I wouldn't be offended either, but a newer VA has a better chance of subcontracting if she is "seen" around various forums so others can get to know her etc. Simply put, you wouldn't make a major purchase with only 30 seconds of knowledge, the same applies to newer VAs or VAs looking for subcontracting work. It is unrealistic for someone to choose to work with another person without knowing anything about that person.

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

Originally Posted by VBP

I wouldn't be offended either, but a newer VA has a better chance of subcontracting if she is "seen" around various forums so others can get to know her etc. Simply put, you wouldn't make a major purchase with only 30 seconds of knowledge, the same applies to newer VAs or VAs looking for subcontracting work. It is unrealistic for someone to choose to work with another person without knowing anything about that person.

That certainly seems reasonable and understandable.

Originally Posted by VBP

I wouldn't be offended either, but a newer VA has a better chance of subcontracting if she is "seen" around various forums so others can get to know her etc. Simply put, you wouldn't make a major purchase with only 30 seconds of knowledge, the same applies to newer VAs or VAs looking for subcontracting work. It is unrealistic for someone to choose to work with another person without knowing anything about that person.

This is how I feel, as well. I get regular requests to see if Goddess is 'hiring' and an occasional 'are you in need of a subcontractor.' As long as the request is up front and legitimate, i am not offended in the least. (And no, I am not hiring )

__________________
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I would not be offended by a single request. But I don't subcontract anything either. I may refer work to another VA, but that would be it. I strive not to take on work I can't handle myself.

__________________
Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

I welcome other VA's to add to our business. When I receive another VA's information through email or fax I don't have a problem collecting the information and then adding their skills to mine. I feel if I can make any difference in someone's business then in return they have made a difference in mine.

Sorry that happened to you Kate. It was a silly mistake on that persons part for sure. But, speaking of personal information: We all advertise our website's, blogs, emails for Yahoo, MSN and Skype on here just by filling out the information when we first joined the VAF. So, she really didn't have to ask did she? LOL Anyway sorry you went through that.

Good Luck~
Andrea

__________________
Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Originally Posted by Kerans VA

I agree with Rebecka and Tess, no, I would not be offended if the request was phrased properly. However, a differing scenario is this: I was contacted via PM by another VA indicating she had some pertinent information regarding our particular specialty and would I be interested in learning more? I was familiar with this VA and said sure, no problem and sent her my email address as asked. Next thing I know I am getting repeated emails from her asking me to read her latest blog postings (which have nothing to do with our specialty) and am now getting inundated with requests to join various social networking groups from her. As far as I am concerned , she misrepresented her request for my email address and if she simply wanted a membership list for her blog she should have worded the request as such. I probably would have gladly subscribed to a mailing list for a new VA blog, but the manner in which she obtained my address was underhanded and has resulted in my boycotting anything she writes. Not the result I suspect she was aiming for.

I'm glad I stumbled upon this topic. I would not be offended, if asked about work if it is handled in a professional manner. ( by submitting a CV not nescessarily a resume, cover letter and proof of education) However, I typically get requests from people whom are not VA whom are looking for help in getting business. In otherwords , wanting me to provide him or her with a "baseline" client list. I believe that we all need to help one another, but don't be rude or try to seal my clients after I have helped you. I now tell people I am not hiring and when I will have to subcontract something out but they are welcome to submit his or her CV Cover letter for my resume file for future reference. ( this way I can keep track of the "fishers" (Fishing to steal my idea, clients, business practices) Its working great thus far (6 months and counting)

Originally Posted by VBP

I wouldn't be offended either, but a newer VA has a better chance of subcontracting if she is "seen" around various forums so others can get to know her etc. Simply put, you wouldn't make a major purchase with only 30 seconds of knowledge, the same applies to newer VAs or VAs looking for subcontracting work. It is unrealistic for someone to choose to work with another person without knowing anything about that person.

This is something I try to discourage subcontractors doing. It's always better to establish yourself or network in some way or another. Some multi-VA firms are getting so large they can't even respond to such emails.

I'm looking to subcontract right now since I am building my business so I am glad I found this thread. I am definitely trying to be more active in several forums but I also will try to contact some more established VA's. But I will do it in the way suggested in this forum, with the proper resume and researching beforehand the services provided by the VA. That just makes sense to me, you research any company before you interview with them for a job right? Same thing.