Questions? Good. Here are the answers.
Everything you need to know about working with Control Alt Completed - before you even pick up the phone.
Getting Started
Getting started Do I need to know exactly what I need before I get in touch? Not at all. Most people come to the Discovery Call with a general sense that something isn't working - they're overwhelmed, their inbox is out of control, their CRM is a mess - but no clear idea of what the solution looks like. That's exactly what the call is for. We work it out together. What happens on the Discovery Call? It's a relaxed 30-minute conversation - no agenda to prepare, no sales pitch. We talk about your business, where you're spending your time, and what's not working. At the end you'll have a clear picture of whether my services are the right fit, and I'll follow up with a written proposal within 24 hours. How quickly can we get started? Once the Services Agreement is signed and the first invoice is paid, we can typically start within one week. I'll send a welcome email with everything you need to prepare, and we'll complete a detailed briefing before I touch anything in your business. Do you take on all types of business? I work with small and medium-sized businesses across a wide range of sectors. My specialism is systems, operations, and tech - so the best fit is a business owner who needs operational support rather than purely creative or sector-specific work. If I'm not the right fit, I'll say so on the call and point you in a better direction.
Services
Services What services do you offer? I specialise in three areas: Email and Diary Management, Mailchimp Email Marketing, and HubSpot CRM Management. Each is available as a monthly retainer package. I also offer an Admin Power Hour for one-off tasks or a focused systems audit. Full details are on the Services and Pricing page. Can I combine services - for example, inbox management and Mailchimp? Yes - and it often makes sense to. Many clients start with one service and add a second as confidence builds. We can discuss combining services on the Discovery Call and I'll put together a package that reflects exactly what you need. Do you only work with businesses using HubSpot and Mailchimp? Those are my primary platforms and where my expertise is strongest. If you use a different CRM or email marketing tool, let me know on the Discovery Call - I'm familiar with a range of platforms and may still be able to help, or I'll be honest if I'm not the right fit. What about tasks that don't fit neatly into your three service areas? The Admin Power Hour is designed for exactly this - a focused 60-minute session for one-off tasks, ad hoc support, or a systems audit. If you need ongoing support outside my three specialist areas, that's something we can discuss.
Pricing and Contracts
Pricing and contracts How much does it cost? Monthly retainer packages start from £395 per month for Email and Diary Management, and £595 per month for Mailchimp and HubSpot services. The Admin Power Hour is £90. Full pricing is on the Services and Pricing page. Are there any setup fees or hidden costs? No setup fees. The monthly retainer covers everything described in your Schedule of Services. Any additional work outside the agreed scope is quoted separately and agreed before it's carried out - nothing is added without your knowledge. How long is the contract? Monthly retainers run on 30 days' notice from either side - there's no lengthy tie-in. Project work is scoped and agreed upfront with clear deliverables and payment terms. You're not locked in to anything long-term. How do I pay? Invoices are sent monthly in advance for retainer clients and are due within 14 days. Payment is by bank transfer. You'll receive a professional invoice via Xero with full payment details included. What if I need to pause or stop? Give 30 days' written notice and the retainer ends at the close of that notice period. Any work completed up to that point is invoiced as normal. Offboarding is handled professionally - I'll make sure everything is handed back cleanly and nothing is left mid-air.
How We Work Together
How we work together Where are you based and how do we communicate? I'm based in the UK and work Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. All work is done remotely. We communicate via email and a channel agreed during onboarding - usually email, WhatsApp, or a shared project management tool depending on your preference. Will I always be working with you directly? Yes. Control Alt Completed is a boutique solo practice - you work with me directly, not a team of assistants. If that ever changes, you'll be told in advance. How do you handle confidentiality? Confidentiality is built into the Services Agreement. Everything shared during our working relationship is treated as strictly confidential. I use a password manager for all client credentials and follow UK GDPR data processing obligations as a registered data processor. What if something goes wrong or I'm not happy? I'd always rather know than not know. If something isn't working, tell me - most issues are easily resolved with a conversation. The monthly check-in call exists specifically to catch anything that needs adjusting before it becomes a problem. If you're ever genuinely unhappy, the 30-day notice clause means you're never stuck.
Data and Security
Data and security How do you handle my business data? As a VA I act as a data processor under UK GDPR - I process your data only as instructed, only for the purpose of delivering the services, and never share it with third parties. A Data Processing Agreement is included in every Services Agreement. How are login credentials shared securely? Never by email. All client credentials are shared via a secure password manager and stored in an encrypted vault. Two-factor authentication is enabled on all tools used for client work. Are you registered with the ICO? Yes - Control Alt Completed is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office as required under UK data protection law.
Still Have a Question
Still have a question? If something isn't covered here, just get in touch. I'm happy to answer any question before you commit to anything. Book a Discovery Call or email: mary@controlaltcompleted.co.uk