I have seen a lot of posts in the Services Offered section of VAF made by well-intentioned VAs looking to subcontract work from other, established VAs that say nothing more than 'hire me, I'm here'. I thought we could get a thread going that discusses just what it is we look for in a sub - please pitch in your own thoughts and ideas here!

I'll start the thread off with a few suggestions -

-If you do create a post in the classifieds section offering your services take the time to write a post that tells me who you are as a professional. What are you skilled at? Why should I choose to work with you? Treat your post as you would any other professional interaction.

-Spend time establishing yourself as a professional here on the boards. Network, post actively, share your experience. Answer questions or add new posts that show off your knowledge and your skill. A lot of times the only way an established VA has to judge the potential quality of the work of a sub is by how she presents herself in her posts. Do you strive impress with your answers and shared resources? If not, you should.

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When I need a subcontractor I always choose VAs I've met through the forums. My best subs were found right here at VAF. I approached these VAs because they were great contributors to the conversations here. They impressed me with their knowledge and their professionalism in the way they posted. Sometimes it's hard to find the right person and when I am looking for a new sub I need someone with a specific skill set.

I don't have as much time as I used to anymore. I am very fortunate to have a busy practise and although I would love to visit here everyday like I used to, I just can't. So I don't have the time to get to know other VAs like I want to. That means when I come looking for a new sub I will come to the Services Offered section or post an RFP.

If I choose to come to the Services Offered section I will be looking for the following:

*proper grammar and spelling, (no slang)
*a detailed list of skills (be specific: don't say "internet marketing", say: aWeber, Constant Contact, iContact, MailChimp, photoshop, illustrator, copywriting, html, css, etc.)
*have an active website with contact information
*know the kind of VA you want to sub for (an internet marketing VA, a real estate VA, a general VA etc.) and tailor your message to them. I don't want to read every Services Offered post. (sorry, but I don't) I will look for a post that says you want to sub for an internet marketing virtual assistant in the title. Then, in the post, list your specialties along with anything else you think is relevant.

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

Tess,

Thank you so much for starting this thread. I have noticed the posts popping up in the Services Offered area too.

While I have not ventured out and worked with a VA subcontractor yet; I will tell you that my interaction with VAs on this forum and through my podcast; getting to know who they are and the services they offer is what would make me decide to work with them. With that being said; if a VA wishes to offer their services on the Services Offered section of the forum I would look for the following:

*An honest, professional, yet down-to-earth explanation of who you are and the services you offer. Don't over sell yourself or come off as desperate (sorry if that sounds harsh). Telling a little bit about who you are and what you do is enough.

*Please do not make the post read like a form letter. I cringe when I read anything that seems like a form letter. For me, sincerity is key. Form letters are extremely impersonal and I just don't like them; at all. The same is true for those responding to an RFP.

* Most importantly, get involved in the forums! I tend to keep a list of VAs in the back of my mind with whom I would want to work with based solely off of my interaction with them on the forums. The VAs that provide useful and insightful information about business and their niche specifically, usually make my list. Those VAs would be the ones I would contact first if I ever required a VA subcontractor. Therefore, if a post of theirs shows up in the Services Offered section; you bet that if they have a service I require I will contact them.

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

To be honest, if I were hiring a subcontractor I wouldn't look in the services offered area. Sorry. I look at the people that interact with me. If they follow me on twitter and interact with me/respond to things I say then I take notice. If they reply to posts I make on here, I take notice. If they offer me suggestions or tips when I have a questions, I take notice. If they ask me a question (intelligently, well written, etc.) I take notice. Those are the people I am going to contact when I need a subcontractor.

If you have a great special that you're offering, I look at those to see if it's something I'm interested in. But, I don't look at the "looking to sub" or "hire me" posts. If I need something and don't know someone who can provide the service I'm more apt to look in the directory for the service I'm looking for, then look at the website of someone I recognize and respect, then contact them.

Another big recommendation, do NOT blindly call or e-mail someone and ask if they have work for you. If you want to work with someone start interacting with them. Years ago I found a VA that I really wanted to work with. I started interacting with her. I e-mailed her about something random that I thought she'd be interested in. I commented on posts she made. I asked her advice on things. After six months of us interacting she hired me to sub for her, I NEVER asked her for the work. I now oversee all her other subs and take care of her largest clients.

As with getting any clients it's all about building the relationship. Some relationship building goes faster but you still need to build the relationship.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

I would like to chime in here as someone who subs. I have also been receiving emails and such notes requesting work from potential VAs wanting to sub. I agree with all the post above. By no means am I an expert at subbing, just thought I would lay out some helpful hints, that I feel opened the door to subcontracting for me.

First and foremost, I totally agree - build a relationship with VAs your interested in providing subcontracting services for. It makes a difference.

Don't sell yourself short. I do believe in offering fellow VAs a discount, but when it comes down to determining your subcontracting rates, don't offer an extremely low dollar amount. - It will make the experienced VA doubt you and what you have to offer. Once again, I'm not saying you shouldn't offer a discount!

Don't try to sell your services everywhere. This drives other's, as well as myself nuts. I see this everywhere(social networking sites) - and it just makes me want to wiggle out of my skin. I'm here to bet, that's what the VA is thinking too.

Complete the project and do your absolute best. Keep in communication with the VA. This is what creates referrals.

Like Darlene said, be honest, professional but most of all be yourself. With time, it will become a friendship that can benefit both.

Last, but not least. Do your own due diligence. Don't ask for the answers or don't expect just to be handed over the answers. We all had to do our research when we started. Do Yours

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Kena~
Everyone smiles in the same language

I have to agree with so much of what's been said already. I find myself agreeing with Lanel in that I don't go to the services offered section when I've needed assistance. I've subcontracted with several VA's from this forum and I will tell you that my decision to seek them out to assist me was entirely based on the relationship or interactions that I had with them here and on other social networking platforms.

Kena is right as well in that I'm coming across more and more VAs who are not doing their research and who want so much handed to them from other more experienced VAs. I haven't been in this business all that long myself so I'm no industry veteran. But I have put in my time and effort to research and understand how things work and how to make them work for me. I recommend any other new VAs do the same. This forum is a great place to learn and to share...but you can also make great connections here that will help you to go a long way in being successful.

Shari's point is also helpful. If you have special skills or want to sub with a particular type of VA, then you should say so. For the work I've subcontracted out, I've needed very particular skills and have sought out VAs that I knew had those skills.(And I must say I have not been let down yet- which speaks to the many great VAs who can be found here!)

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

I'm in agreement on all points here and appreciate each of you weighing in - I also don't visit the Services Offered section looking for VAs to sub to - the few times I've subbed out it has been based on interactions here on the boards.

Darlene has just posted Episode 13 of A Virtual Perception Podcast here on the forums and it's all about subcontracting, I strongly recommend anyone who is interested in subcontracting to listen to the three interviews in the podcast.

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Great thread! I am in total agreement as well with everything that has been posted and this about sums it up for me..

Quote:

I find myself agreeing with Lanel in that I don't go to the services offered section when I've needed assistance. I've subcontracted with several VA's from this forum and I will tell you that my decision to seek them out to assist me was entirely based on the relationship or interactions that I had with them here and on other social networking platforms.

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

What a wealth of information! Although, I have contributed to threads through college courses, actually forming relationships via this forum is a new concept for me. You have inspired me to become more social as I begin this VA adventure. Thanks to all.
Erin

Add value to other's businesses by sharing your expertise when they have questions on forums like this. Market yourself by proving you've got the knowledge and willing to share it. This will take you a lot further than always talking about yourself and that you're looking for subcontract work.