I am interested in learning more or hiring CouchSide. What’s the process like?

Thank you for considering us! We are excited to embark on this journey with you. Here's how our process unfolds:

• Discovery Call: To ensure a successful partnership, we offer a 30-minute consultation call with our founder, Nikki. This gives us the opportunity to connect, discuss your needs in detail, and determine if we're a great fit for each other. We’re eager to learn more about your goals and how we can provide the support you're looking for. To honor everyone's time, we ask that you kindly cancel or reschedule any discovery call appointments 24 hours prior to their start time.

• Agreement: After our initial call, we will prepare a clear and concise contract that outlines our working relationship, confidentiality, and any other relevant terms. Transparency and open communication are key!

• Let's Get Started: Once we've agreed on the proposal, you've signed the contract, and provided payment, it's time to dive in! We'll hit the ground running, utilizing our skills, expertise, and attention to detail to ensure a seamless and efficient experience. Rest assured that we’re committed to delivering exceptional results and exceeding your expectations.

Will I be stuck in a contract?

Yes and no. We fully comprehend and appreciate the distinctive requirements of both individuals and businesses. At the beginning of each month, we kindly request that you commit to a specific package or hourly rate that will be valid until the end of that particular month. Prior to the commencement of a new month, we will proactively reach out to you to discuss and accommodate any desired modifications to your package. This allows for optimal flexibility and ensures that you have the freedom to adjust your services as needed. Beyond this monthly commitment, there are no long-term obligations or constraints.

Can I carry over unused hours in a package?

No. Any unused hours at the end of the month cannot be carried over for the following month or refunded. To ensure a seamless experience, we suggest considering the hourly package or opting for a lower hourly package for your initial month. This approach allows for greater flexibility and ensures that you have ample time to gauge your specific needs accurately. Should you find that the estimated hours are insufficient, we will promptly discuss the matter with you before proceeding further. Any additional hours beyond the chosen package will be billed at the standard hourly rate.

Can I tell you what hours to work?

No. We offer a flexible work schedule that caters to the unique needs of each project and task. As independent contractors, we prioritize delivering high-quality results, and this may involve working outside of traditional working hours when necessary. By not adhering to a rigid schedule, we can ensure that your projects receive the attention and dedication they deserve, regardless of the time frame. To ensure a smooth workflow and timely delivery of your tasks or projects, we kindly request that you inform us of any specific deadlines in advance. This allows us to assess our assistants’ availability and provide you with clear communication regarding our ability to meet the deadline.

How will I know you worked the hours I paid for?

That's an excellent question! Transparency and accountability are paramount in our services. Upon request, you have the option of receiving a reference sheet generated by our reliable time tracker app. This sheet provides a detailed breakdown of the time dedicated to your specific projects, ensuring complete visibility and clarity.

When do I get billed and what forms of payment do you accept?

Please see specific billing under each service section below. For clients who continue to work with us each month, your invoice for the upcoming month will be automatically sent at the end of the month, with payment requested prior to the new month starting.

Private Practice Therapist Support and Administrative Support Packages require payment at the time your package is selected. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in your assistant’s schedule. Clients requesting hourly rates will be required to pay for the required 5-hour minimum at the start of the month and be billed at the end of the month for the remaining hours. Prorated rates will be available for new clients opting for a monthly package. Any additional agreed-upon work required outside of the package will be invoiced upon completion of the month, billed at our hourly rate.

Social Media Management and Pinterest Management Packages require payment at the time your package is selected. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in your assistant’s schedule for planning purposes for your specific package. Any additional agreed-upon work required outside of the package will be invoiced upon completion of the month, billed at our hourly rate.

Search Engine Optimization Packages require payment at the time your package is selected. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in your assistant’s schedule for planning purposes for your specific package. Any additional agreed-upon work required outside of the package will be invoiced upon completion of the month, billed at our hourly rate.

Graphic Design, Branding, and Marketing Services and Packages require either a deposit or full payment (depending on the service) at the time your service/package is selected. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in our design team’s schedule. Any additional agreed-upon work required outside of the package will be invoiced upon completion of the month, billed at our hourly rate. *The hourly rate may differ for graphic design work.

Website Development, Design, Creation, and Maintenance require a non-refundable 50% deposit prior to the commencement of the work. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in your assistant’s schedule. We will provide you with an estimate of cost and the deposit will go towards that. If fewer hours are needed, you will have less money to pay at your final payment. If we suspect more time is needed, we will discuss this with you and you will be responsible for paying upon project completion. Clients who ask for ongoing website revisions will be asked to pay for a monthly retainer.

Mobile App Development requires a non-refundable 50% deposit prior to the commencement of the work. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in your assistant’s schedule. We will provide you with an estimate of cost and the deposit will go towards that. If fewer hours are needed, you will have less money to pay at your final payment. If we suspect more time is needed, we will discuss this with you and you will be responsible for paying upon project completion.

Business Consulting and Coaching require payment at the time your package is selected. This upfront payment secures your hours for the month in your assistant’s schedule for planning purposes for your specific package. Any additional agreed-upon work required outside of the package will be invoiced upon completion of the month, billed at our hourly rate. Clients who ask for ongoing consultation or coaching will be asked to pay for a monthly retainer.

Once an invoice is generated, you will receive it promptly via e-mail. All clients will also be set up in our free online portal for a more streamlined process. This allows us to provide you with a comprehensive summary of the services rendered during that period. We kindly request payment upon receipt. You can review the invoice details and conveniently settle the amount in the portal or through an e-mail link. To encourage timely payments, we have a policy in place for outstanding balances. Any balance not paid within 14 business days of the invoice being sent will incur a 5% late fee for the total amount. Any additional work requested will be temporarily put on hold until the outstanding balance is paid in full. Once the payment is received, we will resume delivering the outstanding service you deserve. If there is a pattern of recurrent late payments on two occasions, we reserve the right to reevaluate our working relationship. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, consistent late payments can disrupt the workflow and compromise the level of service I aim to provide.

How do I know what package to pick for administrative support?

The choice of the package that best suits your needs depends on your budget, and the amount of time you require assistance. We highly recommend evaluating your budgetary constraints and for more routine administrative tasks, keeping a close track of the time you spend on tasks you may want to delegate. A helpful approach is to estimate the duration of activities, for instance, "I allocate an additional hour every day to review my emails." Many of our clients begin with an hourly rate and then reassess their requirements after the first month. You have the flexibility to modify your package before the commencement of a new month, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your evolving needs. This especially helps during slower periods like the summer months. Our rates and hours are the typical starting prices for 1-5 person practices.

What package is best for a one-time project or task?

If you require assistance with a one-time project, we are more than happy to provide you with a cost estimate tailored to your specific needs. It's worth noting that many individuals often find it beneficial to opt for an hourly rate, as it allows for greater flexibility and ensures that you only pay for the actual time spent on the project. However, we will work closely with you to determine the most suitable pricing arrangement that aligns perfectly with your requirements and provides you with the best value for your investment.

Will you keep me posted throughout the website creation, development, and design?

Absolutely! Your satisfaction and vision for your website are our top priorities. Throughout the design process, we will collaborate closely with you to gain a comprehensive understanding of your goals and preferences. We want to ensure what we are creating aligns perfectly with your expectations and fulfills your desired vision. Your feedback and input are invaluable, and together, we will create a website that truly reflects your vision and exceeds your expectations. We do not create websites that prohibit you from making edits in the future.

What is the average cost for a new website?

The investment for our website creation services typically falls within the range of $1,200 to $2,000, tailored to meet the unique needs and complexity of each project. It's important to note that this price does not include any additional fees associated with acquiring a custom domain name, should you require one, nor does it cover the ongoing monthly or annual subscription cost for websites hosting your website, such as Squarespace or paid templates you would like me to use. These additional expenses will be discussed and addressed separately based on your specific requirements.

How do I know what social media package to pick?

The choice of the package that best suits your needs depends on your budget, social media experience, and how much time you want back. We highly recommend evaluating your budgetary constraints and keeping close track of the time you spend on social media-related content. You have the flexibility to modify your package before the commencement of a new month, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your evolving needs.

I am new to social media, what package should I get?

For individuals who are venturing into social media for the first time and have little experience in content creation, we recommend considering the basic package. This package is designed to provide comprehensive support and guidance tailored to beginners, ensuring a smooth and successful start to your social media journey. If you already have some familiarity with social media platforms and have created content in the past, but are seeking fresh and innovative ideas to enhance your online presence, we suggest exploring our reels-only package or our enhanced/ultimate packages. These options are specifically designed to provide you with a constant stream of creative inspiration and engaging content strategies, helping you stand out and captivate your audience.

I didn’t use the social media content you sent me, can I get a refund?

Due to the nature of our services, refunds are not available. You are encouraged to post any unused posts or reels at a later date. As a commitment to delivering high-quality work and dedicating time and effort to each project, we bill based on the work completed and the service package requested. We strive to provide exceptional service and ensure your satisfaction with the deliverables. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the billing process or the progress of the work, please feel free to discuss them with us, and we will be more than happy to address them.