I'm just starting out too and decided to go with just an hourly rate for now since I don't have any clients. I've been reading a lot about VA's who prefer to charge in blocks of time. Those of you that charge blocks, if time isn't used it's non refundable right?

Also, since I'm just starting out, is it advisable to also include packages that include blocks of time or should I just stick to an hourly rate for now?

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Paulette R.
Romero Communications

Paulette,

I do not have a yearly contract and I have not come across that request in the six years I have been in business.

The retainer contracts run for as long as they can. (I am not referring to a project contract which typically has a start and an end time.)

Sometimes a client thinks they need you forever and then they won't. Sometimes a client will stay on for a few years. So by keeping the contract open (without a close date), leaves the door open to stay with the VA as long as they desire or as long as the VA will have them.

I just terminated a contract with a client who had been with me for over a year for not keeping the minimum 2 hours per week although I tried to work with him and let many weeks go without that minimum.

But as Lily says, keeping a termination clause in the contract allowing for 30 days is the best practice for a number of reasons:

• It allows the VA to use the deposit toward the last month's work so she/he doesn't need to bill again.
  
• It allows the client time to find another VA if they wish.
  
• It allows the VA to look for a replacement client.
  
• It is just plain good manners to give someone 30 days notice.

Janine

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Need clients? Use code RFP20 @ VAF store checkout for 20% off The RFP Transformation!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with these "open" contracts, I see a very large drawback. If the VA wants to raise rates, during the period that you are contracted with an "open" client, you have eliminated the possibility of raising that client's (or, those clients') rates during the life of the contract. Would it not be in the VA's best interest to have contracts expire on dates certain, so that she/he has the opportunity to increase fees?

A 30-day termination clause in the contract means you can give a client notice that you will be cancelling the contract due to an upcoming rate change. This gives them a heads-up about the rate increase and the option of renewing under the new contract rate or cancelling your services. If they are happy with the service they receive, there shouldn't be a problem. If they don't want to pay a reasonable rate increase, they are not your 'perfect' client anyway...

HI, this thread is awesome! Can someone help me as well? I have an author who is a new client and I've been working with her for a couple of weeks. She initially contracted me out to do 4 hours per week. Now, due to the fact that she needs me to also create press releases as well and submissions, she states that I can bill her for whatever hours I do that are over the initial 4 hours. I'm charging her an hourly rate and I expect the project to last until approx. March or so. But I'm having a problem keeping track of my time, etc. I feel like I'm loosing being that I'm something like a "personal assistant". I'm corresponding with her on a regular basis(in which I'm not logged into myhours.com to log hours). She was referred to me by a previous client so I did not provide her with a contract before the start of the project......Also, she was late with the first payment after invoice was sent to her so I'm trying not to go over the 4 hours because of concerns with payment....Can anyone help please? How can I calculate my time with her better? This project includes, calling bookstores, magazines, speaking venues, etc. for signings and speaking engagements. Scheduling them, following up, etc. Also, creating press releases and submitting. She's also stated that she would be needing me to send her promotional press kits to various radio stations and venues as well.

Help!

Originally Posted by nekiwa07

HI, this thread is awesome! Can someone help me as well? I have an author who is a new client and I've been working with her for a couple of weeks. She initially contracted me out to do 4 hours per week. Now, due to the fact that she needs me to also create press releases as well and submissions, she states that I can bill her for whatever hours I do that are over the initial 4 hours. I'm charging her an hourly rate and I expect the project to last until approx. March or so. But I'm having a problem keeping track of my time, etc. I feel like I'm loosing being that I'm something like a "personal assistant". I'm corresponding with her on a regular basis(in which I'm not logged into myhours.com to log hours). She was referred to me by a previous client so I did not provide her with a contract before the start of the project......Also, she was late with the first payment after invoice was sent to her so I'm trying not to go over the 4 hours because of concerns with payment....Can anyone help please? How can I calculate my time with her better? This project includes, calling bookstores, magazines, speaking venues, etc. for signings and speaking engagements. Scheduling them, following up, etc. Also, creating press releases and submitting. She's also stated that she would be needing me to send her promotional press kits to various radio stations and venues as well. Help!

I use a basic excel timesheet to track client time. since I'm always on my computer, this means I don't have to go anywhere else to track it...

Caroline,
If you are offering one off service such as bookkeeping, you can charge per transaction. But the bad side to that is how will you know how many transactions their are before taking the offer. So this makes it hard to set a per transaction rate which will cover your expenses and keep you happy..

Janine,
Your right if their are mixed services, it does become hard, however only you can know since your going to put the time in

Regards

I am a newbie as well and keep going back and forth on how to price my services. I provide paralegal services, specialty is litigation and trial preparation. However, with paralegal services it is tough to give an hourly rate given the complexity of different projects. Any advice from other virtual paralegals out there would be greatly appreciated.

I use Toggl (toggl.com - free for the basic account). You just login and type what you're doing then hit start. If you forget you can manually enter your time afterwards too. You can pull weekly reports to find your total time per client and even integrate it with accounting software to be able to pull invoices.

Very useful information in this thread. Has given me something to think about. In regards to packages/hourly/retainers.