Why do people tend to pay more for goods, services or support? Because of the value, they’re receiving in return. If an individual is hiring someone to work in the typical office environment they would be compensated according to their skill set and experience. So why should it be any different when hiring remotely?

In this remote industry, it can be difficult to determine what price is the right one. Knowing what you want out of your Administrative Consultant is the easy part. You want highly skilled, competent individuals to provide you and/or your team quality support. The only difference is your Administrative Consultant is not your employee and there is no resume to use as a reference. So, how do you find these individuals? There are social networks such as LinkedIn where experience is laid out in a profile and some may even have recommendations. If you ask, most Consultants don’t mind providing you with their background experience either. Websites are also a great way to get to know your Consultant. Things like support options, pricing, contact information and background experience should be included. Personally, I like to have a call with each potential client to find out if we’re a good fit. By speaking to my clients first, I’m able to learn more about them and decide if the support I provide will be beneficial. These calls usually consist of support needs, getting a little background on one another and how your consultant works on a day-to-day basis.

After you’ve finished the vetting process the next question is cost. What should an Administrative Consultant charge? When thinking of payment my advice is to consider these factors:

• Their time is valuable– Most consultants have multiple clients, so they’re likely juggling many projects and tasks at one time.
• Cost versus quality– I think this speaks for itself, but ultimately it’s up to you.
• What type of support is needed?– Will you be needing daily interaction, single projects etc?
• Skillset– Do you need support that includes an enhanced skill set such as content creation, graphic design, bookkeeping, marketing, or advanced administration skills?
• Experience– This is a tricky one, you may feel fine working with someone who is just starting out. I’m mean, they have to start somewhere right? I would just make sure that the individual has some background experience in the type of support you’re needing. Of course, there are seasoned professionals with lots of experience, I have ten years and counting myself. So, the way I run my business may be different, it’s really about collaboration and finding someone who will bring value to you and your business.

Remember, when you decide to work with an Administrative Consultant do your research. Take the time to properly vet the individual and consider all the factors above. By doing that, I think you will have a better grasp of what makes sense for you. After all, you’re choosing to work with an Administrative Consultant because you need quality support. You’re leaving important aspects of your business in their hands. They should be compensated accordingly.