Hi

There were such excellent advice and tips offered here on subcontracting. I know it will help so many. Communication is absolutely the key.

Subcontracting can be such a positive experience for both when it works out. As a VA who used Subcontractors on a regular basis, I know that once you find some that are good, they are like gold! I do everything I can to keep them and make them happy and want to stay with me.

Here are some of the things that I've discovered that have worked for me over the years.

1) Directions are very important. I will often have the subcontractor write back and confirm the directions before getting started and also send me an example before they do the entire project. That has saved us so many problems. Often times it's been me that has written the directions wrong. I'm in a hurry and write them quickly and they aren't as they should be. But by having her repeat it back, and send a sample, we catch it. Of course, I do try and slow down and send better instructions too.

2) Time for completion of work. It's really important to have an understanding of this. When I send something new, I will let them know when I need it by and then they confirm. If anything comes up, they know I need to know ASAP. They realize that I'm on a deadline with my clients, so usually they are very good at meeting the timeframes we need.

3) Mistakes ... Often times when something is done wrong, I'll try and explain what is wrong with it and not be too critical. We all make mistakes, and I value them so much that it's not a problem. But I want to be able to come to them with how to do it right so that it's done correctly the next time. I know how I feel when a client comes to me with a mistake, so I avoid the terms "typos," etc. It's a learning process for both of us, so we try and keep it that way.

4) Samples .. I will try and provide them with samples of what I need whenever possible. That really helps.

It's so true that our reputation is on the line so often. I've too had VAs that have disappeared. It is so stressful. I try now and get a phone number and get references and really check them out first. How they present on the forums and their website is a big indicator of their professionalism.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen