“Can I pay you after the work is done?” 😳

You found an ideal client. The initial call went amazing. They loved your proposal. They didn't blink an eye at your fees. And you have a start date.

Then you hear what every VA hates to hear at the start of a new relationship.

“Can I pay you after the work is done?” building trust with new clients

If you’re a VA who bills on retainer, you’ve heard this before - from clients who don’t understand the risk you take.

But let's be real - they take a risk, too.

A potential client recently asked me: “How do I safely pay a VA I just met, without getting scammed and without making them feel like I don’t trust them?”

And honestly? It’s a great question.

I’m an advocate for my VA girlies all day, every day. I scream from the top of the digital mountain:

• Retainer > hourly

• Upfront > post-pay

• Clarity > chaos

But I also get that trust works both ways.

Just like VAs have horror stories of ghost clients and payment reversals, clients have been burned by service providers who ghost, miss deadlines, or never deliver.

The simple tool I recommend to both sides, especially when it’s the first time working together:

Use Fiverr. [or any platform like it - Upwork, Bonsai, Honeybook, Contra, Toptal]

Yes, even if you’re not offering gigs to the general public. Here’s why it works:

💳 Escrow protects both sides

The client pays upfront, but the funds are held securely by Fiverr until the work is delivered and approved. That way, the VA knows they’re getting paid, and the client knows they’re not throwing money into the void.

🛡 No more chargeback BS

VAs are out here doing the work, sending the files, and then getting hit with PayPal reversals. It’s happening. It’s frustrating. And it’s avoidable. Fiverr adds that extra layer of protection, once it’s approved and released, it’s done.

📄 Built-in contracts and receipts

Fiverr lets you spell out the scope, deadline, and expectations clearly in writing. No guesswork, no “but I thought…” Just mutual agreement and peace of mind.

🎯 It sets the tone for a real working relationship

Using a platform like Fiverr helps establish trust without either party having to explain themselves or feel awkward about asking for money upfront. It’s clean. It’s professional. It’s fair.

💫 Bonus: While you’re doing the work, you’re also building a portfolio on the platform, proof you can show off to future clients.

If you're a VA and you're nervous to ask for upfront payment, or if you're a client unsure how to protect your investment, this is your bridge.

Use the tools that work for both of you.

Boundaries are not just protection. They’re structure.

And structure builds trust.

You deserve to get paid.

They deserve to feel safe paying you.

Platforms like Fiverr helps make that possible, especially with those first few gigs.

💡I help women make money from their existing skills by building a profitable Virtual Assistant business.

💡Inside my Skool community, Do The Boring Work, I share the exact steps and strategies I’ve used to land clients for 15 years. My favorite clients to work with own blue & pink collar businesses.

You don't have to figure out all this stuff alone! 

https://www.skool.com/dotheboringwork

Stay Curious, Stay Connected,

💫 Chastity

Do the Boring Work is a community for women ready to turn their transferable skills into a profitable Virtual Assistant business. Whether you’ve worked in corporate, retail, health, food service, etc., your skills can support businesses that need help. Flexible hours, steady income, working from anywhere, it all sounds great, but most aspiring VAs get stuck before they start. We work on real, actionable steps to build your business. Inside you'll learn tactics to land clients, price your services confidently and generate income.