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Why $2 Per Hour Just Won’t Cut It

by Chel

November 2nd, 2010

I see a lot of VAs in different forums who get deeply upset by other VAs who offer lower rates. It is but unfortunate for us overseas VAs that we cannot put up a higher rate because clients “expect” these rates that are offered to us as adequate compensation. Some outsourcing coaches advise that $2 per hour is what you just need to pay a reliable, English proficient virtual assistant in the Philippines.

I stand firm in my belief that we are a race worth more than that.

I feel hurt that other people think that the $2/hour rate is sufficient to meet our daily needs.

Just a quick run-through of my basic expenses monthly:

Php 7500 – Apartment rent (approximately $180/month)

Php 1500 – Internet & phone bill (approximately (approximately $35/month)

Php 3000 – Electricity (approximately $72/month)

————

Php 12000 – approximately $287

So if a client hires a Filipino VA for $2 per hour for full time work, that VA will just earn $320 monthly. The amount I’ve listed above doesn’t even include other basic expenses like food, transportation, education and other expenses.

If you are a client who thinks that rate is adequate to meet Filipinos daily needs, kindly think again.

But what is adequate?

According to Merriam Webster, adequate means sufficient for a specific requirement. Would $2 per hour or a total of $320 per month be sufficient to live off comfortably in the Philippines?

Does living in a third-world country mean that we should just earn a quarter of what our VA counterparts from the US earn?

I’m not angry at what other VAs earn. In fact, I’m envious. Given the same skill set, they earn more than I do and I can obviously do the same tasks, that other VAs can. It’s just unfortunate that I cannot earn the same rate as they can.

Outsourcing to the Philippines has been one of the secret weapons of a lot of online business entrepreneurs employ nowadays. While I am extremely overjoyed with this aspect that we get a lot of jobs here, I frown upon the the rate they’ve been wanting to pay the Filipinos. Offering $2 per hour for a virtual assistant job here in the Philippines just won’t cut it. Why?

For one, the current conversion rate is low. Well, it’s a sign that our economy in the Philippines is picking up. It used to be $1 = Php48 last year but now it has reached to $1 = Php42 now. Yes, we earn dollars but we incur a lot of charges with Paypal and bank transaction fees and what’s left of our wages is not really “adequate” to simply put it.

Frankly, I earn a lot more than that when I was working in the call center industry. I even get benefits, bonuses, paid leaves and 13th month pay. Clients should know that we don’t get those while we work at home as contractors and as such, we have to put aside money to pay them ourselves.

Clients want experts. If you want experts, or at least people knowledgeable and competent to do the job done, make sure you pay more. Not everyone has the skills or the know-how on Internet Marketing or Social Media Marketing. If you’re willing to train Filipinos at your expense, no problem with the $2 per hour. But don’t expect knowledgeable people to go for that rate. Heck, I started out as a VA for 100 pesos per hour (approximately $2.38) with no prior VA experience.

Just an advice to my fellow Filipino VAs, know you’re worth. Don’t settle for a rate below your skill set. You’ll get frustrated in the long run for accepting work that you will eventually feel exploited.

To clients, I completely understand your reasons for outsourcing your tasks here in the Philippines. We thank you for seeing the value of our hard work, skills and capabilities. However, keep in mind that we work our a$$es off to provide you great service… and if you really want to keep your Filipino VAs satisfied, raise the rates… because $2 per hour just won’t cut it.

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Are Virtual Assistants only for Administrative Support?

by Chel

October 6th, 2010

I tried to join one VA forum and I was declined. Their primary reason was because I was not doing administrative support. They said that the real virtual assistants are those that only do administrative support. Further, on their page it said that it doesn’t mean that you work virtually, you should call yourself as a virtual assistant. Like if you do web design virtually, you’re a web designer. If you do bookkeeping, you’re a bookkeper. A little weird, I must say for thinking such thing.

Why constrict yourself in just doing administrative support? Why not spread your wings and learn to do Internet Marketing or Social Media? Aren’t people who do those type of tasks not called a VA too?

Again, we’ll be going back to my first post. Best to understand it as early as now.

Now I understand why there are some VAs who try to move away from the virtual assistant term itself. They don’t want to be generalized as people who do administrative support. While it’s not bad to do administrative tasks, I feel that there’s more a virtual assistant can offer and not just being a remote secretary. Times have changed and as more business owners shift online, they need help with handling their businesses like marketing and support which is not restricted to administrative tasks. The more skills you have, the higher income potential you could get.

One of the most sought-after skills in the online world is Facebook techie skills. We know how Facebook is dominating the social marketing space and how it has connected many people especially businesses to their consumers. At the end of the year, FB will be changing how its business pages will be delivered and virtual assistants looking into delivering this niche must get ready as early as now in adapting to its changes.

Equipping yourselves with the right skills is essential in providing professional services as a virtual assistant. VAClassroom is one of the online training providers geared to helping virtual assistants be up-to-date with their skills. They provide topnotch training resources and opportunities for VAs to leverage their income potential and gain “in-demand” skills that are highly needed by the online businesses nowadays.

Knowledge in administrative support is important for a virtual assistant but isn’t providing Facebook assistance like helping clients in building their Facebook business pages more exciting?

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Top 3 Tools I Use in my Virtual Assistant Business

by Chel

October 4th, 2010

When I first started out, I didn’t have a clue on what I need to start out to become a virtual assistant. So I’ve come up with a list to show the top 3 tools that a virtual assistant must absolutely have before starting out:

1. Computer – To be able to work virtually, you need to own a computer! I prefer laptops than desktops as they provide you instant mobility. You can work anywhere you want—at home, coffee shop, my in-laws place, beach, basically anywhere! Of course, as long as there’s internet connection… I used to own a 2nd hand Macbook and it got destroyed because of Typhoon Ondoy. This disaster came at the point in my life when I was serving my last 30 days in my previous call center job. Talk about BAD timing! Anyway, I asked around for help and my HS best friend was able to ask a loan from one of his colleagues for me. I borrowed 20k and I was able to buy a brand new Acer Aspire 4736z for about 27k. I was able to repay it in 2 months time. I knew I can do it because I badly need the laptop for my newfound career! Although I so wanted to get a Macbook Pro but at that time, I just needed a laptop for work… to be able to work. Someday I will get my hands on that bloody MB Pro!

2. Internet Connection – You need a fast and reliable internet connection. We used to have Globe Internet (the wired one) when we were still living in San Juan. One of the things I learned from the previous outsourcing company I worked with was always to have a Plan B. So I went out and applied for Plan B with Sun. I got their wireless broadband USB. I even got it a discounted price as I was a postpaid subscriber. When we moved, Globe was out of the picture but I retained my Sun Broadband subscription and up to this day, this is what I use for my internet connection. It’s faster than Globe tattoo I tell you! I even bought their router to be able to work virtually anywhere in our house and of course get wireless connected.

3. Headset – I’ve used and owned a couple of headsets. My primary reason for purchasing one is to be able to easily talk to people online. The right headset makes a whole lot of difference! I strongly recommend you get the USB headset ones as they provide a nicer sound than those with the standard 3.5 mm jacks.

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6 Must-Have Skills every Virtual Assistant Should Have

by Chel

October 3rd, 2010

Now that you have understood the term virtual assistant, have you ever wondered what skills are required to be a virtual assistant? Virtual Assistant work is very diverse. You can do internet marketing, social media marketing, data entry, research, customer service, web design, virtual events, bookkeeping and the list goes on…

The services that every VA provides may differ but there are 6 must-have skills that every virtual assistant is required to have in order to be successful:

Computer and office skills – Since we’re dealing with online work, it’s a prerequisite that every VA must have the ability to use the computer and internet applications. If you have stumbled upon this post, you can pat yourself on the back. You have just proven to yourself that you’re able to use the computer, Internet, a browser, and most especially the search engine (if you found this article through Google, that is). Knowledge of MS Office or any similar office applications is also a must. Most often than not, a virtual assistant creates documents, spreadsheets and presentations for their clients
Self Discipline– To be successful as a VA, you must have a great deal of self-discipline. Working at home gives you the freedom to work at your own hours but it can also present a whole lot of distractions. That’s why you have to take note that work must be done accordingly. Remember, this is a business. As with any other business, there are deadlines that are set by clients for certain tasks and you need to meet this deadlines to show that you are professional in your work. I believe it would be worthwhile if you set a deadline for yourself to finish the tasks on hand. The faster you can finish a task, the more clients you can accept.
Resourcefulness – Sometimes clients provide you a vague list of tasks that need to be done. Being resourceful is a must-have skill because you need to have the ability to research answers for any kind of problem. Your client will love you if you take the initiative! While it’s not bad to ask the client for a solution, it would spell a whole lot of difference if you look it up yourself. Once you have found the answer, you may verify it with your client to see if you’re on the right track.
Anticipation of Needs – As you get to know your client, you get familiar with the tasks you consistently do. Providing your client the information about possible loopholes or things that would be beneficial to them would bring about trust and respect. I recall a close friend who is working in the hospitality industry saying that their work entails being alert at all times and thinking ahead of possible needs their clients may have. I believe this is an advantageous skill because as a service provider, it means you’ve gotten a good grasp of your client and their business which can make you a valuable asset to them.
Technology Requirements – I admit that working in the VA industry requires you to have the most current and up-to-date knowledge about technology & equipment. If you don’t have the latest and the greatest information, you’ll be left in the dark. Clients that find you online want their VAs to be able to communicate with them in a timely manner. If you have a very slow computer and internet connection, you may lose that client as speed and efficiency in doing tasks is usually one of the main requirements of clients. If you provide internet marketing and social media services, take note that skills for these niches are in demand nowadays and you always have to equip yourself with the latest information because it’s an ever growing and changing niche.
People Skills – A virtual assistant gets to meet a wide range of personalities. From prospective clients to fellow virtual assistants, everybody’s different! Nevertheless, a virtual assistant must know how to deal with different kinds of people. Although you’re working at home, always remember that you must be professional and behave accordingly as this will lead you to success in the future. Clients may recommend you to others if they find you easy to work with.

If you’ve got these six must-have skills, then you’re on your way on becoming a true-blue virtual assistant. Let me know if you have other skills in mind that could bring about more success to being a virtual assistant.

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Understanding the Term Virtual Assistant

by Chel

September 25th, 2010

Before you dive into the wonderful world of working at home, you need to fully understand the term Virtual Assistant.

I found a simple & easy to understand definition for it online:

VAnetworking.com: A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a highly-skilled independent professional who provides remote business support services.

This definition strikes the core of what VAs are and what they can do for businesses.

I’d like to separate the definition into sections for us to better understand it.

Highly-skilled – Virtual assistants are educated and Internet-savvy. They use different kinds of technology to assist clients but primarily they have a computer and Internet connection as a means of communication. Most VAs have worked already in a company but changed careers because of the freedom that the VA industry can provide them.

Independent – VAs are NOT employees. They work as freelancers or contractors for clients and as such, do not receive any benefits.

Professional – Virtual assistants are professionals in their own right. Although it’s a work-at-home job, they constantly deal with clients’ sensitive information. Thus, they adhere to strict moral and ethical standards that gain their clients’ trust. Being a VA provides you an ongoing creative and intellectually challenging work day in and day out.

Remote – Work is done and delivered from the virtual assistant’s location which is not in a regular office setup. Most often than not, VAs work from home. However, they’re not strictly confined to their home office as they can work anywhere they wish. It could be in a coffee shop, friend’s house or while travelling. As long as they have their laptop and internet connection, they can freely work anywhere.

Business Support – VAs are business owners themselves and they understand the problem of their clients which is most often than not, the need to save time and money and generate more income.

Services – Every virtual assistant has a different set of services that they provide their clients which means that the services they offer usually are the skills that they’re good at.

I hope by now you understand what a virtual assistant is. One thing, I would like to reiterate is that virtual assistants are not employees but are partners. They are “self-employed” people and are considered vital to their client’s success in their business.

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