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Virtual Assistant Recommended Books, Publications and Software

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HOW TO SET YOUR SELLING PRICE

An Expense and Time Worksheet to Help Determine Billing Rate
By Nina Feldman & Marlene McCall

Wondering about the overall costs and time involved in running a VA or Office Support practice? Here is a worksheet researched and put together by two experienced business owners for the Pricing Roundtable at the IVAA 2nd Annual Summit, October 24, 2003.
Free!

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Pricing Manual for Business Support Services
By Frank Fox, published by ABSSI, Inc.

Provides a simple formula for pricing your business support services profitably! Separate chapters address theories and strategies that relate to the pricing of your labor-intensive hourly services, automated functions, consulting expertise, and separate profit centers; plus guidelines for establishing minimum and overtime rates, implementing a price increase, and much more.
P301H    $34.95 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

How to Price Graphic Design and DTP Services
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

Shows how to use cost, return, and desired profit to set baseline prices for any service business. Covers pricing techniques, strategies and tactics, production time, budgeted hourly rates, estimating, bidding, and negotiating. Explains when to charge by the page, hour, and job; when and how to raise prices; how to determine the maximum income possible; and how to achieve maximum profit from each job. It also explains how to counter cutthroat competition and how to get your clients to pay the prices that you deserve. Includes numerous graphs, charts, tables, and case studies. This book helps you price with confidence while making pricing exciting, enjoyable, and profitable.
P303P(PDF) - $20 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

WHAT OTHER PEOPLE CHARGE

Regional Pricing Tables: Graphic Design, DTP, Multimedia and Web Services
(Annual, specific to your region)
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

Now you don't have to spend countless hours trying to find out what competitors are charging for projects or processes! The most comprehensive pricing reference on desktop computer services ever assembled. Pricing tables--customized to your region and compared to the nation as a whole--show thousands of typical, average, range, and sample prices for every aspect of desktop publishing, prepress, post-printing and multimedia. Based on extensive survey and data collection effort covering U.S. and Canada. Includes graphs, charts, and tables of demographic and economic statistics on the desktop service industry. These books are THE industry favorites for determining competitor pricing and identifying new potential profit centers to consider. Buyers use these books to validate the prices they are being quoted for out-sourced work. Sold by the region - California, Canada, Mid Atlantic, Mountain, New England, North Central, Pacific, South Atlantic, and South Central. Each book shows what others are charging in a specific geographical area.

Regional Pricing Tables, Real Prices Confidential , Hourly Rates


Please click for more Regional Pricing Tables for Desktop Services details.
P304H (binder) - $59.95  /  P304P (PDF) - $48 ~ Click here  for a printable order form. Pricing Web Services
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

As companies struggle to develop and establish unique websites, those who can design and present information online are discovering a virtual gold mine of opportunity and rich rewards for their knowledge and abilities. But many Web publishers don't really know what they're worth and therefore charge much less than they could (or should). This working guidebook addresses price from a business perspective and discusses strategy and tactics for making maximum profit. Detailed examples cover simple home page design and pricing a multi-page design and development project. From pricing to prospecting, this book is an information treasure chest!
P305H (bound) - $29.95  /  P305P (PDF) - $20 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

Real Prices Confidential
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

Brenner Information Group's extensive pricing research has yielded a database currently contains over 106,000 prices covering writing, editing, scanning, graphic design, desktop publishing, web design, multimedia, prepress, printing, and much more. Real Prices CONFIDENTIAL contains over 35,000 prices for web services alone. Real Prices CONFIDENTIAL is a secure database containing actual prices, pricing charts, and pricing discount grids. Now you can bid with confidence and for maximum profit because it's easy to see what prices your prospective clients see in their own town or state. Whether you provide, buy, or sub professional services, you can quickly determine if a quoted price is fair and in the ballpark. The busy person's passport to profit!
Please click for more Real Prices Confidential details.
P306SY (one-year online subscription, updated regularly) - $99.00
P306SM (30-day online subscription, updated regularly) - $40.00
~ Click here  for a printable order form.

Hourly Rates (specifically surveyed for your area of the country, updated regularly)
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

Now you can conduct competitor analysis without leaving your office and without having to call and pretend you're a prospect--the research has been done for you! Prices are listed by city and zip code. Detailed prices are included for writing, editing, scanning, digital photography, graphic design, desktop publishing, imaging, prepress, typography, multimedia, and web design/development services. Includes specific prices and average price ranges for each category.
Please click for more Hourly Rates details.

  • P307HNC - Northern California (bound) - $32.95 / P307PNC (PDF) - $24.00
  • P307HSC - Southern California (bound) - $32.95 / P307PSC (PDF) - $24.00
  • P307HNY - New York (bound) - $32.95 / P307PNY (PDF) - $24.00
  • P307HT - Texas (bound) - $32.95 / P307PT (PDF) - $24.00
  • P307HM - Minnesota (bound) - $27.95 / P307PM (PDF) - $21.00
  • P307HNJ - New Jersey (bound) - $27.95 / P307PNJ (PDF) - $21.00
  • P307HP - Pennsylvania (bound) - $27.95 / P307PP (PDF)- $21.00
  • P307HV - Virginia (bound) - $27.95 / P307PV (PDF)- $21.00
  • P307HF - Florida (bound) - $27.95 / P307PF (PDF)- $21.00
~ Click here for a printable order form.

HOW LONG TYPICAL JOBS TAKE

Industry Production Standards (IPS)

IPS is the industry's methodology for computing time for document production and administrative services. When using hourly rates, IPS becomes your most valuable resource in estimating and calculating time and charges for a full range of services. When figuring a piece rate--whether by the word, page, line or other unit--it helps make clear to clients that a poor quality original document will cost more to process than a neat, clear, well organized one. The IPS assists you in determining what price percentages to add on based on variations in quality in the documents clients give you. This allows you to be fair to clients while avoiding the penalty-for-efficiency syndrome.

You can get a copy of the IPS from the Office Business Center Association Int'l. Click on "IPS Guide" or any of the other product names in red

Desktop Production Standards
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

Time is the key, and good time data can mean the difference between making or losing money on your next job. Here's a book that answers the client question, "How long?" and helps you learn "How much?" Contains time standards, worksheets, and CD-ROM with Excel spreadsheet templates (Mac/PC) to help you develop custom timing standards, perform cost and overhead analyses, and calculate budgeted hourly rates for every service you offer. Includes special section on contract standards to help prevent misunderstandings between you and your clients.
T203H (bound) - $49.95  /  T203P (PDF) - $37.00 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

STARTUP AND PROFIT CENTERS

Starting a Successful Business Support Service
By Lynette M. Smith CPS, published by ABSSI, Inc.

Especially helpful in the planning stages of a new business, with valuable information on getting started right, daily operations, potential problems and their solutions, pricing, sales and marketing, and ideas and concepts that a new owner might otherwise overlook. Lists the effects of your home-based or commercial location on various business factors, gives personal security tips for women in home-based businesses, and describes the benefits of using the Industry Production Standards Guide.
S601H - $24.95 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA
By Diana Ennen and Kelly Poelker

A complete reference guide to starting a profitable virtual assistant business. Virtual assistants provide business support services to a broad range of clientele worldwide, specializing in web and graphic design, word processing, transcription, Internet research, event planning, coaching, editing/writing, meeting planning, concierge services, real estate transaction coordination, and more. This detailed book covers the how-tos of starting a business, including determining rates, specialty services, and how and where to find clients. Still working full time? They show how to ease into a VA practice while working full-time and continuing to care for your family. Along with the authors' personal experience over over 20 years, they include advice from VAs worldwide-the real pros. Cited as the book of choice for the VA industry, Up Close and Virtual is currently used as training material for VA courses, as the primary textbook for Red Deer College's VA Certification Program and required reading for students of Virtual Assistance U.
S602H - $29.95  /   S602P(PDF) - $27.95
S603H(Book and Financial Template) - $41.90  /   S603P(PDF and Financial Template) - $31.95
S604H(Book and Workbook) - $49.00
~ Click here  for a printable order form.

CONSULTATION

Professional Virtual Assistant Coaching and Consulting with Nina Feldman

Need a critique of your brochure, website, or sales letter? Having a problem with a client and don't know what to do? Establishing or modifying your overall pricing strategy? Trying to promote to a particular target market? Wondering if you've covered everything in a complicated estimate? Having an ethical dilemma? I can help! Consultation is available by prior appointment. Please email us send me an e-mail and we'll work out an appointment time for you to call.
C901L One hour sessions - $60.00 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

MARKETING GUIDANCE

Successful Sales Letters, Proposals, and Literature
By Michael C. Thomsett, published by ABSSI, Inc.

If you want to start a marketing campaign but don't know where to begin, this steps you through the entire process, from designing the marketing plan to writing effective sales letters that sell your business support services. Also included are dozens of sample sales-letter paragraphs written in businesslike, industry-specific language; guidelines for what to include in other sales literature such as brochures and business cards; how to create a sales proposal; and other ways, such as press releases and ads, to get your name in front of potential clients. This manual has great samples to use for attracting new business.
M401H - $39.95 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

Marketing Your VA Practice: It's Not About Money, It's About Having the Right Strategy
By Sharon B. Williams

A thought-provoking guide to developing creative virtual assistant marketing strategies. It offers viable marketing and promotional choices that aspiring and experienced VAs can implement to enhance overall marketing and promotion strategies. Written in a plain-speaking and down-to-earth style, this publication invites readers to "think outside the box" and consider traditional and nontraditional ways of reaching their ideal client. Experienced and successful Virtual Assistants, coaches, and industry marketing gurus share their experiences and offer solutions to your marketing dilemmas. Their practical recommendations are timely, effective and inexpensive.
M402H - $29.95 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

OPERATIONS

Special Report: Business Support Services Industry
By Robert C. Brenner, MSEE, MSSM, published by the Brenner Information Group

The average annual income for business support service owners in this survey was $38,943, but many are earning much more than this. What are they doing differently? What makes them more successful? Get the answers here, by comparing detailed data for all respondents to data for the TOP 9 (most successful) companies. Results from this unique, comprehensive report include location, business structure, longevity, number of employees and benefits provided, total hours spent at the business, hardware/software used, publications read, associations joined, marketing methods used, prices charged, typical job value, number of jobs per month, and more (2002 Survey Results).
O501H (bound) - $80.00  /  O501P (PDF) - $40.00 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

Business Planning, Concept to Action: A Guide for the Business Support Service
By Michael C. Thomsett, published by ABSSI, Inc.

When you set your benchmarks, write your plan, review it frequently, and track your results, you're practically guaranteed to meet or even exceed your goals! Helps you establish and clarify your true business goals and guides you through the process of making those goals the heart of your business plan. Another strength of this manual is its simple descriptions of financial documents, their purposes, their creation, and their usefulness.
O502H - $39.95 ~ Click here  for a printable order form.

EQUIPMENT

Transcribing Equipment
Martel has a very long tradition as being one of the largest suppliers of Dictation and Recording equipment in America. Martel Transcribers and Transcription Equipment for the transcribing Virtual Assistant!
Martel Transcribing Equipment Martel Transcribers

INFORMATION

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IVAA  IVAA 4th Annual Virtual Assistant's Summit (IVAA)

IVAA  NFC Recommended Virtual Assistant Organizations and Forums


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