Tip #13: Type up the Productivity Plan for the client. Include the tools that will be needed (that you know of at this point) and customize your IC agreement.

Productivity Plan:

• Go, point-by-point, through what was discussed during your conversation with the client and type that up into your Productivity Plan

EXAMPLE:

Client Concern #1:
I don’t even have time to read all my e-mail, let alone respond!

My Productivity Solution:
I will provide e-mail services for you (using GoToMyPC to access your computer) by reviewing your business e-mail, sending responses when appropriate or discussing them with you when we speak at least once a day.

Estimated time:
2 hours per week
(Note to you: This will depend on factors unique to that client, her business, how many e-mails she gets, etc.)

• Make it clear what/how you can do for the client
• Make it clear what tools the client needs to provide in order to make the PLAN work
• Include a few testimonials (borrow my general ones about VAs until you get some of your own) at the bottom of each page to keep reminding the client of your value and how smart he/she is to hire you!

You might be asking yourself…What if I don’t know what to provide/do/include in the plan? RESEARCH. Ask those willing to help you. The IVAANet listserve is an absolutely amazing group of VAs…join International Virtual Assistants Association (there are a TON of reasons to join!)…post your question…I bet you’ll get an answer.

Tools:

Throughout the Productivity Plan, you’ve included the tools that will be needed to make the plan work…such as GoToMyPC. List those again in this section. You can say something like:

There are certain tools you will need to provide me to make my services to you as productive as possible. Other tools may be needed as I become more familiar with your business and your needs:

• GoToMyPC (for remote access to your computer so that I can login to your system)
Access to your online database (login and password information) Access to your voicemail system (number and password so that I can check your messages for you) Etc…

NOTE: Your client is responsible for paying for these tools (if there’s a fee involved)…like to subscribe to GoToMyPC. That is NOT your responsibility…remind them that they can write it off as a business expense!

Your Independent Contractor Agreement:

Fill in the client’s information, of course. Decide and fill in your available days, hours, etc. And, of course, you’ll need to decide about your…RATE. Don’t just say to yourself…Well, since I made $15/hour at my last job, I’ll just charge $15/hour now…Remember, YOU have to pay your own taxes now, your own expenses, etc.

Here are a few tips/rules about VA rates:

1. Your rate will depend on:

• Services provided (Data entry – maybe $15/hour vs. Graphic design – starting at $40/hour)


• Length of time in the business


• Your area/location

2. You can charge:

• By the hour (I recommend this for most VA services)


• By the project (graphic design, writing, etc.)


• By the page/item (web design, mailings, etc.)


• Meeting/event planning (percentage of the event profit)


• Monthly retainer (some VAs offer a 5-10% discount if a client will guarantee so many hours per month and/or if they’ll pay a monthly retainer – i.e. a set amount)

3. From my research, I found that the average VA who offers a wide variety of services (from data entry and then higher skill-level services) charges between $20-$30 per hour depending on length of time as a VA AND where they’re located. Some say to double what you were making at your last job to account for taxes and expenses.