Creating Packages and Retainers for Steady Income
This post is all about how to create packages and retainers for virtual assistants that lead to consistent, steady income month after month.
When I first started out as a virtual assistant, one of the most stressful parts of the journey was not knowing how much money I’d be making each month. Sound familiar? One month I was overbooked, and the next I was scrambling for work. That’s when I discovered the power of creating structured packages and monthly retainers — and everything changed.
If you’ve been offering services in a piecemeal, one-off, or hourly way, this post is going to walk you through why packages and retainers are the key to building consistent income as a virtual assistant. You’ll learn how to design offers your clients love, price them properly, and create long-term relationships that give your business real staying power.
Let’s dig in.
Why Packages and Retainers are a Game-Changer
Let’s get one thing clear: trading your time for dollars in a totally open-ended way is a fast track to burnout. When you operate from a “client says jump, I say how high” model, you’ll quickly find yourself stretched thin, undervalued, and tired.
Packages and retainers flip that script.
They allow you to:
- Set boundaries with your time and energy
- Know exactly how much you’re earning each month
- Build predictable workflows and routines
- Deliver results more efficiently (and profitably)
When you switch to this model, you stop being just a task-taker and start stepping into your role as a service provider and business owner.
Types of Packages You Can Offer
Let’s break down some smart package structures that work beautifully for VAs at any level.
1. Task-Based Packages
These are perfect for newer VAs. You bundle together specific tasks and offer them as a flat-rate service.
Example: “Instagram Starter Pack” with 12 branded graphics, 12 captions, and a scheduler setup for $300.
These are easy to promote, simple to deliver, and give your client a quick win.
2. Outcome-Based Packages
You’re not just selling time — you’re selling results. These packages promise a transformation or end goal.
Example: “Inbox Zero” — where you audit and organize a client’s Gmail, create folders and filters, and respond to outstanding messages.
Clients love outcome-based offers because they understand the ROI immediately.
3. Tiered Packages
You’ve seen the Bronze / Silver / Gold model — and it works.
Each level offers more deliverables, more touchpoints, or faster turnaround times. This gives clients choices, and gives you room to upsell as they grow.
What About Retainers?
Retainers are monthly agreements where a client pays you a set amount to handle an ongoing set of services or a set number of hours.
This is ideal for clients who:
- Need the same tasks done each month
- Want guaranteed support without hiring full-time
- Value consistency and relationship over task-chasing
You’ll want to be clear on:
- What’s included (and what’s not)
- What the turnaround times are
- How much support they can expect from you weekly or monthly
What Should Be Included in Your Packages or Retainers?
A solid offer should always clearly lay out the following:
- Scope of work: What’s included, and what isn’t
- Deliverables: Tangible output, like “10 blog graphics” or “weekly inbox management”
- Deadlines: When things are due or turned in
- Communication: How clients can reach you and how often
- Terms: Payment due dates, refund policies, cancellation terms
This is where so many VAs go wrong — they keep it too vague and end up doing too much. Keep it tight, keep it clear.
Pricing Your Packages and Retainers
Here’s the truth: undercharging won’t help you get more clients — it’ll just lead to resentment and exhaustion.
Instead, try this approach:
- Start with your income goal
Example: You want to earn $5,000/month. You only want to work 4 clients. That means each client needs to be paying you around $1,250/month. - Break down the time commitment
Decide how many hours or deliverables that $1,250 includes. Make sure you build in buffer time for admin, revisions, or client calls.
Don’t forget value
It’s not just about your time. What you do creates real results. Charge for the value, not just the minutes.
Contracts and Boundaries (Yes, You Need These!)
Even if you’re just getting started, having a basic contract protects you and your client. Your contract should outline:
- The scope of work and delivery dates
- Payment details (amount, method, and due dates)
- Termination policy (how to cancel or pause)
- What happens if there are extra requests
This gives both parties peace of mind — and keeps your client experience professional from day one.
Promoting Your Packages
Once your offers are created, it’s time to get them out into the world. Here’s how:
- Website: Create a clean “Work With Me” page that explains each package and how to get started.
- Pinterest: Create visual pins for each service that link to your site.
- LinkedIn or IG: Share your availability each month and showcase the transformation clients get.
- Email list: If you have one, send out a simple “now booking” message with links to your packages.
Don’t be afraid to talk about your offers regularly — people need to see them multiple times before they’re ready to buy.
How to Shift Clients Into Retainers
If you’ve already done one-off projects with clients, it’s time to move them into something recurring.
You can say something like:
“I’ve loved working on [project]! I actually offer ongoing support packages for clients like you who want continued help with [tasks]. Would you like me to send over the details?”
The best time to offer a retainer is when the client has just seen a great result. Ride that momentum.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Let’s keep you from learning the hard way.
- Don’t charge hourly inside your packages — always go flat rate.
- Don’t overpromise — keep your scope clear and realistic.
- Don’t start without a contract — even friendly clients need structure.
Don’t wait too long to increase your prices — as you grow, your value grows too.
Final Thoughts
Creating structured packages and offering retainers isn’t just about income — it’s about confidence, clarity, and setting up a business you can actually sustain and scale.
If you’ve been struggling with unpredictable client flow or inconsistent paydays, now’s the time to set up your first real offers.
Curious how to further expand the growth of your business? Check out this blog post laying out multiple Business Model Ideas to Uplevel Your VA Business
This post shared how to create packages and retainers for virtual assistants so you can build steady income and sustainable success in your business.
