A client has invited me to attend a 3 day private mastermind retreat as her guest. It's an excellent opportunity for me to meet potential new clients and learn invaluable info for my own business. She knows this and is likely looking for me to give a decent discount (and I am perfectly ok with that.) Just curious to know how some of you would bill for this time? Thanks for the input!

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Jennifer Luna

Hi Jennifer,

My rule is not to compromise my rates when I am working for a client. My time is valuable and could be spent working on another client's work at full rate.

With that said, I am not sure if a mastermind group is considered 'work for the client'. A mastermind group would be IMO something which would be for my benefit and not for the client. So I am not sure if I would charge a rate at all.

Now if you will be working for the client in the mastermind group, although I am not sure how that would work, I would still charge my full rate. Again, it is my time used toward the client account.

Whether you meet other potential clients, I don't feel should be a part of the equation. I may happen, it may not happen. If you do receive a referral at the mastermind for a new client, then you could give your current client a referral discount, say 10% off her next bill. But I wouldn't undercut my rate with the hope of meeting new clients through my current client.

I'm afraid I don't have an opinion on the discount. I wouldn't do it unless there is more to this arrangement than I can determine.

Janine

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I like Janine do not have a firm opinion on this without more details. However I have a friend and colleague that went on a retreat with a client (it was a bring a friend for free offer). She went not as her VA but to learn what strategies her client would learn and possibly incorporate into her business. The VA told me that she not only learned tons of valuable business building lessons but also got many quality leads.

I would first determine if you are going as her VA or not. Then make the determination based on fees after knowing whether this will be a working trip or business building venture.

Either way I hope that it turns out to be a prosperous adventure for you.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Thanks for the opinions, ladies! Much appreciated.

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Jennifer Luna