I am not recommending a ten page contract however; you must construct a legal, binding contract which protects not only your small business but the virtual assistant.

As a small business owner, you want your virtual assistant to be paid on time therefore; you must ensure that the legalities of payment are discussed in the business contract between your small business and the virtual assistant.  You also want to include in the contract any clauses pertaining to the possibility of your virtual assistant not completing business projects.  This will protect both of you from lengthy court processes and stress in the long run.

You need to ensure that the business contracts constructed are watertight.  The contract must include penalties for late payment on your part as well possible interest to be paid to the virtual assistant if you do not pay him or her on time.  These clauses will ensure the virtual assistant that you are not only protecting your small business but you are protecting him or her as well.

As you review the credentials of your new virtual assistant, you should in return show the virtual assistant your business credentials.  Credentials are not always foolproof but they are mandatory in the hiring process of a virtual assistant therefore, ensure that you check all credentials of the virtual assistant and allow the virtual assistant to check yours as well.  This will lay the foundation for a great professional relationship.

I would suggest that you construct a legally binding contract which you and your virtual assistant must sign.  You will want to carefully think of important things to add into the contract such as are you going to be a “pay as you go” client or are you going to “retain” the services of the virtual assistant.  Decide which one and place this into the contract.  If the services change at any time during this process, you can always update the contract or draw up a new one.

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