i really like the idea of a trial period, it will help make it easier to know if you and the client work well together.

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Heather Burkett
Pit Bull Virtual Assistant

Crystal, I like your plan.

I don't like hours to roll over because it affects how I budget my time and money. Obviously, I don't want the client to pay for hours that he doesn't use, so your idea is the best of both.

Hmmm.... Now I'm really rewriting my policies!

Julia

It seems as if billing has to be very flexible depending on the particular clients needs. I feel that I have to set up many ways of billing in which will be custom tailored to each clients needs.

I bill retainer monthly at a set rate and number of hours. I don't roll over hours because the accounting for me becomes a nightmare.

I'll let the client know in the 3rd week that I have xx amount of hours to fulfill. I send a weekly timesheet so they know where I am with the time. I've never had extra time to spare...in fact I have to bill the next month for the extra hours used, at the client's request of course.

I have to keep it manageable. Everyone gets billed on the same day as well.

Janine

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I used to sell blocks of hours rather than monthly retainers. My blocks were available in 5 hour increments, 5 & 10 with a 30 day expiration date and 15+ with a 60 day expiration date. This worked well because some clients would have heavier and lighter work flow, depending on the seasons and just business in general. However, I got really sick of tracking my hours, so I packaged everything and when I proposed it to 3 of my current clients, they were so happy. Some months I may work more than others, but it all evens out in then end. I'm fairly certain I've anticipated their needs fairly well, and going forward, any new client I sign up, the packages are clearly outlined, so they know what they'll be getting for the money every month. For the next few months, I'm going to continue to track my hours just to make sure I didn't miscalculate, but after working with each of these clients for a year, I think I have a good handle on them and their needs.

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Your Branch Office
(248) 419-0341

I don't think I'll be doing a trial period or roll over any hours seems like a lot of extra steps for you but looks like its going to work out great in the end!

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Your Branch Office,

I would be interested in knowing how you package your hours. Do you package X amount of hours for X dollars? If you do that, how do you know how much time you have put in?

Thanks,
Janine

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I actually do a minimum 3 month up front and then go month to month because most of the people I work with are so scared (new business owners) and afraid to delegate. So for me, it usually takes that long to get them in the groove and feel comfortable in delegating. So far all of my clients have really responded well to it.