Hello everyone,

I am reaching a point with my VA business where clients are looking for special packages of services that they can purchase instead of hiring by the hour.

I am having the hardest time putting together some service packages.

by the way, I offer internet marketing, social media and wordpress services.

So for example, I was approached by a local business owner who wants a small 5 page website, a facebook fan page, twitter and youtube account. They also want 'friend adding service' for their social accounts to help build them up. I am also assuming they may want some social media management.

I suppose I should be creating both flat rate packages and then bulk-hour packages?

Does anyone out here have website and social media packages set up on their site that have worked successfully for them?

Or can point me to a link that talks about how to create special offers or packages?

It would be great to visually see and create as a baseline for myself.

Thank you for your guidance. Have a rockin' day!

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Lisa Santos
www.lsvirtualassistant.com

Anyone in the forum that can advise on my question? I certainly would appreciate it. Thanks.

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Lisa Santos
www.lsvirtualassistant.com

Hi Lisa,
I don't have a sample to show you but wanted to say that whenever I want to quote a 'package' for a client (which is something I have just recently switched to in many cases, as opposed to hourly) I've just been taking it on a case-by-case basis.

I've seen examples of these kinds of packages for services like SEO or website maintenance but not for social media, though I'm sure they're out there.

It seems like a great marketing move, to create these packages and it makes it easier for people to hone in on 1) their ideal price point and 2) their particular level of need.

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I've considered (and even tried a few simple) packages but have found that with internet marketing and especially with social media services this is very difficult to do because there are so many variables that go into each client's needs. It just makes more sense to keep these services hourly. I've spoken to other social media VAs who have also tried packages and have found they just don't fit for those services.

You'd have to be really specific about how much they get for whatever package rate you charge such as 100 new followers per month and then make sure you're not getting the short end of the stick where it takes more time than you'd charge hourly to find 100 quality followers/friends.

The other social media VAs I've talked with have packages listed on their websites but last I heard they said they didn't have any takers on them since everyone's needs varied in so many different ways from the packages offered.

I tried some simple social media starter packages and it was the same result- not worth it. Once you explained the package and for those clients that went for it, then I found myself explaining more about how it would work for on-going assistance because invariably that's what they would want after their package was done. It just became confusing.

The other problem I found is that it can be difficult to balance doing package work for a one time client versus your ongoing hourly clients. Who gets priority? Even though you have clients asking about packages, you have to be sure that it's what is right for you and your business and how you operate.

I agree with Tess that you could do a case by case basis but make sure you're covering your costs/rate per hour as well as build in what happens or how to charge for additional services or tasks requested.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Thank you Tess and Kimberly! I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to my question.

I did at one point had packages on my website but rarely got takers. So i thought maybe my packages were not well defined or expensive. It's so difficult to know.

Thanks Kimberly for letting me know that other VAs have had similar experience....let's me know I'm not alone in this area.

I will continue my research and take it case by case.

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Lisa Santos
www.lsvirtualassistant.com