A virtual assistant is like a personal secretary. They provide customer support, write, answer calls, transcribe, do research, etc. They basically work at home and communicate with their Employer through the Internet or through phone. One method many companies take to maximize the likelihood of having a positive experience in retaining a virtual assistant is by going through a virtual staffing agency. These virtual staffing agencies operate similarly to conventional staffing agencies. When setting up the structure of a virtual assistant business, the owner must decide how he or she will collect the money earned for the services performed.
Traditional Invoicing/Net 30 Days If the virtual assistant does a lot of work for larger corporate clients, she may find that her clients will only do business with her if she extends Net 30 Day terms. With this arrangement, the virtual assistant will issue an invoice at the specified time periods or at the end of a project, whatever is agreed to prior to starting the project.
Traditional Invoicing/Due Upon Receipt Issuing the purchase order or having an agreement where the terms are Due Upon Receipt will help the virtual assistant to get paid much quicker. Just like Net 30 Day terms, the virtual assistant will send an invoice at specified times or at the end of the project and wait for the company to send a check.
Credit Card Payment The virtual assistant can set-up a merchant account and collect payment from the client using a credit card. An invoice will usually still need to be given to the client, but payment can be processed immediately at specified times. The virtual assistant can keep the clients credit card number on file and charge it as soon as a project is completed and the invoice is approved. Credit card payments can also be processed through PayPal without setting-up a merchant account.
Retainer Many virtual assistants collect a retainer from their clients. Often a discount is given when the client agrees to a certain number of hours of work per month charged if it is used or not. Since the client has already paid, they will most likely use the time, however, this is a nice way for the VA to estimate how much he or she will work in a month because the client as already committed to a certain number of hours.
A Minnesota Retainer Agreement for Virtual Assistant Services is a comprehensive document that outlines the terms and conditions governing the relationship between a virtual assistant (VA) and a client based in Minnesota. This legally binding contract ensures clarity and protection for both parties involved in the arrangement. The agreement begins by providing a detailed description of the VA services being offered, such as administrative support, social media management, email handling, research, scheduling, and more. It emphasizes the commitment of the VA to perform these services efficiently and professionally, aiming to meet the client's requirements and expectations. Keywords: Minnesota Retainer Agreement, Virtual Assistant Services, VA services, administrative support, social media management, email handling, research, scheduling. Furthermore, the agreement specifies the payment structure and scheduling. It mentions the retainer fee, which is a predetermined amount paid upfront by the client to secure the VA's availability. The retainer fee is subtracted from the total monthly invoiced hours at an agreed-upon hourly rate, ensuring the VA's timely compensation for the services rendered. Keywords: payment structure, retainer fee, monthly invoiced hours, hourly rate. Additionally, the agreement addresses the issue of confidentiality. It highlights the importance of maintaining client information and trade secrets in strict confidence. The VA agrees not to disclose any sensitive information obtained during the course of their work, ensuring data protection and maintaining the client's trust. Keywords: confidentiality, client information, trade secrets, data protection. The agreement also covers the scope of work, outlining the specific tasks and responsibilities to be performed by the VA. It mentions the expected deliverables, deadlines, and the timeline or duration of the retainer agreement. Keywords: scope of work, tasks, responsibilities, deliverables, deadlines, timeline. Regarding termination and dispute resolution, the agreement provides clauses to protect both parties. It includes provisions for early termination of the retainer agreement, specifying the notice period required by either party. In case of conflicts or disputes, it outlines the preferred methods of resolution, such as mediation or arbitration, to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. Keywords: termination, dispute resolution, notice period, conflicts, mediation, arbitration, litigation. Different types of Minnesota Retainer Agreements for Virtual Assistant Services may exist, tailored to specific industries or niche markets. For instance: 1. Minnesota Retainer Agreement for Real Estate Virtual Assistant Services: This type of agreement focuses on VA services related to real estate, including lead generation, property research, client communication, MLS administration, and other tasks specific to the real estate industry. 2. Minnesota Retainer Agreement for E-commerce Virtual Assistant Services: Geared towards e-commerce businesses, this agreement emphasizes VA services related to online store management, order processing, inventory management, customer service, and other e-commerce-specific tasks. 3. Minnesota Retainer Agreement for Creative Virtual Assistant Services: Tailored for creative professionals such as graphic designers, writers, or photographers, this agreement highlights VA services related to project management, client communication, portfolio organization, research, and other creative industry-specific tasks. 4. Minnesota Retainer Agreement for Social Media Virtual Assistant Services: This agreement is designed for VA's offering social media management services, including content creation, scheduling, engagement, analytics tracking, and other tasks pertaining to social media platforms. By utilizing a comprehensive Minnesota Retainer Agreement for Virtual Assistant Services, clients and VA's can establish a clear and mutually beneficial working relationship, ensuring the smooth execution of tasks, protection of sensitive information, and a foundation built on trust and professionalism.
