How to Work with High-Paying Clients

One of the most common questions Virtual Assistants ask me is how I attracted and maintained so many high-paying clients during the 14 years I’ve been a VA. It’s not a mystery. The answer is simple. To get high-paying clients, you have to charge high hourly rates!

If you charge low hourly rates, you’ll get low-paying clients.

While that might sound obvious, charging $50, $70, or $90+ an hour comes with its own challenges. You’ve got to conquer imposter syndrome, slay your negative thoughts, and ignore your skeptical friends and family who tell you, “You’ll never be able to charge $X an hour for THAT! You should just get a regular job.”

I faced this challenge when starting my business in 2010. But I was clear that a job wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted time flexibility instead of being tied to set hours. I wanted to decide how much I would earn instead of waiting for my boss to give me a 2% raise or suddenly lay me off. I wanted to be valued for my contributions and continue to learn new things rather than feeling stagnant.

Determined to make this vision a reality, I set out to learn how to get high-paying clients and create the business I wanted. Here are some key lessons I learned as I grew my successful business:

1. Invest in Yourself—Now. Waiting until you’ve made money or enough money is a mistake. To attract high-paying clients, you need to put your best foot forward from the start. This means working with an experienced coach who can guide you and motivate you as you learn best practices to establish yourself. You’ll need other essentials, like business cards, a paid Zoom account, and a great headshot to let the world know you’re taking your work seriously.
    
2. Commit—Don’t Dabble. High-paying clients don’t work with dabblers; they work with serious Virtual Assistants who maintain regular hours, promptly respond to emails, and consistently meet deadlines. Clients value VAs who approach their challenges with a positive, proactive, and professional attitude. By demonstrating dependability and commitment, you’ll be seen as a partner, not a side hustle helper.
    
3. Skip Shortcuts—Build Relationships. Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint. There is no overnight success. Consistently spreading the word about your services and building your reputation will take time, but it pays off. Focus on developing meaningful relationships with other entrepreneurs. Be generous, helpful, and authentic. This will expand your network and enhance your life in unexpected ways.

High-paying clients can afford your rates because they are playing at their A-game level. If you want to work with them, you’ll need to bring your A-game level, too.

By investing in yourself, building your network, and committing to your success, you’ll be ready to work with the high-paying clients you’ve been looking for.