But you can use that skill with other clients in the future!

In a comment to a post on another industry blog, I read this statement: “Most VAs won’t charge for the time it takes to learn a new skill if it will benefit them in their own business or the work they do for other clients.”

Now there’s a standard just screaming to be created.

Why not?

I asked a few newer VAs, and they said (in essence), “I wouldn’t feel right charging a client for time to learn something that I might be able to use with some other client in the future.”

Then I asked a few more experienced VAs, and they said (again, in essence), “It’s just easier to absorb the learning time than explain to a client why they should pay me. Besides, when I’ve tried explaining, the clients have told me I shouldn’t charge them for the time because I’ll be able to use this new skill for other clients and they shouldn’t have to pay for that.”

A couple of thoughts instantly spring to mind:

1. Virtual Assistance was never designed to be the inexpensive (nor “cheap”) alternative to hiring employees, but the efficient, convenient one.
2. You only have today—you can’t bank on tomorrow

Starting with #1, what I mean is this—your clients should absolutely pay you for the time it takes you to do anything you do for them, including learning new stuff. If they had employees, and they needed new skills, they would pay for the time it takes the employees to learn the skills. They would never say, “I shouldn’t pay for your time… you can use this skill with another employer someday.” Paying for time for work is the deal. Not paying for it? It’s bunk. Don’t fall for it.

And that leads to #2. You can’t make decisions today based on what mighthappen tomorrow. You absolutely cannot say that any skill you learn for one client today can be used by others, because you don’t know that. In reality, you may never have use for the skill again. So that’s a lame reason for not paying you for your time. It’s bunk. Don’t fall for it.

Instead, create a standard that says, “I get paid for every minute of my time worked for a client.” Then, make sure you communicate that to your clients, and prospective clients. Especially now that you understand why doing otherwise is foolish, you should be able to easily explain your standard to anyone who asks. And they, if smart, will get on board. If not? You already know the answer to that one, don’t you? :)

Comments

[Kathy]

Spot on Stacy! I charge for every minute.

[Jan St. Germain]

Amen to THAT sister. I can't tell you how many times I've tred to get this very same 'concept' across to people.

Not just clients or potential clients, but other VAs as well! You (as usual) have hit a very big nail on the head - dead on!! Thanks for sharing your take on this.

Best regards,
Jan

[Vickie Turley]

This is Stacy, actually :) Vickie connected with me just now on Facebook by writing the following comment on my wall. I asked (and received--thanks, Vickie!) her permission to post this comment on her behalf.
--
She wrote:

Hi Stacy, Good to see you here. I just saw a post below about not charging a client when learning a new skill if it will benefit others. Actually, I charge usually 1/2 to 2/3 to the client if they have asked me to learn this new skill and I am SURE it will be used with other clients. But if it won't be used by others, I charge the full amount to that client. My thinking is, if my other clients haven't asked about it, or their business is such I don't think they would use it, then this is specific to this client. They get charged for it.

[Ron McDaniel]

I agree with your post.

The one exception might be where someone wants to hire a specialist but the VA wants the work instead. (Assuming an existing relationship)

For example, if I wanted a book keeper and a VA said they wanted to do the work, then I would expect that I would not have to pay for the training.

However, if someone really wants the existing VA to learn something new (like setting up and customizing a blog) then they should absolutely pay full price.