FlatTail Media

Reader Downloads

Everything that goes with The Business of Virtual Assistance — the workbook and every template. All of it is free.

No email required. Nothing here is gated. The optional updates form is at the very bottom if you want it.

Start here

Download the workbook, then read the orientation files. The workbook is one zip — the complete 134-lesson workbook (200+ pages).

ZIP
The Workbook — all 134 lessons
One download. The complete companion workbook where you build your business, part by part.
Tip: after downloading, right-click the file and choose Extract All before opening the pages. (No extra app needed — Windows and Mac both open .zip files on their own.)
Download .zip
PDF
Read-Me-First
How the book and workbook fit together, and how to use the templates.
Open
PDF
Program Disclaimer
The plain-language note on what this material is and isn't (not legal, tax, or financial advice).
Open
PDF
Glossary
The 47 key terms used across the book, defined in plain language.
Open

How the templates work

The templates below are view-only Google Docs and Sheets. You don't download or install anything — you save your own editable copy into your Google Drive:

  1. Click Make a copy next to any template.
  2. Sign in to your Google account if prompted, then choose Make a copy (File › Make a copy).
  3. The copy lands in your own Drive — edit it freely; the original stays untouched for everyone else.

Sheets (calculators and trackers) are marked. Everything is grayscale-safe, so it prints cleanly in black and white too.

Templates by Part

Grouped to match the 18 Parts of the book. (Parts 1, 4, and 18 have no templates — their work happens in the workbook.) Paste each Google "Make a copy" link into the marked button.

Part 2 — Capacity, Goals, and Fit 1 tool

SHT
Capacity & Rate Calculator
Corrected billable hours × rate = monthly gross, with the take-home gap noted. Google Sheet.
Make a copy

Part 3 — Skills and Readiness 1 tool

DOC
Skill Ladder
Place your skills as comfortable now, needs practice, or not yet.
Make a copy

Part 5 — Viability Checkpoint 1 tool

DOC
Five Viability Gates
Mark each gate go / revise / pause, then make the one decision.
Make a copy

Part 6 — Business Formation 1 tool

DOC
Formation Sequence Checklist
The six formation steps in order, each marked done / in progress / waiting (EIN last).
Make a copy

Part 7 — The Financial Foundation 1 tool

SHT
Annual Maintenance & Compliance Calendar
Each recurring obligation with its official source, date, reminder, and proof location. Google Sheet.
Make a copy

Part 8 — The Professional Relationship 3 tools

DOC
How I Work Policy
Plain-language policy: payment-before-work, late-payment pause, communication, AI, boundaries.
Make a copy
DOC
AI-Use Disclosure
One page: AI as assistant, what won't be entered without approval, the review standard.
Make a copy
DOC
Service Agreement Starter
Plain-language starter plus a contract-review checklist — not a ready-to-sign contract; consult an attorney.
Make a copy

Part 9 — Offers, Packages, and Pricing 1 tool

DOC
Starter Service Menu / Package Ladder
Your package ladder, the final starter menu, and the fit guide.
Make a copy

Part 10 — The Operating System 4 tools

DOC
Operating-System Map (nine regions)
What happens where as a lead moves through your business — a process map, not a software list.
Make a copy
DOC
Client Folder Structure Tree
The reusable per-client folder tree you copy for each new client, with least-access defaults.
Make a copy
SHT
Lead Tracker / Simple CRM
Leads with stage, source, next action, and date. Google Sheet.
Make a copy
DOC
Invoice
A simple invoice: line items, terms, due date, payment methods.
Make a copy

Part 11 — From Conversation to Client 7 tools

DOC
Client Problem Summary
Situation, the cost of the problem, and the items to confirm before quoting.
Make a copy
DOC
Package or Scope Recommendation
One right-sized package or scope from your menu, with the reason it fits.
Make a copy
DOC
Proposal
The document that recommends the offer (proposal recommends; quote prices).
Make a copy
DOC
Bounded Estimate / Quote
Scope, assumptions, exclusions, an approval point, a change-request line, and price.
Make a copy
DOC
Four-Document Pipeline Tracker
The fixed sequence: discovery, proposal/quote, contract, invoice, payment, intake. "Don't start on 'sounds good.'"
Make a copy
DOC
Client Intake & Access Request
The information you truly need before work begins, plus a least-access request tied to the approved scope.
Make a copy
DOC
Late-Payment Reminder Sequence
Friendly-to-firm reminders, including the one that names the pause date.
Make a copy

Part 12 — Onboarding and First Engagement 3 tools

DOC
Client Start Gate Checklist
The five-part gate that confirms a client is ready before any work begins.
Make a copy
DOC
Kickoff Summary
Written summary after the kickoff: scope, channels, first priorities.
Make a copy
DOC
Weekly Client Update
150 words or fewer: completed, in progress, hours used and remaining, any blocker or decision.
Make a copy

Part 13 — Brand and Public Presence 1 tool

DOC
Service Description
Problem-first description that sells the outcome over the task, with boundaries stated.
Make a copy

Part 14 — Marketing and Finding Clients 1 tool

DOC
Warm Outreach Message
Six-part warm message to your network: opening, what you do, who you help, a small ask, an easy out, a thank-you.
Make a copy

Part 15 — The Discovery Call 4 tools

DOC
Discovery Pre-Call Questionnaire
A short form a prospect answers before the call. Keep it short; no sensitive info pre-call.
Make a copy
DOC
Discovery Call Agenda
A simple agenda and opening — an agenda, not a script.
Make a copy
DOC
Objection Response Guide
Calm, non-discounting responses to common objections; reduce scope before price.
Make a copy
DOC
Post-Call Summary Email
Same-day recap: what you heard, the next step, and a date.
Make a copy

Part 16 — Managing Active Clients 2 tools

DOC
Monthly Summary
Monthly recap that makes value visible: hours, outcomes, what's next.
Make a copy
DOC
Offboarding + Testimonial/Referral Request
Clean offboarding close-out plus a truthful testimonial request and a plain referral ask.
Make a copy

Part 17 — Reviewing the Business 1 tool

SHT
Package Profitability / Effective Hourly Value
Net revenue ÷ all time (including unbilled) = effective hourly value, per package. Google Sheet.
Make a copy

Optional: get updates

Want to know when new FlatTail Media books or major updates come out? Drop your email. Updates only — no course pitches, no funnel, and never required to use anything above.

Occasional updates only. Unsubscribe in one click, anytime — we'll never share your email.