I get concerned when I learn that VAs are seeking work in areas that might not really be the right source for them. What am I talking about? One of my forum members advised that a new VA was contacting senior VAs from the forum canvassing for work. I suppose I can understand their mindset – that some VAs are probably so busy they have work to spare to hand over to someone else. But their thinking is all wrong and I’ll tell you why.
1. Other VAs are not your prospective clients – they’re your peers and also can be your competition. You need to find real clients through all the same avenues as the successful VAs – hard work, perseverance, networking, reading, learning, and so on.
2. If a VA is going to outsource or subcontract work they are more likely to do so to VAs they have some connection with or have gotten to know over time. Why would they outsource to someone they don’t know or have little knowledge of? After all they will need to be sure that you have the skills and abilities to carry out the work and they will still be responsible for checking that all is in order before it’s passed on to the client.
If the VA belongs to a forum (and I know in this case that new VA does) then they should be spending time getting to know the other members and contributing to the conversations and letting others get to know them. They should also be looking to do the same things that the more senior VAs (senior by length of time in industry, not by age) have done to successfully build their businesses. Trying to get work from another VA seems to me that they are trying to shortcut the process in order to get work as quickly as possible and whilst that might solve the problem (lack of work and income) for the short-term it isn’t going to assist you in developing your business and business knowledge for the long-term.
Here are some posts I’ve written in the past relating to VAs seeking work.
http://vadirectory.net/blog/2007/11/16/sub-contracting-to-other-vas/
http://vadirectory.net/blog/2007/02/10/getting-out-amongst-the-clients/
Laurie says
Great post! I’ve noticed this trend on VA networking sites too – and I think a lot of it is due to people wanting to make a quick buck AND due to them not really getting the VA concept properly. They don’t want to be business owners – they still have an employee mentality.
I really enjoy your blog – thanks for sharing your experiences with those of us who truly want to become VA’s (by building a viable business – not by being an employee!)
Kathie Thomas says
I’m glad you like this blog Laurie – I love our industry and I set out to build a bridge between the general public and VAs so that all could be educated about the industry.
Thanks for paying a visit and leaving your thoughts.