Hi VA Peers,

I need some help determining the best arrangement.

I am expanding my services for the new year to include complete web design services, including graphic design as well as content writing.

I have arranged a deal with my web designer who will complete the graphic design aspect of it (she is awesome-please excuse my current site, new one will be up by the end of the week).

Now, here is the problem. I am trying to structure this deal to achieve the following:
A) A fair deal for the both of us
B) Proper compensation for my acquisition of the client
C) Assurance of payment
D) A way to assure that after work is satisfactory, new clients will not be referred directly to her, but back to me, since I'm doing all of the marketing and deal closing.

I believe that I have A-C solved, by maybe subcontracting to her with all payments for work being received by my company.
D is the harder issue. I would like her to get credit for her work....it's her creativity. However, I would also like to receive credit for my marketing/advertising/sales and customer service to the client. Though I would like to disclose her company's name, I am very nervous that my marketing efforts will funnel new business directly to her without compensation for my efforts.

I would like us to both benefit here, while still protecting my investment. Can any of my wise peers help me out here?

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www.lloydbusinesssolutions.com
"Getting you back to what you do best"

Tomekia - You need to sign an agreement with your partner, outlining the details. Once you've done that, and if you basically trust her as a friend, you can relax. You shouldn't really be in competition anyway since you don't do web design, right?

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Right. She'll be my exclusive designer for my clients as part of a complete package.

I actually got the same answer from my client, who is a Construction Contractor.

Thanks

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www.lloydbusinesssolutions.com
"Getting you back to what you do best"

I'm in a similar situation. I do all of the "up front, person-to-person" contacts and he does the design work. We have arranged a percentage deal that works for both of us.

If the client comes into this partnership through me it is my client and I am the only contact they know. If the client comes through him they know me only as his "contact person" and the client remains his.

We've worked with two clients so far and its worked out quite well. Each new client will be reviewed on an individual basis.

Carol

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CJ's Virtual Business Solutions
www.cjvbs.com

Hi Carol,

That sounds fair. So, when the client comes through you, do they know who the designer is? Does he tag the work with his company's name?

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www.lloydbusinesssolutions.com
"Getting you back to what you do best"