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#1 (permalink)   01-14-2009 TammyVA Contributing Member   Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 50 Do you require a contract from new clients? How do you let your clients know you need a contract to make sure this job lasts a while? Does anyone do this?

#2 (permalink)   01-14-2009 Office Goddess Senior Member Company name: The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC   Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 2,966 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? I use a contract with every client I have - even '1-offs.' I simply present the contract to them when they hire me as part of the 'welcome kit.' __________________ Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

#3 (permalink)   01-14-2009 kberes03 New Member Company name: Karen Beres, VA   Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 48 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? I have not gotten any clients yet as I am in start up mode, but the person who is coaching me said to ALWAYS use a contract. Hope that helps!!

#4 (permalink)   01-14-2009 D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance Resident Member Company name: D. Victoria Virtual Assistance A Virtual Perception Podcast: Episode 70: Business Networking ~A conversation wi... My latest Twitter: @SAHMconsulting Sweet. Thanks!   Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,783 Blog Entries: 15 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? I require a service agreement from every client as well (even in the past when I found clients via freelance websites). Once we have agreed to work together -- I just send over a service agreement for them to read over, sign and return. That's it! __________________ Darlene Victoria Gonzalez The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

#5 (permalink)   01-14-2009 vainparadise Resident Member Company name: A Virtual Assistant in Paradise My latest Twitter: How to Get More Freelancing Visibility http://t.co...   Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,854 Blog Entries: 1 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? My first 2 clients I had before my business was officially formed so for them I never had a contract. Ongoing, yes a contract is a definite. __________________ Dawn Riley A Virtual Assistant in Paradise Our business is about making yours better

#6 (permalink)   01-22-2009 blueboxer New Member   Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 25 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? Office Goddess whats in the welcome kit?

#7 (permalink)   01-22-2009 dognose Active Member Company name: Laserdog Productions   Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lafayette, CO Posts: 856 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? Hi blueboxer. Here's a thread about welcome kits: http://www.virtualassistantforums.co...lcome-kit-2173

#8 (permalink)   01-22-2009 Rebecka Melson Resident Member Company name: Virtual Business Services   Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 1,118 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? When I first started I let a few clients slide without contracts, and even though I never had a problem I do require contracts from all new clients. This however does not guarantee the job will last a while, only the clients need and the quality of your work can do that. My contracts are open ended, which means they do not lock the client in to a specific period of time, it is just to make sure that both parties are clear on price, payment terms, etc. __________________ Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

#9 (permalink)   01-22-2009 VBSOnDemand Junior Member   Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 472 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? I also ensure that all my clients sign a contract. It shows that you mean business and you are professional and most of all it confirms what you have agreed upon. Even though these contracts are very hard to hold up in court or legal cases but even if it is 1% chance it's better than none!!!! lol

#10 (permalink)   01-23-2009 MegBarberVA Contributing Member Company name: Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions Latest blog post: Infographic Fun: It?s All About The Images My latest Twitter: Learn the in-demand skills the Real Estate Pros ne...   Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 76 Re: Do you require a contract from new clients? My answer is a resounding YES. I always use a contract for any and all client business and with subcontractors. A contract shows you are a professional and you mean business. Your contract that explains the work you're providing, your terms, how you expect to be paid, what happens when they don't pay, confidentiality, etc. It is at least some way protect yourself in the event that something happens, or goes wrong.