Sometimes I think about creating packages instead of an hourly rate. For some services it is not that difficult, but I am struggling with for instance Personal Assistant services. What do you do? and if you are offering packages, how did you set them up?
Thanks,
Melisa

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Melissa E. Kemna
AMETHYST Office Support - The Support You Want When You Need It!

Originally Posted by VA Melissa

Sometimes I think about creating packages instead of an hourly rate. For some services it is not that difficult, but I am struggling with for instance Personal Assistant services. What do you do? and if you are offering packages, how did you set them up? Thanks, Melisa

I would like to piggyback on Melissa's post and ask Tess or Janine (I can't remember who did the book review) about package vs. hourly as suggested in "The Wealthy Freelancer." I find the package explanation in the book to be very sound and sensible. What are your thoughts/experiences?

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Collaborative Business Support

Thanks Peppy. N ow looking for the book, but would love to hear Tess or Janine about this.

Enjoy your day!

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Melissa E. Kemna
AMETHYST Office Support - The Support You Want When You Need It!

Thanks for starting this discussion, Melissa.

I feel the same as you. I can understand having packages for special projects, but how about a job as a virtual PA where the client as immediate access to you all the time and constantly asks you for assistance (like being a "real" PA sitting next to him )?

I personally feel that in that kind of situation, I would be better off charging him my hourly rates with maybe a discount after having spent xxx hours.

What is your opinion on this?

BR,

Stefanie

Hello,

I highly recommend that anyone who wishes to read more about setting up packages, purchase The Wealthy Freelancer or take the book out from their library. Here's my review on the book BOOK REVIEW - The Wealthy Freelancer

The problem with hourly is that it limits what you can earn as there are only so many hours in the day. Packaged services are always seen as a value to clients. Sometimes you can package a service and then switch to hourly if the client asks for more than what is offered in your service range.

Janine

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I agree with you both Stefanie and Janine. I think that I should offer a basic package and the extra on the hourly rate. Thanks for mentioning the book Janine, I read your review. It seems really interesting.

Have a lovely day!

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Melissa E. Kemna
AMETHYST Office Support - The Support You Want When You Need It!

Guess I'll have to buy the book then!
Thanks for the comment, Janine.

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Stefanie Fehse
Owner of One4All Executive Assistance

I definitely need to read this book to find out more, but here are my initial thoughts. I know a lot of VA's say that you should charge by the project and not by the hour, but I have found it really frustrating to have to tell my client that I will have to charge her more every time she wants something changed or outside of what was originally agreed upon. And I have to either do it for all of the little things or when it comes to the bigger things, she will expect it. I feel like I'm reminding her that I am costing her money and that I'm being petty. If I was charging her by the hour, she would know that extra work takes extra time. I wouldn't have to tell her, she would just see it on her invoice.

My new policy is that I have a standard hourly fee for most services. However, anything that requires design or research is charged by the project. That is mostly because I feel it is not something I do as quickly as others. I am a perfectionist when it comes to getting my facts straight and if a subject interests me, I may continue to research outside of what is actually necessary. I also spend a lot of time "tweaking" my designs and writing. It is just too hard for me to keep track of time spent on these types of projects, when the lines blur between what is essential to get the job done and what is just my own decision to keep going.

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Jennifer Simons - Girl Monday
www.girlmondaysf.com

Thanks for the link to the review. I am loving everything that the authors say in the book.

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Collaborative Business Support

I need to read the book too. I have looked at various options but couldn't decide.

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Rhonda