Hi everyone, this is a great discussion topic. One of the things I want to include in here too though is that VAs wanting to sub might just be so new they don't know how else to go about it and finding the VAF oasis in the big wide world of the internet can seem like they've suddenly found "other" people when once thinking they were alone out there or somehow isolated. I still want to encourage subbies to list though so that we can see they're willing and able, and don't discount relationships in the process by any means, and agree too with comments made about specifics instead of "internet marketing" etc.

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Virtually yours,
www.nzvas.com

To be honest I don't go to the services offered area either. I go to the directory to see who is listed under the service I require and then visit their profile, their website, their posts etc. This tells me how serious they are about their business and reputation. So my recommendation is fill out your profile as much as possible and participate in the forums. Also when you participate in the forums I like to see good answers not just thank you posts.

Recently, I have been inundated with phone calls and emails from new VAs looking for subcontracting work. While I would love to spend time mentoring everyone who contacts me, I just don't have the time to do so these days. The ladies on this thread have given some great advice that I have to agree with:

Originally Posted by lanelt

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.

I think this is a really good point. If I don't know you or have any idea of what kind of work you do, it would be very difficult to hand off my hard-won clients to you. It may seem like a great idea to contact established VAs to ask for subcontract work, but developing a relationship with one might be time better spent.

Originally Posted by JKVirtualOffice

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.

This is a big one for me. I have worked very hard for a long time and through some very lean times to get my VA business to the point where it is. Everyone has to put in the time, if you think that it's going to be handed to you, you are not going to make it. As Kena says:

Originally Posted by Virtually Assisting You

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

Good luck!

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Thanks for all the advice! I've found reaching out to established va's in my own backyard a wonderful place to start when looking for subcontracting/networking opportunities as well. Instead of directly asking for work as a "newbie" I tried a different approach and offered to provide data mining services for a charity of their choice. I've found this to be a valuable way to build relationships, gain some experience and provide a service for a deserving cause...so far it has been a wonderful experience.

Nan

Seems like most dont go to the Services Offered area. I agree, if and when I am looking for someone to sub to I would prefer to go someone I have a "virtual relationship" with.

I was interviewed by a local newspaper about being a virtual assistant, which meant I had tons of calls and emails saying "can you hire me?" in different ways. Each time I got a voicemail, I'm thinking, ooooh potential client! Nope, it's another person asking if I could hire them.

Honestly, I don't have enough steady work most of the time to subcontract, because I work full time outside the home and do my VA work part time, so my response has always been "no subcontract positions available". However if I were looking for assistance, it would be a specialist with skills that I lack. Most of the people contacting me want to become a VA and are skilled at basic administrative work. Since administrative skills are a strength and a joy for me, I'm not looking for assistance in that area.

I would have to agree that the people I would contact to send work would be people I already know and trust.

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Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke

Originally Posted by geeksontap

I had tons of calls and emails saying "can you hire me?" in different ways. Each time I got a voicemail, I'm thinking, ooooh potential client! Nope, it's another person asking if I could hire them.

I have been getting these calls and even received a resume by email recently. The most recent call was from someone hear in town that found my card on a posting board as they were walking their dog and figured they would give it a try. I told her that I just started this business. She thanked me and said it was worth a try.

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.

Great thread! I'm so glad I came across this one. I'm looking into getting into the subcontracting because I read on here (somewhere) that it's a good way to start out. There is so much useful information in this thread. Thanks to all that have shared their knowledge on this topic.

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Kristy

Be sure and join our subcontractor's group. I hope 2010 we'll get some activities going.

What an awesome thread. I have a better understanding of how it works. Thank you for all of your input.

I am a VA that has had a team of subs for several years. When I'm looking for a new team member, the first place I start is trusted VAs that currently offer training classes. I like the personal referral best. I then interview the potential sub to see if we are a "match". There needs to be a "fit".

Let me add that when it works, having subs on your team is amazing! My subs have also become my friends and I trust each one of them to perform the tasks given to them with professionalism and timeliness. In return, each of my subs knows that I will mentor them in any aspect of their business ... for free! I've been a VA for many years and learned some things the hard way! I hope I can help my team members avoid mistakes I made when I was just beginning my VA business.

So...being a sub or having subs is a "two way street". The sub is an asset to the lead VA but the lead VA, in turn, gives of herself to help the sub achieve his/her business goals.

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Cathryn Jones
Assistants For Agents, LLC

Thanks for all the information in this thread! I'm just starting up and thought doing some sub work would be a good way to start while I work on a client list of my own.

Like everyone else, I can certainly see the desire to get to know a potential sub before you give them any work - you don't want to have someone else's bad work scare off a client you worked hard to get. I've never been very good at "making contacts" on boards like this (I tend to read everything and only reply when I have something I feel is valuable), but I'll certainly try harder to start building those relationships!

Cathryn. I agree with you that I think of being a sub for another VA as a "two-way" street. Everyone has different skills and experiences in the working world and we can learn something from everyone!! Great advice on this thread!

Janet
eBusinessOnlineSupport

Thanks for this wealth of information. I'm just starting up and I've been pondering on what steps I should take. I agree with Cathyn about learning from each other. I've been told by other entrepreneurs to just step out there. There's no particular order on what to do first. I've been struggling with should I get a web site first, should I go purchase a fax machine, etc. This thread has really been a great help. Thank you.

You all have provided excellent advice. I'm afraid that I have already probably done the wrong thing in my posts... Ooops!

I'm very thankful that I saw the link to this post before growing in my errors. LOL! Thank you all for including all of the suggestions.

Bobbi

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Bobbi Hunter
http://www.huntervaservices.com