Re: Requiring a Minimum Number of Hours
I am retainer based only, although I have 2 clients that are PAYG for at least 3 years. My minimum is 10 hours per month. My reasoning is that I certainly cannot really get to know my clients or their businesses in less hours. It then becomes a project-based practice, which is not what I want.
If a potential client does not want to work on retainer, perfectly fine - as I can't work with everyone. :-) It just leaves room for that perfect client to walk through the door. Also, by working on retainer, it absolutely makes my work easier because I guarantee them the time, block out the time, and don't have to stress if a client sends me something that I really don't have time to do in a quick time frame.
All things said - a retainer-based practice helps me really develop the relationships that I want, the business model I want, and I work with really great clients who get it that a VA-client relationship is just that - a relationship.
That is what is nice about this industry - you build what you want! :-)
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