I'm putting together my pricing plan right now. I've gotten some great insight on how some of your bill/invoice from other threads. But I'm still wondering about charging a fee for a new client. I anticipate that "getting to know" clients, especially since I'm new at this, could take time. Does anyone else do this? Is this normal?


Marcia
Venture VA

Hi Marcia
I do take a deposit from all new clients against six months of regularly paid invoices - it's returned to the client after that time (against the invoices themselves) so isn't a fee by any means, but rather, provides some assurance for me as a business owner - allowing the client to build credit, so to speak.

I've never heard of charging a new client fee and wouldn't even know how to begin rationalizing such a thing. Have you heard of other VAs who do charge a fee?

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I don't think I quite understand what you are asking regarding charging a fee for a new client. Are you simply talking about rates or taking deposits?

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

Hmmmm.... I guess that answers my question. So any deposit you take is put toward the overall total charge. I can understand that.

Now, I've heard some of you talk about a "deposit" and some of you talk about "1/2 of the estimate" up front. I'm assuming this is just a matter of preference... any positives or negatives to share?

Marcia

That's really a matter of personal preference, I'd say and it's probably split down the middle as to who does what exactly...

Check out these threads for previous conversations in the same general direction - might help give you a bit more perspective on the topic.

How much time to quote?

What are your most important business policies?

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Thanks Tess! That first thread was EXACTLY what I was looking for! I'm still not sure how I'll do my billing, but I feel better about the fact that I'm not doing it wrong!!!

Good to know the info was helpful!

You know, my own billing and invoicing policies have developed over time, as I've come to learn more about how clients pay, when they pay, how often is feasible for small businesses and entrepreneurs to pay out, and how long is reasonable for me as a small biz to wait for payment...all of these factors, plus late payments, etc. have brought me to a billing process that I'm comfortable with - it sounds like you're doing fine and OK with where you are but don't feel like all of this has to be set in stone. You can adapt your policies to suit what you learn as your business grows.

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As always... you leave me inspired, Tess!!!! Thanks.

Marcia