Virtual Assistant Forums - Online Community for Virtual Service Providers

karlaamaya · #1 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012

Hello everyone,

I have been crazy

about this situation. How many of you charge a consultation fee? Up to now, my consultations have been free of charge and don't know wether I should charge for the time spent with clients or not. I rented out an office space and will open in two weeks,

and will see more people. I will not only offer office support and basic bookkeeping services, but also income tax, notary, translations and other typing services for individuals. So, having said all these, should I charge a consultation fee for new clients? Please help!!!!

Clerical Advantage · #2 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012

I offer a brief first consultation (between 15 and 20 minutes) for free. During that consultation when questions are asked regarding items that require lengthier answers or the sharing of information that I charge for (technology & WordPress consulting) I explain that we would need to schedule another session in order to give them a comprehensive answer. It's a fine line offering the free consults because if you're not careful you can end up giving away information that you should be charging for.

karlaamaya · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012

Originally Posted by Clerical Advantage

I offer a brief first consultation (between 15 and 20 minutes) for free. During that consultation when questions are asked regarding items that require lengthier answers or the sharing of information that I charge for (technology & WordPress consulting) I explain that we would need to schedule another session in order to give them a comprehensive answer. It's a fine line offering the free consults because if you're not careful you can end up giving away information that you should be charging for.

Hi Tina,

Yes, I think is a bit different when you deal with a company, rather than an individual and that's why I'm a bit concerned. I have done notary letters and tax returns for people I know and never charged a consultation fee, but now that I will see other people, I'm not sure if I should. My accountant charges a first consultation fee and so does my attorney. Why shouldn't I right?

msva2011 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012

I'm actually glad this came up. I'm in the midst of writing a fee section on my website and I came up with the idea to charge a very low fee for my consultations..... let's say $15 which will be applied to their bill as a credit or towards services if we do business together. I also put the reason for the fee was to avoid no calls, unexplained cancellations etc. Is this tacky??

execgava · #5 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012

I guess this could go both ways.

I have commented on a similar thread to say some of what Tina said in terms of being careful to not give away too much during a consultation (you would be surprised at what some PC try to get out of you!)...you just have to get savvy at answering those far reaching questions...I even go so far as to say (always jokingly) "Now if I told you that why would you need me?"...again, always making it a laughing matter.

Honestly charging for a consult will most likely cut down on them because too many VA's (and similar service providers) offer free ones.

I bet your Accountant and Attorney actually give some value in their consults and so if you are going to charge, have in mind already what value you are going to give other than just information about your services. Maybe you can add that you will do an "Account Review" for possible acctg clients and just look at their Accounting System to make sure they have the right accounts set-up and still call it a consult and charge even more...or for possible Office Support clients a "Systems Review" to see if they have the right systems in place...maybe an hour of your time. I don't know...just a thought!

msva2011 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012

I was thinking the same thing. Some may think "why should I pay for something and I may not even use their services".

Don't know about this one.

karlaamaya · #7 (**permalink**) 08-15-2012

Sharon I agree and disagree. :S

I actually asked my attorney why he charges a fee for first time clients and this is what he said: "Some people only come to ask how much I charge for a certain service and how I'm going to be of help to them. I spend a good half hour to even an hour with them trying to explain how I can solve their problems. I think that if they don't hire me as their attorney, at least I was compensated for my time."

Now I'm more confused!

msva2011 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-15-2012

LOL @ Karla. I'm so up in the air about it all. I think I may just go ahead and scratch the low fee consultation and just hope they decide to use my services. I'm so in an I just don't know phase.

karlaamaya · #9 (**permalink**) 08-16-2012

I'll start off by not charging a consultation for those clients who only come in for Income Tax or Notary services. Of course if they come in every other week for consultations regarding their taxes and such, I will charge a fee. What do you think?