Hi,

I just got my first client and I'm trying to put together a simple contract/agreement for it and am using the Agreement for VA Services that was free from this site. I'm just wondering, with the exception of a few minor changes, is this agreement enough?

For some reason I'm really hung up on the "contract" part of my business and just want to make sure my bases are covered, you know?

Thanks for the help!

First, congratulations on your first client! Woo hoo! To be perfectly honest, I didn't use a contract with my first two clients. When my third one said, "I assume you have a contract or agreement of some sort?" I gulped and said, "Yes!" And then I created one on the spot, lol.

I've never bought a form anywhere to use. The free forms here and other places are usually enough to get started, and nothing says that you can edit and change your agreement as necessary!

You'll find as your business grows and evolves, that you'll need to update your forms, etc. I've been in business now for just over two years and just revamped my agreement for the third time. :-)

Good luck!

~R

__________________
Learn how to create your own Membership Site!
http://www.DIYMemberships.com

Congrats on getting your first client. I think that the free contract on this site is sufficient with a few minor tweaks to tailor it for your specific needs. I would also suggest a non-disclosure agreement along with your contract. I think you should be able to find one on here as well.

Take Care

__________________
Trena Stubbs of Apex Virtual Solutions
& Author of The Road to Going Virtual

First off - CONGRATS on your first client!! Way to go.

Secondly, to answer your question, the free contract on this site should be quite sufficient in conjunction with a confidentiality agreement. (Given the nature of what we do, a confidentiality is very important.)

My service agreement is a mixture of info from the VAF contract and a contract I have used in the past with other service businesses. I choose to have everything in one agreement (contract and confidentiality agreement). You are welcome to view my contract and use any portions of it or the contract in its entirety. (Link to PDF Version)

Hope this helps,

Julie

__________________
Julie | Virtual Resource Services, Inc (VRSI)
http://www.vrsioffice.com

Congratulations on your first client. I'm new to the VA business also, and to this forum. I found this thread helpful so thanks for starting it.

And Julie, thanks for posting your contract. I'm going to check out the free forms also, but yours was pretty thorough.

Julie
The Legal Support Advantage

__________________
Julie Krider
The Legal Support Advantage

Thank you so much! I feel so much better knowing that I'm starting off on the right foot! I appreciate your feedback!

Julie, thanks for so generously sharing our contract with us! It helps to know what other VAs are doing! Thanks!

__________________
Melissa, The Golden Rule VA
"Creative Virtual Assistance for Direct Sales Superstars!"

Yes, thank you Julie for posting your contract. I've just downloaded yours and the forms from the start up packet on this site. I like that the confidentiality agreement and the contract are in the same document.
Kim

Congratulations on your first client!!

It might be the type of business I'm in (transcription is pretty much all I do) and/or the type of businesses I work with (mostly medium to large corporations), but I have two one-page documents and no welcome packet. I have a one-page agreement that includes a non-disclosure/privacy paragraph, and a rates and information sheet that I reference in the agreement. After I am "hired," I send a thank you note. This year I'm starting a new thing where I send a thank you note on the anniversary date of when we started working together.

__________________
Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in the Richmond, Virginia area
The Perfect Word Transcription Services

I was thinking of this same thing. The client I have now, is taking advantage of the things I didn't know and that aren't in writing. The site is a great tool. I'm learning so much!