasterers!! Or why web design companies offer SEO, taking business from SEO consultants.

VA's offer whatever services they are qualified in - if that's event planning too then they are event planners as part of their VA offering. All's fair in love and business!! It's not taking business off anyone the way I see it. It's a service!