How To Create A Strong Legal Foundation For Your Virtual Assistant Business

Disclaimer: I am not offering legal advice. Always seek independent legal counsel from an attorney or certified legal professional who can advise you on how best to create a virtual assistant contract for your business.

It's no secret that creating and knowing what to put in a virtual assistant (VA) contract is overwhelming! If you're starting your online business journey, you might not know everything that needs to go into a contract and what potential problems you might have if you create it without the proper elements. 

What Is A Virtual Assistant Contract

A virtual assistant contract is a contract that describes the working relationship for a party that works remotely for a small business owner. 

Why You Need A Virtual Assistant Contract

The reason you need to use a VA contract is simple – it sets clear expectations and confirms that both parties understand and agree with these expectations. The terms of the contract set out the scope and expectations of the relationship for all parties, and it is the first line of defense if there is a dispute. It protects you and your client, especially if either of you decides to end the client relationship. If a client refuses to sign a virtual assistant contract, that is not a business relationship you want. 

What Elements Belong In A Virtual Assistant Contract

• Payment terms

• Services to be completed

• Hours worked

• Holidays and how to manage sickness

• Termination of contract

• Clauses

• Rights and responsibilities of the virtual assistant

• Anything else deemed essential such as confidentiality clauses, restrictive covenants, choice of law clauses

• Concrete deliverables

I didn't create my virtual assistant contract. I started using Dubsado pretty early in my business, so by the time I got my first independent client (I've worked within two agencies), the template contract in Dubsado had all of the elements required for a virtual assistant contract. I added what I needed to fit the needs of my business. If you want to start a free trial with Dubsado and see what it's like, I encourage you to do so. With Dubsado, you won't have to pay a fee until you get to your 4th client - the first three are free. You can use my code - skyrocket- and receive 20% off your first month or 20% off if you pay for the year in total. 

 If you're not ready for Dubsado and need a contract, I recommend using the one available from Virtual Assistant Savvy in their VA Toolbox.