Hey Julie!!! How's your Tuesday? My direct email is in my profile. :-) You can hit me up that way.

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Pam Blackman - On My Wings International
Integrated Virtual Business Management Solutions | Mentoring | Coaching

Finding subcontracting opportunities is just like finding regular clients but your industry is specific to VAs. My suggestion is find what you truly love to do. Don't do like I did and start too general. When you decide the services you'd like to offer as a sub. Get well known for that subcontracting expertise.

Originally Posted by VirtualinMD

HI everyone! I am still very new to being a VA, i only started this past week! From what I've read on this forums is that one of the best ways to become a VA is to become a VA to a VA. I would LOVE to do that, but how do you go about getting clients who are already VA's? I would love to start part time assisting very busy and successful VA's before I become full time, but I am very confused about where to begin. Would anyone have suggestions? Also would anyone have suggestions about getting clients? I signed up for Elance, and I got one wonderful client, but for the long run, I don't think that would be best choice. Thanks so much for your time and I am so grateful for this forum!

As the original poster, I think the best way for me to learn the business is to become a subcontractor to another VA. I'm a visual person and doing c jobs seems like the best way to do it. From your experience is this the best route or just go on my own?

That's exactly the reason I chose the subcontracting route. The majority of the VAs that hire subs are truly teachers in their own way. They are obviously successful at what they do they can show others how. You still need to show why you'd make a good sub but it's a great way to get hands on experience.

Thank you for the quick response. How did you find a subcontractor to work for? I don't want to just bombard people with my services.

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M. Mondesir, Above Average Assistant

You would be the subcontractor and you're looking for a contractor to assist.

It's a matter of figuring out what you want to offer for services. Get your name well know for an expertise area you have. It can be organization, writing, editing, web creation and other things you like doing to help assist a contractor.

Excellent advice, hbp. Taking on a VA as a client is the same as any other. Offer the services that you do best and treat each client as your only client. Be known for your expertise and the referrals will come.

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Sandra Milligen
The VA Success Coach

Hi everyone. This is a very interesting thread.

I am still in the planning stage with my practice and am currently in the VA Certificate program at Red Deer College. It is a fantastic program. From the classes, I have vision, mission and core values statements, a business plan and a marketing plan. Of course, I will probably tweak the plans before I actually open my practice next fall, but I have found this is a great starting point for the business part.

I would love to have a niche being a VA to VAs. I understand that the terms "VA to a VA" and "subcontracting" are taken to mean the same thing. It seems to be the attitude that makes the difference.

To me, being a "VA to a VA" would be like obtaining any other client - know your market, find potential clients, get the word out about what it is that I have to offer, contact potential clients, build relationships by providing valuable work product and great customer service and then you will get referrals. This is called "The VA Approach to Marketing." It is from "The Virtual Assistants Guide to Marketing 2nd Edition" by Michelle Jamison. Michelle is one of our instructors at Red Deer College and owner of the very successful multi-VA company MJVA. I have taken several classes from her and trust her. I also have read Ms Dosts' book and it is great! She has the right attitude.

To me, the attitudes to the process should be:

The "lead" VA should be looking at a "sub" VA like any other vendor. That VA has some work that needs to be completed and they want to hire someone to do it. Always be professional and don't take advantage. Be upfront with the "sub" - let them know if you need a project completed or if you need a VA to work with. Neither idea is wrong, but communicating it is important. The process of deciding if the VA-vendor can complete the work you need, if you are willing to pay their rate, if they will add value to your business and if they are a "fit" for you is still the same. Once those decisions are made, the "lead" hires a VA to complete that work, receive the invoice and then pay it. There needs to be contracts from both parties or negotiation until there is a meeting of the minds. Everyone needs to be in agreement before any work is contemplated.

The "sub" VA should be looking at the "lead" VA as any other client. We respond to inquiries and then decide if we can provide the necessary services to add value, if they will pay our rates and if the client is a "fit" for us. It is meant to be a relationship where both parties benefit. Having the attitude of subbing to learn from a more experienced VA kind of implies that you are looking for some free mentoring/coaching. That is wrong. Be professional, don't give away your services and don't be desperate. If the "sub" VA responds to inquiries with a "please, sir, may I have some more?" attitude, then they will be treated accordingly. Remember, we teach people how to treat us. If you need/want a mentor/coach, then hire one. If, as a business person, you decide that the "lead" VA is someone who you can provide services to and add value to their business, and you think they are a "fit" for you, then do your due diligence and have them sign your contract as any other client would have to do.

I think that if everyone went into the relationship with an attitude of businessperson to businessperson, then the lines wouldn't be so blurry.

This is just my humble opinion. Am I wrong??

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Sandra Milligen
The VA Success Coach

Thank you Julie for starting this thread and thank you ladies for responding. I am starting out as a VA and I am very excited about it. This forum is very informative and I really learned a lot. I didn't know there was a possible option of becoming a VA's VA. That sounds interesting and I'm going to look more into that. Good Luck Julie on your business. And ladies, I pray you keep up the good work.

thank you ladies for all the information. I too am just starting, and on a part time basis and think being a subcontractor may be the way to go. At first at least.

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Mary Ann