With this question I hope I got people's attention. So often I hear about people who want to subcontract to others. That's fine, but to find work they do cold calling or emailing for work. They're missing a big step, establishing their name. Just because you subcontract doesn't mean you shouldn't have a well known name.

How his comes into play with October's topic, subcontractor rates, you ask? It has everything to do with getting a good rate. By showing your expertise to others they'll come to you for subcontracting help and want to pay you what you deserve.

So subcontractors, ask yourself what are you doing to establish your name? What expertise niche do you offer?

I am very interested to hear what other say about this. My niche is the Real Estate Professional. I know that bloging, answering questions on Active Rain or Linkedin are supposed to be important but I am a bit shy and not sure what to blog about or comfortable about answering questions. I have sent an intro letter to the agents in my area and have gotten some traffic to my website but that is all I have done thus far.
I would love to subcontract to get experiance but not sure what to do. On the same token I would love to be able to subcontract out also and have something of a "team" together also. Just thinking out loud here I guess.

Collette,

This is an excellent question and I can tell you from the other side of the coin, that I look for interaction through the VAF and other forums to see what a subcontractors contributions are. If I don't see them talking and giving advice as well as taking the initiative on advice giving, for instance starting a thread of their own to give advice, then I don't know them right?

It really is no different than a VA who is trying to establish their business.

I look forward to viewing and reading about all of the subcontractors who reply to this thread.

Andrea~

Andrea, You have given very valuable information to those of us who would like to subcontract for others. As micarter, stated, I'm not always sure what to post as a question but do contribute in answering posts and giving information. I guess I just need to answer more posts for other VAs to become aware of my knowledge and experience.

I have thought about this question..and Andrea seems to be right on the money. It really isn't any different than a VA trying to establish their name. As I was in the process of starting up my business and establishing my name(which I am still doing, by the way) I came across the possiblity of becoming a subcontractor to become more comfortable in doing things in the "virtual" world. Thus looking at the two I came to the conclusion that it is more of networking within the forums and targeting other VA's as opposed to VA's target niche, such as finaical professionals, real estate, lawyers, etc.
So you still do the same type of marketing but "soft". So it is important to get out there in the forums and answer those questions and write those blogs and just get involved, right?

Hi Micarter,

Yes, it is so important, to me, that I see you are involved in the industry some way or another. That you are honing your skills by networking with other Virtual Assistants and being supportive. I love to see VA's and VA Sub's get involved. I don't look for subcontractors anywhere else accept here on the VAF

I hope I have helped,
Andrea

LOL...you know it never accured to me that I don't sign my name...sorry, It's Marian.
You are always a help Andrea! Thank you for you advice.

Marian

It is very nice to meet you Marian lol