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VIP Days: The All-in-One Solution for Biz Owners and Clients
Alright, let’s talk VIP days. This concept hit the design world a few years back, and while it took a minute for people to catch on, they’ve become a full-blown hit. I introduced VIP days around two years ago when they were still a well-kept secret, and after about a year of refining the process, they started booking like crazy. Now, I wouldn’t dream of running my business without them. In this post, we'll walk through what VIP days are, why they’re such a game-changer, what we can accomplish in one, and the behind-the-scenes of how I prep and deliver VIP magic— all in a single day. So, grab a coffee, and let’s dive in!
What Are VIP Days (And What Are They Not)?
Let’s be clear— VIP days are not for full-blown projects like a custom brand or an elaborate, from scratch website. You simply can’t fit all that research, brainstorming, and detailed execution into a single day. Those big projects are for my custom clients who want all the frills. VIP days are for those quick, high-impact needs that can fit into a single day.
Think of a VIP day as your business’s bestie when you need:
A Semi-Custom Website: I’ll start with a professionally designed template that matches your industry and vibe. Then, I make it yours—adding your logo, colors, fonts, photos (seriously, get professional photos if you’re a product-based biz—they do wonders for conversions!), and your copy. I’ll even swap out template sections that don’t serve you and add ones that do. By the end of the day, you have a cohesive, polished online presence that looks custom without the custom price tag.
A Basic Logo Package: This is the “lite” version of my signature branding. You get a logo suite with a primary logo, secondary logo, and a submark, all with an accessibility-friendly color palette and fonts tailored to your brand. This is perfect for newer businesses that aren’t ready for the deep-dive brand strategy, competitor analysis, and audience profiling I include in my full package. It’s also ideal if you’ve been DIYing a logo and you’re ready to graduate to something professional and cohesive.
Other Design & Marketing Essentials: Got a list of smaller branding or design to-dos? We can knock them out in a VIP day. Business cards, a restaurant menu, email marketing setup in Wix or Squarespace, a website refresh, or even a few new website sections or updates. It’s your day—let’s tackle what you need most.
VIP days are perfect if you’re less than a year in business, working with a smaller budget, and need a polished, professional look without the commitment of a full project. They’re a starting point that can grow with you as your business evolves.
Why Clients Love VIP Days (Hint: It’s Not Just the Budget)
Clients love VIP days for a few reasons, and it’s not just because they’re budget-friendly. Sure, it’s a great option if you’re looking to get the essentials without all the bells and whistles, but there’s more to it:
It’s Quick: No long timelines, no waiting weeks or months for the final reveal. In a single day, you walk away with deliverables that are ready to use immediately.
High Impact, Low Pressure: You get big results without the pressure of a full custom project. You’re dipping a toe into the professional brand world, not cannonballing into the deep end. If you’re still finding your footing, VIP days are the perfect middle ground.
Value-Driven: It’s all about getting exactly what you need, and only what you need. You’re not paying for extra frills or add-ons that might look cute but don’t actually help you move the needle right now.
That said, a VIP day isn’t going to magically level up your entire brand overnight— these are your foundational building blocks. If your brand takes off and you’re ready to invest in a full brand identity and custom website, don’t hesitate. VIP days are a solid start, but your brand should grow with your business, not hold it back.
How I Run My VIP Days: The Process, From Start to Finish
Every VIP day with me starts with one simple thing: a discovery call. Here’s how it works:
Discovery Call: Clients schedule this call on my VIP day page and fill out a quick form. This gives me a snapshot of their goals so we can decide together if a VIP day is the right fit or if they’d be better served by a full custom project.
Onboarding & Client Portal Setup: Once they’re on board, I set up their portal in Dubsado, my CRM software. Inside, they’ll find their contract, invoice, payment plan, and any relevant questionnaires— like a branding questionnaire if we’re working on logos or a web design questionnaire for websites. They also get a VIP day “homework” checklist with everything I need at least a week before our start date.
Homework & Prep: This part is essential! I’m a stickler for that one-week deadline because it gives me time to review everything and start sketching ideas. If they miss this deadline, I have to reschedule—no exceptions. I need that prep time to deliver my best work.
VIP Day Morning Routine: VIP days start at 8 a.m. sharp, a bit earlier than my usual start time. I kick things off with a strong coffee, breakfast, a candle, and my favorite playlist to set the mood. I also throw a simple and delicious meal into the crock pot so I don't have to worry about stopping when I'm in the homestretch to make dinner! At 8 a.m., I check in with the client to confirm our game plan for the day and go over when they can expect to hear from me.
Project Kick-Off & Revisions: We aim for two rounds of revisions to keep the day moving. Around midday, I send over the first draft for feedback— whether that’s a logo suite or a live website link. We hop on revisions, make tweaks, and finalize by the afternoon.
Final Wrap-Up: Before I transfer the website or send the final logo files, the client sends their final payment. Once that’s done, they get their deliverables, and we’re ready to launch or hand over files. And voila— VIP day complete!
How I Schedule VIP Days (and Why Thursdays are the Sweet Spot)
In my business, I dedicate Thursdays to VIP days. I save Mondays to Wednesdays for custom projects, and Fridays are my floater days for more custom client work or personal plans. While I can sometimes make exceptions for a Friday VIP day, it’s rare— I learned the hard way that trying to juggle evening plans with a VIP day can get hectic, especially if we’re running late on revisions.
With this setup, I can usually handle about 4-5 VIP days a month if I’m not swamped with custom projects. But if I’m deep in custom work, I scale back to just two VIP days a month. Flexibility is the name of the game. Again, this might look different for you if you decide to offer VIP days, based on your availability, schedule, and workload!
How to Price VIP Days
Pricing VIP days is simple math: start out with your hourly rate times eight hours, with a 25% premium for the convenience of getting it all done in a single day. Clients love this setup because they get quality results without the wait, and it’s a win-win— especially in busier seasons. You can choose whatever percent premium you wanna tack on, but 25% is enough, in my opinion. You might have to play with your numbers a bit, depending on your hourly rate!
Can VIP Days Work for Other Service Providers?
Absolutely. VIP days aren’t just for designers. Here’s a couple of ways different service providers could structure them:
Professional Organizers: Instead of a whole-home organizing project, offer a day of on-site organizing help. The client buys bins, and you show up and help them declutter and organize a specific area. It’s low-stress and high-impact, and clients love the quick results.
Social Media Managers: Offer a content refresh VIP Day. Spend the day auditing their social media, planning a content calendar, and creating templates they can use going forward. You don’t have to create every single post but can set them up for success with a ready-to-use framework.
Photographers: If you’re a photographer used to capturing hundreds of shots, and long editing processes, a VIP day could be a total game-changer. Imagine offering a "Brand Refresh Day" where, instead of a full-scale photo package with multiple locations and outfit changes, you focus on a half-day, high-impact shoot in one location (like their office or a styled studio). You’d capture essential brand shots, plan out a few key props, and deliver a streamlined set of high-quality, edited images (think 20-30) that clients can immediately use on their website and social media. It’s ideal for clients who need fresh, professional images without the commitment of a full branding shoot—quick, efficient, and budget-friendly. This is already a popular option in the photography world, typically referred to as mini-shoots!
Copywriters: If you're a copywriter used to long-form projects like full website copy or extensive brand storytelling, a VIP day could be the perfect option for clients who need a quick copy refresh. For instance, you could offer a “Content Revamp Day,” where you focus on rewriting or optimizing specific sections— like their homepage, about page, or product descriptions. In a single day, you could tackle high-impact edits, make language more on-brand, sharpen headlines, and boost SEO to give their existing content a serious upgrade. It’s a perfect fit for clients who need compelling, polished copy without the wait time or investment of a full content project.
The trick is to offer a focused outcome that’s manageable in a day and packs a punch for the client.
VIP Days as a Standalone Business Model? Why Not!
For some businesses, VIP days have evolved from a supplemental offering to the entire business model. Yep, you heard that right—there are service providers out there who have fully eliminated custom projects, focusing exclusively on VIP day work.
Imagine working fewer days and hours, but still making a big impact (and impressive income). With a VIP-only model, you’re able to streamline your process, reduce back-and-forth, and work with clients who are ready to get results now. It’s an ideal setup for industries where clients need high-impact solutions without lengthy timelines, and for business owners who want to prioritize quality over quantity.
The beauty? You’re still delivering immense value and transformation in just a day, without the never-ending project cycles. It’s a profitable, high-energy way to run a business that makes a big difference while keeping burnout at bay. (Don't worry— I don't have any plans to eliminate custom projects from my offers!!)
Why VIP Days Are a Lifeline in Slow Seasons
Here’s the thing: VIP days are incredible in those slower months when people aren’t as keen to invest in a full custom project. They’re a perfect way to bring in consistent income without the commitment of larger projects. You can attract clients with a high-impact, budget-friendly option, and they get what they need without feeling overcommitted. In short, VIP days are a goldmine during off-seasons and a fantastic way to keep cash flow steady.
Ready to Book Your VIP Day?
Whether you’re just starting and need foundational branding or a semi-custom website, or you’re established and have a to-do list full of smaller updates, VIP days offer the quick, professional help you need to take things to the next level. Curious if a VIP day is the right fit? Schedule a discovery call, and let’s chat. And for those of you thinking of offering VIP days yourself, know that they’re one of the best ways to serve clients, book consistently, and bring in income during slower months.
VIP days are my favorite not just because they deliver great results but because they’re the best of both worlds for clients: affordable, efficient, and customized to get exactly what you need now without a wait. So here’s to VIP days— the ultimate powerhouse for businesses on a mission!
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