| There's been a bit of chat in the virtual assistant | | | | what should be included in my contract because, |
| world lately regarding contracts versus terms and | | | | although I had one at the time, it was nowhere |
| conditions and whether the formal approach of | | | | near watertight enough and I hadn't included things |
| issuing contracts actually puts off potential clients. | | | | I could charge for such as penalties for late |
| Some hold the opinion that published terms and | | | | payment and interest. If at the time I could have |
| conditions are enough and that displaying these on | | | | produced his signed contract accepting these |
| your web site or issuing them to new clients | | | | clauses, I could have been much more effective |
| should be sufficient. To an extent I agree that | | | | in collecting the debt before it went through the |
| issuing a 10 page contract to a new client who is | | | | whole legal process. After all, if you were |
| only looking to work with you for a few hours on | | | | presented in an option of pay the invoiced |
| a one-off project can seem a little over doing it. | | | | amount today, or in 7 days it will cost you 15% |
| Of course in this instance you should ask for | | | | more in penalties plus interest, wouldn't you pay |
| payment up front. But when it comes to long | | | | now? |
| term clients, a word of caution... | | | | I also now only accept clients on a pay up front |
| Several years ago I had my first non-payer. We | | | | basis and have never had any prospect or client |
| had worked together for several months and he | | | | comment or complain about this way of working. |
| had always paid on time. Then, over a period of a | | | | This in itself wont cover you completely as there |
| few months things slipped and he ended up owing | | | | are always the extra hours you may work over |
| me a couple of thousand pounds. When I had the | | | | and above what has been prepaid, and then of |
| audacity to ask when my invoices would be paid, | | | | course there are the expenses which can mount |
| his response proved that actually he no longer | | | | up. But, in general, it does prevent a similar |
| needed my services and was simply looking to | | | | situation from occurring again. |
| get as much work as possible from me for free | | | | In summary I would suggest you do both, get a |
| before the penny dropped with me that he was | | | | proper, legally binding contract in place AND |
| actually not intending to pay. The long and short | | | | charge your clients up front for the hours you will |
| of it was that I eventually got the money but it | | | | work for them. Contracts for both short term |
| was after a lengthy court process and a lot of | | | | 'Pay As You Go' clients and those on more long |
| stress. | | | | term 'Retainer' arrangements can be found at the |
| Lessons learned? I immediately took advice on | | | | VA Success Group. |