Doreen,
Thank you for your advice. I'm a newbie and one of the ways I thought of building my VA practice was to ask around for sub-contract work. I believe the best way to get work is to have great references and the best way to get great references is provide exceptional service.
I started a different business last year that involves contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry and one of the first things I told them was how important communication is. My business model is to refer homeowners to reliable contractors and sub-contractors. Even though I stressed the importance of communicating with both myself and the homeowner many of them seem to "fall off the face of the earth" and then they wonder why they aren't busy. Unfortunately this business is not very profitable which is why I'm interested in becoming a VA.
This was a long response but I wanted to let you know that it isn't just in the VA industry but this type of behavior is EVERYWHERE!
Laurie