It's still a "work in progress" to make it perfect, but I've finished my information/welcome package to hand to my mom (and hopefully 1st real client) today. Here's how I did it (using what was on-hand):

I have a white folder with two pockets and business card holder. I created 6 "informational" sheets the will hopefully coordinate with my branding colors (there are 5 colors in the pallet I chose). These sheets will also closely mirror the pages of my website and include:

(I printed them on card stock, but would eventually like to have them on higher quality semi glossy paper)

• What Is a VA?
  • Definition
  • Why Hire a VA
  • Cost Comparison chart
• Services
• Rates
• About Me
  • My Background
  • My Philosophy
  • Contact Me
• With Just One Hour (definitely still a work in progress, but I changed it up a bit. Instead of just a list of what I can do in one hour, I created two columns. One side is headed "While I..." and list what I can do in an hour. The other side is headed "You could..." and lists what the client could do with extra time.)
• Client Forms
  • Retainer Contract/Work Agreement
  • W-9 Form
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Pre-Consultation Questionnaire

I also included a very nice "Thank You For Your Interest Letter" and printed it on letterhead (I can post it if anyone likes to give you a nudge).

I made up some business cards and included 4 (btw, these folders would look much better with landscape style cards, I printed mine on out in portrait ). Again, I used what I had on hand so their not as nice as what I'd like, but the design is actually pretty nice.

FINALLY, I had some large labels laying around so I printed my logo and stuck it to the front of the folder. I think my mom may actually be impressed...lol

Question. I printed my logo on a high quality printer but it still looks a bit washed out and my drop-shadow doesn't show. Should I be saving it a different way for print. I think I used CMYK for the colors when I made it and saved it as a .jpg. Any ideas?

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Great job Stephanie - what a big project! Sounds beautiful and impressive!!

I haven't done print work for ages but I always saved my client's print files as PDF (from the original Photoshop file whenever possible). But that was for print-shop printing. You could try playing around with a transparency (PNG) and GIF just one at a time to see which comes out more crisp on your own printer.

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You sure have been busy Stephanie! Sounds like you have it all pretty much covered. When will you be presenting it to your mom?

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

Wow Stephanie! I'm impressed.

I wish you much success!

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

Looks like you have been very busy. Well done. It sounds like it is well organized. ~Carla

Good for you Stephanie.

They will always be a work in progress!

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Carolyn
Atlantic Virtual Assistant

Stephanie - I'm not a graphic designer, but I'm pretty sure if you put your logo on a dark-ish background, you'll be happier with the results. It's hard to see here, so I'm not sure what color to recommend - something purple-ish?

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Hi Stephanie! WOW awesome job on the packet! I'm thinking of doing something similar. I do have a design background so any help I could give you with making your logo stand out more, I'd be happy to. I'm not sure what program you created it in but it may just be a matter of adjusting your drop shadow and playing with the colors a little more. Let me know if you need anything. Congrats on putting together a great info piece!

Jackie Nees

For better printing, if you're using Photoshop, you might try increasing the resolution before you save it. (If you haven't tried this already.)

Great job on the packet. I'd love to see your interest thank you letter.

Let us know what your mom's response is.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Way to go Stephanie!
I've made packets like this for clients in the past, but I've never made one for myself. I have, however put together a tri-fold brochure (not quite as detailed as your packet), and I have a presentation binder on hand that goes over my business platform; hours of operation, example invoicing, billing options and expectations, new work order procedures, client profiles, confidentiality and then some examples of previously completed marketing materials. --- Marketing Materials --- sounds so glibb. Does anyone have a better name or terminology of that category of work? My brain's fried today.

Do you have plans of putting a digital copy of this together that you'll be able to either email, or place on a webpage that you could point clients to for instant viewing? I've thought about that a little; but with more "teaser" information and then direction to contact me for a more formal, in-person presentation; customized to their business platform.

-Tanya