Frequently asked questions

Your questions about Notion, services and pricing

Everything you want to know before getting started: about Notion, about projects, about pricing, about me.

Notion

What is Notion?

You've never used Notion or you want to understand the tool better before getting started. These questions cover the basics: what it is, who it's for, and what it can replace in your day-to-day work.

Notion is an all-in-one tool that replaces several apps: Google Docs (documentation), Excel/Airtable (databases), Trello/Asana (project management), Evernote (notes). Everything is connected in a single workspace.

Notion suits freelancers and independents (to manage their business, clients and projects) and startup or SME teams (to centralise documentation, processes and projects). If you want to replace several tools with one and gain clarity, Notion is probably for you.

Yes, Notion offers a very complete free plan. For teams or advanced features (automations, granular permissions), paid plans are available. For the vast majority of freelancers, the free plan is sufficient. If you upgrade to Business, you can get up to 3 months free via my Ambassador link, with no credit card required.

Notion has a learning curve. The basics are accessible in a few hours. But to build a real system (databases, relations, automations), it takes time and method. That's where a consultant can save you weeks.

Notion has limited offline mode on mobile and desktop apps. Recently opened pages are accessible, but syncing and new data require an internet connection.

Notion isn't a solution to everything, but it's the most flexible and scalable tool I know. It adapts to your activity, not the other way around. Unlike Monday.com or ClickUp which impose their logic, Notion bends to your needs. And above all: it consolidates. Rather than 10 scattered tools, you have one, well-structured.

Yes, for freelancers and small structures. I build lightweight CRMs in Notion with pipeline, opportunity tracking, client history, etc. For more advanced needs (cold emailing, automation), we stick to dedicated tools.

Virgile Gouala

Who I am and what my status means

My background, my Notion certifications and what the Ambassador distinction actually means. What you buy when you work with me includes 10 years of tech experience.

The Notion Ambassador distinction is awarded by Notion to a limited number of consultants and creators worldwide. It recognises advanced expertise with the tool, an active contribution to the community, and regular professional use. It's not a commercial certification: it can't be bought and is renewed by invitation.

Yes. I hold the Notion Essentials, Workflows and Advanced certifications. I am also a Notion Ambassador, a separate distinction from the certifications.

10 years in tech: front-end developer, then Engineering Manager at French scale-ups (Welcome to the Jungle, papernest). I managed teams, processes and coordination tools at scale. That experience informs how I structure Notion systems, not just knowledge of the tool itself.

I work alone. Every project is handled directly by me, from the brief to the delivery. No sub-contracting, no intern on your file.

Services & projects

How does it work?

From first contact to delivery: how projects run, how long they take, what you can combine. Includes training, remote work and how we communicate during a project.

The best starting point: the free diagnostic. It takes 3 minutes and identifies your current blockers with Notion. Based on your score, a tailored offer is recommended. Otherwise, book a free 45-min call to discuss your situation.

The discovery call lasts 45 minutes. We discuss your current situation, goals and constraints. I ask a few questions to understand your context. At the end, I tell you honestly whether I can help and which offer fits best. No sales pitch, no pressure.

It depends on the offer. Unblock: 1 session (1-2h). Audit: 5-7 days. Build: 2-4 weeks depending on complexity. Train: 1-2 days. Adopt: 3 months minimum. I respect the announced timelines.

Both, and that's my strength. When I build your workspace (Build offer), training is integrated: you understand what we're building while we build it. At delivery, you're autonomous. No black box, no dependency.

Yes, and it's often the best approach. The most common combinations: Audit + Build (€490 deduction applied within 30 days), Build + Train Champion (system + internal autonomy), Build + Master = Complete Pack freelance (€400 saving). We discuss the optimal path during the discovery call.

Primarily remote (video via Google Meet). It's more flexible and just as effective. In-person sessions in Paris and surroundings are possible depending on availability, at no extra cost.

It depends on the offer. For Audit, I analyse your workspace asynchronously and deliver a structured report with a 45-min debrief. For Build, I work asynchronously (I build, show you progress, you validate) or in co-construction if you prefer to learn as we go. For Train, it's a live session (video or in-person if you're in Paris).

Projects run on an asynchronous rhythm between synchronous sessions. I primarily use email and a shared Notion workspace. I reply within 48 business hours. No real-time availability outside of scheduled sessions.

A template is the source code. My services are code + architecture + training + change management. You're not buying a tool, you're buying a transformation. With a template, you'll download it, try to adapt it, and give up after 2 days. With me, you get a custom system tailored to your activity, and you know how to use and evolve it.

Yes, I can help you migrate data from Trello, Asana, Airtable, Google Sheets, etc. I ensure the transition is smooth with minimal friction.

Yes, I can build a client portal in your Notion workspace where your clients can track their projects, validate deliverables and communicate with you. Very professional.

Yes, with clients worldwide. Projects are entirely remote, in English or French.

It depends on the training. Train Solo and Train Cohort are aimed at beginners and those who want to start on solid foundations. Master requires an existing workspace and regular Notion practice. Train Group and Train Champion adapt to the team or individual's level, defined during scoping.

The basics take 1-2h. To become truly comfortable with databases, formulas and automations, allow 1 to 2 weeks of regular practice. With my support, you're operational immediately.

Pricing & payment

What it costs and how it works

Prices are shown without any form on the Pricing page. Here: questions about discounts, payment terms, VAT, and how the Maintain and Adopt retainers work.

All prices are shown on the Pricing page. No form, no quote needed for standard offers. If your project is non-standard (team of 100, very specific bespoke training), we discuss it on a call.

For freelancers: prices are VAT-inclusive (I operate under the French VAT exemption threshold). For businesses: prices are ex-VAT, 20% VAT applies. Training offers (Train Group, Train Champion) are eligible for OPCO funding in France.

Two automatic discounts: Audit then Build within 30 days (€490 deduction applied), and the Complete Pack for freelancers (€400 saving vs buying Build + Master separately). Associations and schools: contact me for a tailored rate.

Bank transfer only. Invoice sent before the project starts. For projects over €3,000: 50% upfront, 50% on delivery. For Adopt: monthly payment by transfer.

Yes, a compliant invoice is issued for every service. VAT exemption noted for freelancers and private individuals. VAT detailed for businesses. All invoices are archived and accessible.

My freelancer offers range from €150 (Unblock) to €2,800 (bespoke). It depends on your needs and the complexity of your activity.

Maintain keeps the technical quality of the workspace over time: it's a system retainer. Adopt supports human and organisational adoption: it's a people retainer. The two can coexist or follow each other depending on your situation.

50% upon signing the quote, before any start. The balance is due on final delivery. For retainers, payment is monthly at the start of each month.

With 30 calendar days' notice by email. The current month remains due in full. Minimum commitment is 2 months for Maintain and 3 months for Adopt.

A maximum of 3 clients simultaneously per retainer. This limit guarantees real availability and follow-up quality, not volume.

Yes and no. My offers include post-delivery support (30 days included). But my goal isn't to create dependency. I train you to be autonomous. If you need ongoing support afterwards, the Maintain and Adopt offers are built for that.

Guarantees & after

What if it doesn't fit?

What happens if a deliverable isn't right, what's included after the project, and what you can do with the free templates. No surprises: everything is said upfront.

I build in co-construction with you: each deliverable is validated as we go. If there's something to adjust, we fix it together. I don't deliver a black box at the end of the project. If something doesn't fit despite that, we discuss it directly: I'm not the type to disappear after delivery.

No automatic refund: my services are bespoke. However, I commit to quality and transparency. If a deliverable doesn't match what was agreed, we redo it. And if during the discovery call I see I can't help you, I don't take your money.

You're autonomous. That's the goal of every project. A 7-day post-delivery support is included in most offers to answer questions that arise in practice. For a longer relationship, the Maintain or Adopt offers let us keep evolving together.

Yes. No artificial limit. If you have a quick question after the project, I reply by email. If it's more complex, we can arrange a one-off Unblock session. No charge for small questions in the weeks that follow.

Yes, all my current templates are free. You can download and use them as you wish.

Absolutely. My templates are designed to be easily customisable. You can modify structures, properties and add your own sections without any problem.

The free templates come with integrated documentation. If you need personalised help, you can book a discovery call or a training session.

Yes, you can use my free templates with your clients. I just ask that you don't resell them as such. If you're a Notion consultant and want to integrate them into your offers, contact me.

Yes, all my templates are available in French and English. You can choose the language when downloading.