Great info! Thanks!
Another newbie

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Devon Zimny
Vintage VA Services

Thank you for this information. Once again you all knock it out the park with this valuable information.

Originally Posted by Devonz

Great info! Thanks! Another newbie

I too have pre paid legal and I did not know that they handle things of this sort but I guess I should really read into it LOL but thanks for the info.

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Tyeshia Harper
Guardian Virtual Assistance

Great information... I better get started with my contract. I just spoke with a potential client today and I am excited!

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Rebecca Gleeck
www.ByYourSideVA.com

This is something I am definitely going to look into. I have used long service agreements for many simple tasks. This would be a much simpler approach while still appearing professional. Thanks!

Tess, thank you so much for this information. You have been very hopeful just reading your post from other people. I will be checking out these links and piecing something together. Thanks again.

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Tawana Randall
www.tnrbusinessservices.com

Hi Karen - Not sure if my prior PM when thru to you. So, here it is again. I have a prospective client I'm meeting with tomorrow at Noon and am in need of an agreement or contract. I'd like to be on the safe side and have one ready. I saw a posting where you offered to send someone copies of agreements and contracts you have. I'm also in Northern CA too - Placer County. Thanks!

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The Doctor's Rx
"The Doctor's Prescription for Success"

Originally Posted by AnnaLisa Michalski

Lisa, For my contract template, I cobbled together relevant parts of several sample contracts I found online at...oh geez...I think the site had a very obvious name like freelegalforms.com or something similar. You'll find that there are sections of the basic "contractor" form that don't apply to you (they are written for building contractors), so some editing will be necessary. You are welcome to borrow from my contracts if you like. I have a samples posted on my Web site, linked from the Rates and Services page. I don't think I can post my Web address here, but you'll find me easily enough if you Google my company name. That said, once you have a basic contract/letter of agreement/any legal form together, it is always advisable to run it by a lawyer with experience in contract law in your state, just to make sure. On the invoicing question, many VAs simply set up a detailed internal spreadsheet to keep records, then do a selective merge to prepare invoices for clients. This gives you plenty of flexibility and options for customization. I started with that, but currently I'm using a great little open source (FREE!!!) program that works just great for a very small business: Volutive. It takes a little experimenting to "get" how it works, but once you get the feel for this set-up, it's very easy to use. Check it out here.

Hi, These are great posts. I went to look at your site for a few ideas and couldn't quite find the samples you were talking about. Can you please help?

Thanks, Kirsten
SavvyBusinessSolutions

Originally Posted by Karen Mitchell

Hi peacefuldove1, I have a couple of contracts and agreements I am happy to share as they have been shared with me. PM me your email and I will forward them to you.

Hi Karen,
Are you still willing to share these samples?

Thanks so much
Kirsten

Great information everyone! To add a little more. If you would like to create an invoice there are a couple of different options offered through Microsoft.
1. Microsoft templates has many different invoice that you can download for free at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/te...s/default.aspx
2. Also if you have Microsoft 2007 Professional Suites you actually already have the Microsoft Office Accounting in with it. It is a seperate download. I ddin't know that I had it at first, but I do. If you know how to work Quick Books it is quite similar. I would not necessarly recommend this for businesses that are going to offer a lot of products, but for a service business it is great. If you do not have the Professional program you can download Microsoft Office Accounting Express from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...7574EC&display

Also with the Professional Suites you have Business Contact Manager (works with your Outlook) which is another great thing to have for our line of business. You can find more information about Business Contact Manager at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/co...674171033.aspx

3. Legal stuff, you can find great information at http://www.entrepreneur.com and http://www.nolo.com/ The Nolo site has a lot of great legal information, including contracts.

When I took Legal Business, the professor taught us to think of every possible situation (even the most obvious and stupid) and make sure they are covered in the contract. Most people will not sue, but if there is a loop hole, their lawyer will find it. So before you create your contract, write down every possible situation you can think of.

Good luck.

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.