We, as virtual assistants (VAs), generally attempt to grow our business by obtaining more clients or contracts. Now the new strategy is to enlarge our small business by creating a multi-virtual assistant company or organizing a team of VAs to subcontract or outsource projects to. These VAs provide services, which will complement your services rather than compete with them.

More and more virtual assistants are creating multi-virtual assistant companies, while others are subcontracting to other VAs. Normally, virtual assistants who work with multi-virtual assistant organizations or work on a subcontract basis are entrepreneurs themselves. On the other hand, VAs who are in the beginning stages of their business can gain experience and knowledge as business owners while at the same time establish their companies, as well as earn money. Operating a small business requires much more than just knowing how to type or perform any other administrative task.

However, it is a win-win concept because an established virtual assistant (va) can offer more services without having to be skilled in that particular area, as well as have the assistance of up-and-coming VAs. In some cases, a virtual assistant needs a va to help them with administrative tasks. In addition, you have a backup in case of your absence for any reason. Whether you operate a multi-virtual assistant establishment or subcontract to other VAs, you can offer their services in addition to yours.

For example, in an attempt to grow my virtual assistant business and expand my services, I’m applying the subcontracting strategy. I recently organized a team of three VAs with varying skills to subcontract projects to. My core service is word processing services, and the team services include bookkeeping, Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) services, transcription, and website and graphic design. Their services complement mine rather than compete with them. Now I can offer their services in addition to my current offerings. If for any reason I am absent or need assistance with my administrative tasks, every member of the team is able to perform word processing services and provide administrative assistance.

If you are a virtual assistant who is in the process of growing your business or increasing your list of services, consider organizing a team of virtual assistants with various skills. As the virtual assistant industry grows so does the level of available skilled virtual assistants. It is a win-win situation for established virtual assistant companies, up-and-coming virtual assistants, and our clients.

Rita J. Cartwright is a Virtual Assistant and owner of RJ's Word Processing Services, and she began her business in 2002. In 1998, she received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Marketing from Arizona State University with a minor in Spanish. More information about Rita and her company can be found at http://www.rjswordprocessing.com.

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Rita Cartwright, Owner
RJ's Internet Marketing Services

Great article Rita, thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
Tomesia Ingram

Good article which provides food for thought for VAs wanting to expand their practice.

I run a multi-VA practice as well as use subcontractors for team overflow. Having this flexibility has allowed me to grow my business and remain a one-stop shop, providing a wide range of services. It has also allowed my company to niche certain services, as well as continue to offer general admin services for clients needing generalist support. Of course, there are factors one should consider before opening/sharing their business model with others -- including confidentiality concerns, quality assurance, compensation and ultimate responsibility issues. Once these (and others) have been addressed, the possiblities are unlimited.

Great article Rita, thank you.

I am new to the industry and am looking for opportunities to work with other VA's as a subcontractor. I'm not having any success yet but I'm hoping your article will help other VA's realize that we should work together and not compete against one another.

Diane Meglio
Elite Office Solutions

I'm having trouble deciphering multi-va vs. subcontracting. Are the multi-va's employee's or partner's of each other? I guess I assumed that multi-va meant that a company sub-contracted out their work to other va's.

Can someone with a multi-va team explain the difference?

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

That's a great question, Rebecka. I'll be interested in hearing the answer as well.

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Kimberly
Tips & Tricks on Using Facebook for Marketing!

I too have multiple VAs that I work with! It is the only way that I can grow my business. I am at the point where I am wanting to hand over my client work to my VAs so that I can concentrate on my marketing initiatives. I'm about half way there!

For me, I represent my company as my own and I list my team members on my sight, complete with their company information. I always let me my clients know the caliber of people that I work with and who would potentially be working on their projects if I am unavailable.

I do not hire employees as it is contrary to the concept of being a VA :-)

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

This is a very timely article Rita, thanks for putting it here. I seem to be having a mid-life/career crisis at the moment and am in the process of reviewing my clients and the type of work I do for them all. I have another up and coming VA who commented she would be happy to help with the 'boring' stuff I don't like doing because that is what she enjoys. It started me on this very thought stream of whether it would be a good idea to build my business by adding staff rather than finding clients that only want work I enjoy doing. I know in Australia there is a law that says as long at you don't earn more than 80% of your income from one source, you are a sub-contractor not an employee. To start with I think this girl would be a subbie, but if she decided to become a database specialist, I would then class her as a partner.

Food for thought for us all.

Cheers,
Marie

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Marie Chandler
www.officesupportonline.com.au

What would your suggestions be to the VA's that might be interested in sub-contracting for another VA who has a multi-VA business. I've had other VA's email me introducing themselves but since I don't use subcontractors or have the work for them I just send a polite email stating that. To those VA's that do use subcontractors is this a good way to make intial contact?

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

Thanks everyone for your comments. I'm glad my article generated this discussion. In my opinion, multi-VA companies have a team of VA's. They are not employees or partners. It is strictly a sub-contracting arrangement. The VAs on my team are business owners as well. Sub-contracting with me is extra cash for them. However, my goal, also, is to outsource everything and just do marketing.

Once again, thanks everyone and keep up the discussion.

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Rita Cartwright, Owner
RJ's Internet Marketing Services