I think, for a beginner like me, agencies will be good
At least, i'll take the jobs (with easier money) and considering myself as an apprentice for this business

I have had the opportunity to work for one particular VA Agency when I first started out as a VA, and although I'm thankful for the experience and the first client I landed eventually bought me out so that could work for him exclusively, I definitely think that going it alone is best.

Of course, budgets and finances really play a major role in whether or not this is feasible, but if you do decide to work with an agency please be sure to read their contracts VERY THOROUGHLY so that you don't accidentally infringe or violate the terms.

I had a situation where someone I knew had created a "profile" on this agency's website, but was never contacted for work. Later on, when my client through the agency needed services, I referred him to my friend and later found out that this was a breach because when he (and I) created our "profiles" we were forced to acknowledge an agreement that said that once we did that, the agency would get a percentage of any business that was generated by anyone who was "enrolled" with their agency --- even if they were NEVER CONTACTED.

Again, I'm sure that there are some great VA agencies out there, and I've considered creating one myself (you know, part of my 5-year plan...) but please be sure to do your homework so that when you decide to spread your wings you don't end up crippling your fledgling business with non-compete or non-disclosure clauses.

What's nice about subcontracting is you can work into it slowly or your own pace. You choose what you want area you want to subcontract by marketing that expertise.

I have done all three. Working for an agency is great if you need the work and experience. When I first quit my job to stay home with the kids, I needed an income right away before getting too far behind in bills. You can get working pretty well right away and have a steady pay.

Then I moved on to sub contracting from other VAs. This worked because I hated marketing and looking for my own contracts. The pay was better, and the freedom of learning as I went to run my own business. I had a good working relationship with these VAs and they helped me learn to market better and get out on my own.

Now I have my own business, specialize in certain things I love to do, but when times are slow and I still need to pay bills, I know I can always fall back on those other 2 aspects and get work.

You need to try new things, and get a feel for what you like to do. Marketing is hard, for me anyways. I still don't like it very much. We all wish jobs would just land in our laps, but we also know that we have to work for what we want, SOOO try things out and see where you fit.

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Melanie Bremner
Ecommerce Setup and Writing Specialist

This is a bit late in the discussion, but working with a VA Agency is IMO similar to working with a Temporary agency in the Corporate world. The agency needs to make their money to cover their overhead and in turns ends up paying the candidate going to the job a much smaller rate than the candidate would likely earn if they work working directly for the company.

If you want control over your own businesses and what you do, sub-contracting and building your own VA business is the way to go.

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Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
eMail Marketing & Aweber Training Starts May 15! - Save 50% using VAFAweber

I am new to the business and started working for an agency.

The agency was eye opening in the sense that it assured me that I can do well in the field and that my skill sets are needed. The bad thing is that the pay frankly SUCKS.

In the end I worked for the agency for 2 weeks and now I am defintely going to work at it by myself. The power to turn down clients you don't "mesh" well with is priceless.

I have looked into working for other angencies, and have decided against it. I am new to this, but just thought it would work out much better in the long run if I go it on my own. I am currently sub-contracting for other VA's while I work on getting things moving for myself. There is still so much that I need to learn about running my own business, and I am still working on my website. It is up and running, but I still need to add a few things to it. Plus, I am working on getting together my documents, and other things that you need to run on your own. In the meantime sub-contracting is what I am doing, I am finding it is also a great way to learn more about what others expect from me as a VA which is going to prove very useful I think. It is one thing to know what you can do and expect of yourself, but is great to know what others want/expect from you. I am hoping to use this to incorporate things into my website, and marketing materials to let them know those not familiar with the VA industry know what to expect. Like the others have said though this is really a personal decision, if you are seriously considering working for other angencies, perhaps you can do that while you work on getting yourself up and running and get a few clients of your own. That way it will at least allow you to work until you have yourself ready to go independent of them.

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Rhonda Holscher, Owner
Rhonda's Virtual Office - Hire a Virtual Assistant

I also think that running your own business gives you more control on what you want to do. Working for somebody else is probably easier, but you are not in control. It all depends on what you want to do. Good luck!!

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Marta Vaquero
www.idelega.com

Originally Posted by RhondaHolscher

I have looked into working for other angencies, and have decided against it. I am new to this, but just thought it would work out much better in the long run if I go it on my own. I am currently sub-contracting for other VA's while I work on getting things moving for myself. There is still so much that I need to learn about running my own business, and I am still working on my website. It is up and running, but I still need to add a few things to it. Plus, I am working on getting together my documents, and other things that you need to run on your own. In the meantime sub-contracting is what I am doing, I am finding it is also a great way to learn more about what others expect from me as a VA which is going to prove very useful I think. It is one thing to know what you can do and expect of yourself, but is great to know what others want/expect from you. I am hoping to use this to incorporate things into my website, and marketing materials to let them know those not familiar with the VA industry know what to expect. Like the others have said though this is really a personal decision, if you are seriously considering working for other angencies, perhaps you can do that while you work on getting yourself up and running and get a few clients of your own. That way it will at least allow you to work until you have yourself ready to go independent of them.

Rhonda, This sounds like good advice while I am getting my VA business set up. I need to get an income coming in pretty quickly. How do I go about finding a VA agency?

I didnt take note of your post count but if you have enough posts there are a few companies in the RFP section that are looking to add to their companies.
I found mine by replying to an add on elance.