So you've heard about using a Real Estate Virtual Assistant, you've heard how its a great way to amp up your productivity and allow you to do more business.
You've heard that you can use a VA only when you need one..sort of pay-as-you-go and that sounds like it actually might suit your budget. All you need now are some hot prospects and to shop some pricing and rates..easy enough. You are are sure you can find your VA for $10-$12 an hour real quick.
But...you get a rude awakening. Your ideal VA is going to cost you between $30-$55 an hour, depending on the service.
Why? I bring this up only because of a common MISCONCEPTION. The word "assistant" is giving you the wrong impression.
Running a real estate business takes business savvy. Tech savvy, Marketing savvy, Financial savvy, Internet savvy, Social savvy and think outside the box savvy. It takes alot of talent to keep the momentum going..contacting leads, managing your database well, planning and EXECUTING marketing campaigns, learning all the new technology and staying on top of your online precense. All of this is an investment in your time..time that could be overwhelming you, to the point that you are having a hard time keeping up the momentum. I won't even mention balancing your people skills, phone skills, sales skills..that is your department.
So in the corporate world, busy executives like you know that having team members that can handle some of the time consuming tasks is what it takes to be the best CEO of their companies. They don't do it all. They have people. Talented and effecient people. Let's take a look at some of the salaries of these talented individuals who keep the CEO on top of his or her game.
From PayScale.com
Executive Assistant: Salary: $40,000-$60,000 annually plus benefits
Internet Marketing Specialist: $50,000-$70,000 annually plus benefits
Social Media Marketing Manager: $60,000-$120,000 annually plus benefits
Transaction Coordinator: $30,000 annually
Webmaster: $45,000-$55,000 annually
Photoshop Professional: $40,000-$55,000 annually
Website copywriter: $50,000-$60,000 annually
Add in for free: real estate knowledge, training and experience
The above positions are the basic specialties that you will find in my particular business and many VA's like me. We are trained, we are experienced and we run our own companies as our own CEO's. We pay our own taxes, our own insurance etc. just like you. We pay for our office equipment and supplies. We pay for our training. All of it..just like you! We are worth our pay-scale just like you!
40 hours per month with a VA is an average of $1400. $1400 equals $16,800 a year. No employee taxes, no office equipment, no benefits. So when and if you start looking for your "assistant" ....get that word out of your head, and look at what you are really getting. You are getting a full fledged professional who takes their business very seriously..as much as you do.
Get to know your partner, they will get to know you, and after a while you will be amazed at the fabulous and effecient business you are running. Partnering with a real estate virtual assistant is an investment, an investment in you!
Ready to Get Creative? Laura Monroe | Real Estate Virtual Assistant
| Creative Agent Solutions.com| Copyright 2009
I am the CEO of Creative Agent Solutions.com. My team and I assist real estate professionals in implementing online marketing strategies, Wordpress, social media, and business systems to catapult exposure and dominance in their marketplace, while focusing on productivity and the bottom line.
Copyright 2010 Laura Monroe | Real Estate Virtual Assistant
Creative Agent Solutions.com 916.343.3823
Laura, excellent information on virtual assistants with the cost factors.
I have an assistant or I would use one. The main thing my assistant does is manage our closings for the team so it is a lot of follow up on a daily basis.
Hi Missy~ Thanks for commenting:) It's always a pleasure to see you. Assistants come in many forms, but when seeking more than just admin help, it helps to know what you're getting:)
Laura, you've really hit on an important point. Names have an awful lot to do with people's initial impressions; they set expectations. "Assistant" isn't at all an accurate description of the kind of support you're describing. How about "Virtual Administrator"?
Hi Ray! I know..it really is one of the biggest challenges.."assistant" really doesn't accurately describe it. Some other ideas have been tossed around.."Virtual Office Manager" Executive Virtual Specialist..throw real estate in there..and it just gets too long:( By the way I posted in Optimizers:)
Well keep tossing. You've simply got to get away from the word "Assistant". It's doing you a disservice and causing agents/brokers to overlook the quality of support they really need.
Hi,
This is Erica Smith, owner of some quality financial websites having strong internet presence,high traffic and good quality content. I'd like to have you as my link partner.
Kindly mail me your website or blog urls.
If you agree to do link exchange with me, then both of our sites will be benefited in terms of visitors and page ranking.
Have a nice day.
regards,
Erica Smith
ericasmith568(at)gmail(dot)com
Ah, yes, the old problem with job titles. I think job titles are the main reason why I just don't like working for a company other than my own. I like being "President" - LOL.
Laura thanks for this post. Great info once again. I believe I heard your name through Michael Russer. Do you know of Michael?
You have no idea how many times I've had to deal with this. The common response to my rate is:
"I can get an in-house assistant for only..."
Or maybe you do have an idea! Real estate professionals really do have a hard time getting off of the "assistant" wagon and onto the endless possibilities that an experienced VA can provide them. Thanks for this post!
~Renae