I've been in the Virtual Assistant business for two years. It is a good home-based business; however, the competition is fierce.  Most of us, because of the economy use very competitive freelance sites to get business contacts or work.  Constrained to these low rates, doesn’t mean you allow your clients to dominate the partnership.  Don’t let your value be diminished during this economic downturn. In addition, you shouldn’t feel threatened by the partner you work with.

If you allow it, your partner in business may try to dominate you.  Taking the stance of employer, they may use tactics to try to get you to work more than what you are being paid.  They play the role of the dominator, thinking of you as the person in need. 

Most VA's worked for years to gain the expert skills they have. They are professional business owners.  They are not individuals to do a task here and there.  They actually are running a very important part of business operations, saving monies for their partner and maintaining their support services. 

There needs to be an equal understanding of what an executive needs and the value of what a Virtual Assistant provides. The Virtual Assistant groups are good in educating the market about the value; however, limited in the area of recruitment for work. Small business owners often do not use these groups to hire VA freelancers because they know they can go to less expensive platforms. The groups educate the executives on how to pick the right and valuable person. However, the then educated executives go to less expensive sites to get the highest level of skills for less.

I advise VA’s to learn to only bid on projects that state that they are looking for professionals and long-term relationships.  However, if at times, you accept rates lower than your value, just remember it is up to you, to make it clear that you are an equal partner with the same goal of success.

It is important to evoke an equal authority.  Let them know that they are not your employer and that you work on the same partnership terms.   A good working relationship can be profitable and successful to you both.

Like your partner, you are in charge of your destiny and your dignity.  If there comes a time when your partner starts to try to dominate you and you get tired of the signifying attitudes, domineering personality, almighty arrogance, and low rates, fire them.

You continually feel frustrated about your altering pay levels despite trying techniques and ideas for achieving a weekly reliable pay.  It could be your partners have reached the limit of value to place on your role.  You could have a very high potential value.  However, if your partner does not enable you to perform fully, you are left with not doing the job you were excited to bid on and accept. 

The job posting was perfect.  You had the right skill sets required.  They required a sense of commitment.  They needed a partner.  The hours needed were adequate.  The only obstacle was the need to use particular software.  You go out and get it.  That is how excited you are about the partner opportunity before you.  You construct the contract agreement and it is signed, and off you go.  On the first day, you began to establish systems and procedures, develop project plans, and manage emails.  You have become a partner; the right hand of a business operation. 

On the fifth day of service, you were on a roll, feeling worthy of your skills.  At the end of the week, you proudly submit your tasks accomplishment sheet.  Your task sheet shows the amount of hours worked, with the balance due.  You anxiously await a comment on how much you have accomplished.  Not thinking about the time spent to get the job done. 

You receive a response.  There were no comments, but a response of “the hours are way beyond the budget.”  The next line “next week we have to cut the hours down” from 35 to a ridiculous 10.  The undone assigned multiple tasks will take about 35 hours a week to complete, but they want them done for a 10-hour week.  They tickle me.

When this happens, you find yourself searching again for another partner to add to the hours to supplement your income to fill the hole.  You don’t want to because you were dedicated to the other business’s interest to help achieve their goal.  Now you are left with seeking another partner to divide that spirit of dedication.  How many times can you divide your spirit of dedication?

It is very disappointing to start a project and have to stop.  I like to finish what I start within a reasonable timeframe.  Now you’re left wanting to complete that project you started, but you can’t.  You have to seek another project to supplement your income and you’re in the hole because of the software you purchased. 

I was one that was not for a monthly retainer fee, but I am beginning to understand the concept.  Most virtual assistants demand a retainer.  A retainer is defined as a fixed amount of money that a client agrees to pay, in advance, to secure the services or possible services of a virtual assistant or consultant.  The fee is typically not associated with the success of a project or based on achieving particular results.  A retainer is paid in a single, lump sum, or on an ongoing basis-typically monthly.  Sometimes this equates into an exact number of hours (usually at a discount, in exchange for the prepayment and commitment).  It covers certain work, without having to track it hourly.  This is attractive to the client, because it provides a monthly budgeted amount with guaranteed access to services at a discount.  It is attractive to the professional providing the services, because it allows for prioritization of time management while it locks in a guaranteed monthly pay.

If the full amount of the retainer, is not utilized a refund or a credit toward the next month, is not provided.  However, if the client use more time than the retainer amount will cover, they will need to pay the additional fees.  It is the responsibility of the client to use contracted hours. 

Try your best to obtain a retainer.  You cannot make ends meet otherwise.

Investigate why you want to achieve your goal, and what you will gain by achieving it through using a professional like yourself through fair negotiation of pricing.