Administrative support is often priced as if every hour were interchangeable. In practice, the value and workload change with response expectations, system complexity, confidentiality, decision authority, and the cost of switching between clients. A sustainable offer defines capacity and service level together.
Build a floor that includes coordination time
Your annual plan should include compensation, tax, software, equipment, insurance, training, sales, and unpaid administration. Billable capacity should reflect client switching, inbox checks, scheduling gaps, and the time needed to maintain reliable systems.
- Include recurring account and process maintenance.
- Price specialized tools or certifications into the service.
- Reserve time for your own operations and pipeline.
Package access without promising unlimited work
Monthly packages can reserve a number of hours, a defined task queue, or a service outcome. State business hours, response target, communication channel, task priority, rollover, overages, approval limits, and emergency availability.
- Use a minimum booking size for fragmented requests.
- Charge separately for after-hours or urgent coverage.
- Review packages when task complexity or meeting load changes.
Worked planning example
At a $55 internal target, a 30-hour monthly capacity block has a $1,650 value. Add $120 in client-specific tools and a 10% coordination reserve for a $1,947 planning checkpoint. Whether you round, bundle, or adjust that price depends on commitment quality and service level. This is illustrative.
- Reserved capacity: 30 × $55 = $1,650
- Client-specific tools: $120
- Coordination reserve: $177
- Planning checkpoint: $1,947
Increase rates by increasing clarity
Track recurring workflows, document the systems you improve, and report time saved, errors prevented, or response reliability. Specialized operations, bookkeeping coordination, launch support, or executive assistance may justify a different offer from general task execution.
Sell a clear capacity and response promise, then protect it with priority, hours, and overage rules.
Educational planning content only. Pricing, taxes, contracts, and client circumstances vary; use professional advice where appropriate.