Hello Everyone,

Some days, I feel like I could use a hand and I only have two clients. I have someone ready in the wings, but the excess work I have really isn't enough to be worth it for her, yet.

I was just curious at what point in your VA business did you realize you needed help, either by sub-contracting some tasks or getting an assistant of your very own?

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

For me it was just recently. I hired my mom who is an accountant as a sub-contractor. The plan has always been for me to start my business and then acquire enough work for both of us so that she can semi-retire. I'm not to that point yet, nor is she ready to quit her dayjob, but I got 3 big accounting projects in (one starting as far back as 2006) all at the same time and then I messed up my back which made it impossible to sit in a chair all day at the computer, so she has been helping me get the work done.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I'm not sure if this is the answer you're looking for but: I outsource small projects all the time. I'm not sure what you need help with but for me it's things like a video embedded into a website or a banner created for advertising. Those were jobs I needed done but couldn't do myself. These jobs were 30-60 minutes at most.

I decided to subcontract the moment my client asked me to do something I couldn't do.

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

I am like Shari and outsource some tasks occasionally. If it is during a time where I am excessively busy I have no choice but to outsource. I am not at the stage in my business where I need some consistent PT help yet.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I waited a long time - as long as I could, LOL It's hard for me to trust that something will get done the way I'd want it done. But, after I started this site and got to know the work ethic of a few other VAs it became easier to imagine subbing out a project. Then, just recently, I had a week that was way too busy and I had no choice - it worked out really well and I'm so glad I did!

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About a month ago or so, I started to use a sub-contract to help with my overflow. I"m sure I'll be using her more with the summer break approaching.

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Bette Creek
http://bettecreek.blogspot.com/
www.ashbusinessservices.com

I have three other VAs that I work with all the time. I especially like the fact that I can count on them like clockwork! It makes it easier for me to continue to sell my services and be able to have the manpower to complete the projects!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

Even as a subcontractor I feel for those of you who do have to reach out. It's so important to build that trust factor before outsourcing.

My first outsourced item was a website - I am not a techy person and didn't feel I could do a job that would meet my own standards...so I hired a professional website VA.

That lead to another outsourced item for a job that would have taken too much of my own time and have detracted from building my business and gaining additional clients.

I think it was destined to happen; in my previous corporate life I was a manager and enjoyed people management so it was inevitable that I would arrive at working with others.

Subcontracting has been great for me, allows me to offer more services and work with amazing virtual professionals. I highly recommend it.

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Cindy
www.eoseasy.comThe Chrysalis Plan

While I am a subcontractor currently, I think it is best to try to outsource a few tasks when you are not slammed. The VA I am working with had another contractor that she brought on before I could give her more time. Because she was not familiar with her work style she had an issue when things were hectic about a month ago with the way this person worked and handled things. Waiting gives the VA and the subcontractor a chance to get to know each other's work ethic while establishing that working relationship.

Granted the VA I work with and I had a working relationship from the corporate world, I still have to work with her to hand off things. (I was HER team lead a few years ago!)

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Anjanette
Precise Assistance