Oh, please don't think that all subcontract VA's work in this manner.

I'm a VA who seeks out subcontract work, I also work a full time job - so when I'm talking to a potential lead VA I mention that right upfront so they are aware i'm available evenings and weekends to do any work assigned to me. I'm very upfront about my skill level, if there is an assignment they would like me to do that I am not familiar with I let them know, then I do everything I can to learn that new skill in order to be able to assist the next time.

I'm constantly asking questions regarding the assignment in order to clarify as contact is mainly via email, if I run into a problem I immediately let them know.

I've signed contracts with these lead VA's and I take my assignments very seriously - this is my business, a start-up yes, but my business none the less and I've chosen to work as a VA who subs out to others. The Lead VA’s that I work with all operate differently and I adapt to them, I’m paid at the end of the assignment and if there is a problem with my work I want to know so I can learn from that and not make the same mistake(s) again.

I may be speaking out of turn but my sincere apologies to you Doreen, and everyone else who has been burned by a sub on behalf of all of the VA subs who do take our work seriously.

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Joanne Matheson
JEM Office Solutions

I have heard similar stories from business owners I have approached to work for them. The first thing I hear I their "horror" story of the administrative assistant they hired full-time who called in sick or just off work a lot. One business owner actually paid an admin for one week's work when she only showed up to work two days and didn't work a full eight hours either day. So, I've had to start reassuring them that I am a professional and they will not get a similar experience from me!!

I am looking for subcontracting work to help me get started. I certainly intent to treat the hiring VA like my client and get the work done correctly and on time!!

Janet

Yes, it is very unfortunate that you had three bad lemons ... it is always a shame when someone ruins it for those who are dedicated and responsible.

I am also looking to do some subcontracting work and hopefully one day I will be able to be subbing the work out.

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Robin
Virtually Robin

This thread has been immensely helpful to me as I begin seeking out subcontract work this summer. I really appreciate the detail so many of you have given in explaining the specific challenges that lead VAs often face. (You've given me a lot of ideas for things I can do to pro-actively make life easier for a lead VA.) I'll admit it was a little surprising to see how common it is to find a "bad lemon"!

Any more advice for subcontractors about how not to go about finding work?

Phyllis,

I agree with you that the lines of communication must remain open with your subcontractors - just like you would a regular employee. You can't always assume that they will do what is needed, and if you don't establish a "relationship" with that person to find out their strengths and weaknesses, it can bite you in the butt at a later time. Getting to know them somewhat will allow you to know just how responsible they are and how seriously they take their job.

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Shaheda J

TJ,
It's been over a year since you posted this comment. I'm currently in the same boat you were at that time. I'm curious to know... how has the transition been? I also work full time employee and want to subcontract to others until I take that final step of becoming a full-time VA. Do you have any tips to offer?

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Shaheda J

I agree with the below ..... I don't intend to not finish anything I start and I would never take on something I couldn't do. Thank you for the advice.

Originally Posted by VBP

On various posts and forums, there are discussions about VAs wanting to subcontract for other VAs. While I certainly do not want to be a downer on this thread, I wanted to share some important points about subcontracting for other VAs. The reason I am doing this is because I have been burned not once, not twice, but three times within the last six months! 1. Do not overstate your abilities. As eager as one may be to get started and to gain experience, inflating one's experiences can come back to haunt you. It's important to be upfront and honest about what you can and can not do. 2. Be responsive. I am not sure why a disconnect appears to happen, but it does. A lead VA has deadlines to her clients. It is important to let the lead VA know how when plan to complete the project and to provide timely updates when required. Take the initiative to provide updates even if not asked. 3. Project completion. It is never good practice to take on a project, start it and then fall off the face of the earth. This ties in to overstating one's abilities. If you can't complete the project, inform the lead VA so that she can make other arrangements. There are many other attributes that can make a good subcontract relationship go bad, but remember, just as a good word travels fast, so does the bad!

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Alaina Marie Becker
Becker Virtual Services

Hi Doreen:

I am new to the VAF forum and have not read everything that others have posted yet, but in response to your note: Not only does bad news travel fast but typically people will tell 10 times as many people about something bad over something good.

I have worked in sales and the exact numbers where researched awhile back (research conducted for word of mouth). In the online environment - one person can send one e-mail that gets sent to well over 1,000 people in one day.

E-mail and social networks have made it easier for those to get information out quickly. So each VA should work with honesty and integrity or risk having their reputation ruined with one e-mail.

This is the first time I've seen this thread but it is good to see it here. I know that some of the VAs I work with have had similar experiences where sub-contracting VAs just seem to drop their bundle. I've also had VAs who disappear from the face of the earth for clients and I can't understand where their thinking is. Are they so embarrassed that they've mucked things up? Unfortunately it can give the industry a bad name and is important we all pull our weight and do the right thing.

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Kathie M. Thomas, VA Coach
A Clayton's Secretary, VA Blog

I got sidetracked and didn't get to read ALL the responses here but I wanted to add to those considering hiring a sub, a good ideq is to build in extra time or the project. This helps you have time to re-do in the event your sub fails to complete or does a poor job. I would also echo what I did see where people discuss open communication and constructive criticism with VA's you sub to.

I had an amazing mentor who subbed me some overflow work and she taught me a lot about being professional but also being in business. Remember its NOT personal.

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Administrative Support Group
Jenifer D

Hello everyone,

I haven't read all the replies to this thread but thought that I would share my experiences in sub-contracting.
I was hired by another VA to do the bookkeeping for one of her clients. It was my understanding that it was an on-going project but once I caught her client's books up and finished for the year I never heard another word from her (at least not after the cheque arrived).
So, if I learned nothing else from this, it is this:
COMMUNICATION.
If she wasn't happy with my work I would have really liked to have been told what I did wrong so that I could correct it and if she only wanted someone to help catch up that would have been nice to know also. I did email several times but never heard anything back.
I also did praticum work under two very excellent VA's and their feedback was very helpful in developing my VA business.
In the future if I am ever ask to sub contract again I will read my contract much more carefully and insist on at least weekly communication if not more often.

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Helen
H & L Bookkeeping & VA Services

This is a great topic, since it gives some insight from someone who's "been there." I agree that the sub should treat the lead VA as their client. Even if the "final" client never realizes that the work has been outsourced, as a sub MY client (the lead VA) knows who is doing the work and it reflects on me if it's done badly or not at all.

I would also like to start doing some sub-contract work, and I realize how difficult it can be for an established VA to trust a newbie. I've been on the receiving end of this problem in the corporate world where someone was supposed to do something and just didn't, so I can only imagine how much more frustrating it must be if it's your name on the line.

I don't understand how you can let a colleague down in such a situation. This just proves once more that there is really a lot of scam around that may ruin the reputation of the whole profession.
We should treat subcontracting work like a job for a client. Do your best and put the same effort in as for one of you clients.
If you do a good job it will eventually come back to you !

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Jackie Jaeger
j-cons.com/virtual-assistant.html

Hi everyone! I just finished reading all the posts on this thread; I would like to get some sub jobs in the beginning of the year. I was really surprised that there were so many with communication issues. I have a couple of rules to apply to this.
1. Contact twice daily. Morning and evening.
2. If there is a problem, immediate contact.
3. If you don't understand the project, ask questions.
4. Prepare a sample of the project and get confirmation that this is what the client is looking for, whether it be the lead VA or the client of the lead VA.

As for losing contact with lead VAs, why? I personally plan to keep my own database of clients and VAs. In sales, this is called your center of influence. In prospecting for business you should contact these people once monthly. It is just good business, IMO.

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Serita Diana, the List 2 Close Assistant
REVA Academy

Hi Serita,

Thanks for sharing your tips. They are key to being on one accord with all involved in the project.

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Cherisse
www.timewisevirtualsolutions.com