Hi all,

I was reading in a VA book that marketing to temporary agencies would be helpful. There wasn't much detail about how to go about it.

Have any of you tried this? What did you do? Did it result in a client or a consultation?

Thanks for the feedback!

Seems like a good idea, though I've never tried it. Only caution would be that through a temp agency you'd be viewed as an employee (rather than an outside contractor or independent business) and that could lead to misunderstandings.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

That isn't something I'd ever thought about. At first thought it sounds like a plausible option; but with Mary's caution in mind I'd be wary of how the relationship is handled.

The only other thought I have, and this is based solely on personal perference, is that it's much different to work with a group or team of people than it is a small business owner, independent coach, or entrepreneur...
But that's really not relative to your question...I suppose you'd market to a temp agency much the same way you would anyone else - point out the gaps in their operations that you can fill, streamline, simplify, etc.

Perhaps reaching them by direct mail and/or in person?

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I don't know if I would market to a temp agency, because as Mary said you might be viewed as an employee of that agency. What I would do with a temp agency is to sign up with them and anytime your slow with work or need some extra you could work temporarily for them. And at the same time possibly get your own client out of one of theirs, though I think there is probably some kind of clause stating that they can't contact you directly within in a certain amount of time.

That is probably what I'll do when I get to the point that I can quit my JOB, just to fill in some gaps money wise when needed!

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

When I quit my job last year I hired a temp agency to find a replacement for myself, and the lady from the agency actually asked me if I ever did contract work. Occasionally they do get companies who just need help with temp projects, but they have a hard time filling those positions because most people are looking for permanent employment.

I would recommend setting up an appointment and going to talk to them about it. I would let them know you are not interested in employment but are only interested in temporary contract work. If you do get an assignment you can establish a relationship with the company so that they would call you directly next time they need help instead of going through the temp agency.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Originally Posted by Rebecka

When I quit my job last year I hired a temp agency to find a replacement for myself, and the lady from the agency actually asked me if I ever did contract work. Occasionally they do get companies who just need help with temp projects, but they have a hard time filling those positions because most people are looking for permanent employment. I would recommend setting up an appointment and going to talk to them about it. I would let them know you are not interested in employment but are only interested in temporary contract work. If you do get an assignment you can establish a relationship with the company so that they would call you directly next time they need help instead of going through the temp agency.

Rebecka, that is great advice! Where I am located, we are suffering from a huge staffing shortage and I keep seeing the temp agencies advertising for my target market. I keep trying to figure out how to approach the agencies, but not as a potential employee and this would be a great workaround, thanks!

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Temp agencies up here pay considerably less than what I charge per hour, so it's something I probably wouldn't consider. I also think that temp agencies wouldn't touch a VA if they knew that the applicant was one because they may be concerned that the VA might take their client. There's usually a 6 month rule that the client can't hire the temp without paying a commission, but after that time period, the client could just hire the VA directly, so I don't think they'd take that risk.

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Julia

There are pros and cons to the situation. I agree you may have to take a lower rate than what you would normally charge, but I also think it could add some valued experience to your business because you would be working with various types of businesses. Also, it could be a good way to make income while your building your business without being tied to a permanent 9-5 job.

It may not be for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to talk to them and see what type of deal you could work out. You don't have to accept anything. If nothing else you'll get some experience in negotiating.

Personally, I don't see how it is much different than doing sub work for another VA. When you do sub-work you accept a lower rate, because the contracting VA is making their cut too.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I agree with Rebecka about their being pros and cons on the situation. I am also always on the lookout for new contacts and I have no doubt that I could make some valuable new contacts regardless of whether I was taken on as an independent contractor or not.

I also disagree with temp agencies not wanting to hire VA's. Alberta has been a consistent leader in having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, January's rate in Alberta was 3.2% compared to Ontario's 6.3%. You only have to live here for a short period of time to see the extremes that employers are willing to go to find staff, it's pretty insane here. Any temp agency that isn't willing to go that extra mile in order to find staff is going to find themselves out of business in a hurry.

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Originally Posted by KateK

I also disagree with temp agencies not wanting to hire VA's. Alberta has been a consistent leader in having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, January's rate in Alberta was 3.2% compared to Ontario's 6.3%.

I agree that it does depend on the unemployment rate and how desparate employers (including agencies are). Alberta is a very special case right now with employment rates - everybody in Eastern Canada seems to be going out there. What are they paying temps out there now?

I remember during the 80s in Toronto, temps were able to call the shots on what they wanted to get paid. Where I am in Oakville, agencies are still not willing to pay decent rates. I temped a few years ago and didn't work a lot because I wasn't willing to go out for $14 a hour - yes I was being picky, but I also knew that my skills were good so I insisted on being paid what I was worth. It was funny, I got a really great temp job and the HR department tried to get the Director to take another temp because she was "cheaper" and the Director said that she wanted me, the price didn't matter.

I'd rather work for 10 hours a week for my current rate than 25 for a temp agency and spend the other 15 hours building my business and enjoying my quality of life - I'm using these hourly amounts as an example because at my hourly rate and what I could get paid as a temp, it works out to the same amount of money.

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Julia

Originally Posted by JuliaW

Alberta is a very special case right now with employment rates - everybody in Eastern Canada seems to be going out there.

That's for sure!

Originally Posted by Rebecka

It may not be for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to talk to them and see what type of deal you could work out. You don't have to accept anything. If nothing else you'll get some experience in negotiating.

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

I'm curious. If a temp agency pays you $14/$15 an hour to the staff, what do you think they charge the client. We all know why hiring a VA is better, but I've never seen any articles about the costs. I loved when my potential client said, he is willing to pay more than a temp agency due to my vested interest. I'm just curious what those temp agencies charge. Any clue?

I looked into some temp agencies when I was replacing myself at my last job, it was pretty steep. I don't remember the exact amount, but if I hired somebody for $10.00 then the agency charged $15-18 but you had to keep them with the agency for a year. If you hired them on permanent then some of the agencies got a percentage of their gross income upon being hired, some of them were up to 40% of the first year's gross income.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I used to work for a temp agency on the agency side. They went for a 25 to 30% margin. Depending on what employment expenses they had to pay, CPP, UI, 4% Vacation Pay, I'm not sure how much of that margin they kept. They didn't pay us a ton of money - it was salary, not commission.

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Julia

Hi

I did target temp agencies, but more to help their candidates not necessary to work for them. What I did was offer to help with writing of resumes, cover letters, etc. What I discovered is often these agencies had candidates that came in without a resume or one that was really not the best reflection of the candidate or applicant or perhaps it didn't have their very last job on it, so they could use my services. I did get a lot of work that way.

I believe I charged my regular rate, but gave them a slight discount because they referred so many people to me.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen