Sorry if this isn't the right thread to ask this in - I wasn't sure where to put it. Does anybody have any experience with the VA agency Internet Girl Friday? I applied with them over six months ago, and was given a couple of "try-out" tasks (for no pay) and then was supposedly hired and told to watch for an e-mail with links to all of my paperwork. I never got any such e-mail and eventually forgot about them as I began building my own business.

Then today I got two e-mails, one with a link to the afore-mentioned paperwork, and one to set up my company e-mail account. Naturally, I have some reservations about going to work for an agency that waits more than six months between hiring someone and initiating the actual hiring paperwork. They seem legit, just not very efficient. I was thinking it could be a good way to supplement my business (I only have a couple of regular clients - not nearly enough to sustain a living), but is it even worth the bother of filling out the paperwork?

Does anybody have any experience working through VA agencies in general? If so, how did that work out for you?

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~Jean B.
The Task Wrangler

Sorry, never heard of them - didn't even realize this existed. I will look into it.

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Virtual Express Inc.:daisy:
Ramonita Comas

No, it is the first time I hear about that. Could you explain what is it_

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Norma Carreño
www.virtualassistantwork.com

I looked at the site and there's quite a bit there (I've never heard of it before either). The owner, Jen, looks like she has a lot of internet businesses going (all geared towards virtual businesses) and Internet Girl Friday is the "umbrella". It did look kind of interesting, but I would be a bit leary of a company that took six months to get back to me (especially if you're relying on them to send you a check).

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

I have never heard of them. I would be leary of aany company that took that long to reply. if it takes that long to reply, how long would it be before you got paid? Doesn't sound legit to me.
VirtualRachel

There is a previous conversation here somewhere about this group of sites, I'll see if I can find it and post back...

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I believe I am mistaken, or the site has changed considerably since the thread I am thinking of [and can't find] was posted.

I can't say I've heard of this site, the woman behind it, or her 'team' before. I'm leery of these kinds of 'agencies' where the 'pitch' is centered around one person's fabulous lifestyle of leisure. She's a smart marketer to be sure, but I'm guessing the money she makes is from the work other people do on her behalf. Just my two cents - and yes, it does seem a bit odd that you are only now receiving info from them. Did you pay a fee?

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There is a difference between an 'agency' and registering with a network. You shouldn't be doing any work unpaid just so they can see what you're capable of. The networks may ask for your credentials, resume, and get you to fill out a form but they won't ask you to do free work. I've heard of occasional clients doing this too - they 'test' out 3 or 4 VAs with some of the work and get the whole job done free. Not ethical.

Agencies are usually aimed to employ virtual staff rather then provide client contact for independent business owners. Unfortunately it's hard sometimes to tell what's what out there. You need to Google and research each 'organisation', look for testimonials from clients and VAs involved and ask questions before joining if not sure.

Sorry my info comes a bit later into this matter but hopefully it will help guide you when looking at places to gain work as a VA.

I agree with Kathie completely on this point regarding doing 'free' or sample projects, and didn't mean to gloss over that - anyone who asks for free work to 'test you out' is not an ideal situation for you. There are whole businesses built around getting people to do a little work here, a little work there - all for free, all by freelancers who think they are competing for legit work. When in fact, their work is harvested and used for profit.

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I remember checking out her "sites" a while ago just out of interest. I thought it was a bit over the top and it just wasn't a business model that appealed to me.

I think that you are right to have reservations and I agree with Kathie and Tess...never do "work" for free. You can provide past examples of work, testimonials or a portfolio and that should be sufficient.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!