Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Would you please help me out with some informal marketing research? There is a lot of discussion around SUN forums about DIY vs outsourcing. Most of it is centered on developing websites.

 

 

There are several independent VA`s here on SUN and I work with a Virtual Staffing Agency, Team Double-Click. Since I don`t see much mention of VA`s I thought I`d toss this out there…

 

Inquiring minds want to know, thank you!

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Sandra Pearson
The Mompreneur Next Door
www.themompreneurnextdoor.com
sandra@themompreneurnextdoor.com

Hi Sandra -

This is a great question! Here`s my $0.02:

One, I think that because VA services are relatively new, a lot of people don`t know what is involved and what services are available. I encountered this when I started my staging business - no one knew what I was doing! You are smart to be doing some informal research, and I`d encourage you to use what you learn to start educating people.

Two, if you`re marketing to start-ups, you`re wrangling with a thrifty lot. We all want to save a few bucks by doing it ourselves (as you mentioned). You may want to kick it up a notch by targeting slightly more established businesses who are starting to get overwhelmed by the work.

Helpful?

:) Jennifer

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As a VA, I love helping start-ups get their feet on the ground; however, you`re right, Jennifer.  Start-ups generally don`t have the cash - I know, I was there not so long ago.  The solopreneurs who are just beyond getting established are some of the most ideal clients for VAs.  The solo practitioner in this phase begins to get bogged down with the administrative work required to keep the business thriving.  This is a great time to consider working with a professional VA because the value that one will bring in collaboration alone is worth the fee.  A VA can help establish good practices and procedures that will move his/her client`s business on that forward trajectory.

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Michael A. Silva
Silva Consultants

www.silvaconsultants.com

Ah, but that`s the difference between a temporary worker and a professional VA.  A VA should be able to take the ball and run.  If he/she can`t, then you`ve got the wrong VA.  Of course, there will be discussions, but your VA already knows how to help you and will have a variety of ways to implement that help.

I allow an hour per client each week to get on the phone with them and discuss whatever we may have missed using e-mail.  I have found that several of my clients only need ten minutes.

When you look for a VA, make sure that you have a lengthy consultation (which should be at no charge to you) with the VA.  The VA will ask questions about you, your company and the work you`d like to delegate.  Then he/she will talk a bit about how they like to work.  You`ll get a real good feel as to whether you and the VA are a good fit for each other . . . and so will the VA.

Believe me, I understand where you`re coming from - I used temps when I was still in the corporate world.  A good temp is a rare find.