@Sandra -

You have very valid points and I completely agree!

If you don't mind...I'd like to add just a couple quick things to this. When VA's (or any other prospect) who may be planning to submit an RFP and are looking to hire VA's from here at Virtual Assistant Forums, they do look through the various forums and read their posts.

They look to see how the candidate interacts, what their knowledge is, what kinds of questions they ask...and so forth. It's just another aspect of whether they will consider working with someone. It's important then for those who would like to consider working for another VA that they realize they should always have best foot forward in all their forum interactions.

Key things they should be doing include: setting up a complete and thorough profile, ensure that when they are interacting that they always follow forum etiquette, ensure that they respond to questions or issues on someone's post with well thought out answers and assistance (to show their knowledge), ensure they are writing with good grammar & spelling, and be sure that they are not advertising (spamming) in their posts. In other words, consider every interaction as a mini-interview of sorts.

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

Hi Pam. You are so right there, we have to remember at all times that we are representing our company.

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Sandra Milligen
The VA Success Coach

Hi All,

Excellent thread - it has been SUPER helpful!! There are so many things to consider when trying to find clients - Subcontracting wasn't one that came to mind but thanks for putting the idea in my head!!

Best wishes!
Hails

Excellent advice for the subs. Thank you so much. I needed this information very badly. And I am happy to find it so quickly.

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Jessie DSouza
www.vibrantaceva.com

Jessie be sure to keep asking the questions as well. The one thing about the VA industry is that everyone is so willing to help eachother become successful. The same holds true for subcontractors.

I recently lost my full time job and even before I lost my job I was already conducting research into becoming a full time VA. Although I am still not ready to become a full time VA (because I am actively looking for a full time position), I think think this is the PERFECT opportunity for me learn the ropes by becoming a VA to a VA especially since most of my day is free.

I spend my days doing a lot of research in addition to teaching myself how to build a website using iThemes Builder and taking online courses with alison.com.

I am going to take the suggestion posted on the first page and post in the Services Offered area. Aside from that though, what other suggestions would you ladies have for becoming a subcontractor to another VA? Where should I look to offer my services?

I would love to use the time I have to gaining some experience in the VA field.

The biggest suggestion I have is to pin point the top 5 services you'd like to subcontract to others. I found without a focus I was spinning my wheels.


There are now companies that match VAs to other service providers. Remember that a VA is a service provider so they do look at finding subcontractors from some of those sites as well. Create a profile in related VA forums such as this one marketing those services.


One last thing, is that there are a lot of mentor programs. Some of the programs don't pay you for your work. The good thng is a mentor gives you the hands on experience and teach how to provide a service at the same time.

Could you suggest a couple of the service providers that match subcontractors with other VAs, and a couple of the mentor programs?

In the next three months there will be at least two guests discussing those types of matching services on the podcast. At this time there are a few training programs on the site.

Thank you for the link but at the present time that's of no help to me. I am unemployed and cannot afford to spend one single dollar on training because I need to spend it on paying my rent, paying my bills and buying food. I am also actively seeking full time employment.

Basically what I'm looking for is for a way to make good use of the free time I currently have to gain some experience in the field because in a couple of weeks or a couple of months (but hopefully not that long), I'm sure I will be employed again and will not have the time I have now to start gaining some hands on experience either as a subcontractor or find a mentor I could assist as long as I don't have to pay the mentor especially I would not be getting paid myself for the work performed.

I'll have a listen to some of the podcasts tomorrow.