So excited you’re on this journey with me in subcontracting. We’re turning the corner and this You Tube video allows me to give you the tour of where we’re turning the corner. It comes down to tips, networking, podcasts and dedication to help you turn your time into profits with the subcontracting concept. Take a look.
Subcontracting is at a turning point – Be a part of it

In the past decade, small and bigger businesses have turned to subcontracting for a series of benefits. When deciding to subcontract, businesses save money. A subcontractor may seem more expensive than a regular employee, but in the long run it saves businesses money.
My passion is helping businesses make the right decision when subcontracting. You can turn to me for support and advice either as a business owner who needs to subcontract work, or a subcontractor looking for the work. And one thing I truly understand is that doing business is all about the right people. Especially in a service-based business, virtual, or brick and mortar. One cannot grow a business without its most valuable commodity: people. Whether employed full-time, per project or per a period of time, the right job will be done by the right people.
This may sound incredibly simple and true, yet one thing that I have learned is that business owners who take their team seriously grow. Without showing dedication, trust, and a personal side, your business will go no where. Although I have been “away” from my audience so to speak for a little while, I have observed, helped, and learned a lot during this time. And I am very excited to be back sharing from my experience with you.
The subcontracting business is a living and breathing thing, like any other business.
So, what has happened lately to bring more value to the idea of subcontracting? Below you will find my major conclusions after this hiatus.

1. One shift that I have noticed, is that the perception of outsourcing has changed and improved considerably. Outsourcing has continued to acquire a positive aura, and businesses understand that outsourcing can be done locally, at a state-level or nationally, it does not have to mean going overseas. The advantage of outsourcing?
Outsourcing is a cost that only occurs when you need help, rather than being a regular cost. In addition, it saves businesses from paying a number of fees, like employment insurance, social benefits and union fees.
2. Virtual assistance has become more and more popular. Depending on the industry, “virtual help” is sought and valued. But what does it mean to be a Virtual Assistant? Being a Virtual Assistant subcontractor means that an experienced Virtual Assistant hires you to complete projects that they have under contract.
3. Increased product quality and problem prevention. I feel these two go hand-in-hand. Furthermore, as the selection process is rigorous, choosing the right subcontractor will guarantee a quality product that will meet all expectations. Remember that contractors are specialized in their area; and this is where I come in place, as well, making sure you will be connected with the best subcontractor, or the right business, depending on your role.
Another wonderful thing that I have experienced, is the endless opportunities! In the subcontracting world, when one door closes other doors open. Although I have witnessed the retirement of a long-time customer of 10 years, I counted my blessings, and looked for new clients. And my perseverance has paid off! Which brings me to the reality of transitioning from working outside the home full-time to coming home and working remotely, providing subcontracting services.
You too are probably in love with being a part of a team that creates success. What has worked for you? How are you creating new client opportunities? Before you share your thoughts, I can tell you what has worked for me: Networking. One of the organizations that I belong to is the International Virtual Association of Virtual Assistants (IVAA). Rather than reinventing the wheel, the members share their “a-ha” moments and tips. Using Linkedin, I acquire new clients consistently and have the opportunity to work on exciting projects, all the time.
If you are in need of advice or resources, feel free to reach out and I will make sure to get those resources ready for you. Also, for any questions or suggestions specific to subcontracting, email me at info@virtualteam360.com
Virtual “Coffee Chat” – an IVAA Benefit
As an online service provider, it’s important that we all share resources, tools, and networking tips with each other. So, that’s what I’m going to do today! In the past I’ve talked about a few conferences and organizations that I’ve invested money into. I choose that word, rather than “spent” money on, because it truly has been an investment in my business, and in my future. I’d like to talk about why they have been so beneficial to me, and give you something to consider for yourself.
One of my favorite organizations is the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA). I joined about 6 months ago and I’ve found that the cost is extremely reasonable and there’s a vast amount of education and resources to draw from. After all, we want our businesses to constantly propel forward, rather than being stuck in a stand-still. Sometimes taking advantage of something like this is exactly what we need to progress.
One of the biggest benefits has been what they call Coffee Chats. IVAA’s website describes them as, “An informal chat where you can get answers to your business questions from others in your field.” Oftentimes organizations have online discussion groups, Facebook groups, Twitter chats, or the like. What’s unique with this is that it’s a great opportunity to chat casually with whoever is on at the time. You can either ask questions, or bring your own expertise. You could even do both! It’s also a wonderful way to get to know other virtual service providers, and possibly link up and help each other.
The resources they provide are varied and will help any entrepreneur, regardless of your niche. A few of those benefits are online and offline summits, training opportunities, monthly experts, peer discussions, and so much more. One of my favorite is their “Filing Cabinet” which is a library containing ready-made forms and templates that’ll take the guesswork out of it for you.
I highly recommend you check out their site and see what other benefits are included with membership. In the near future I’ll go over some of those in more detail. Remember: these organizations are more than spending money – they are a valuable investment!
Virtual Vocations: a Valuable Resource for Virtual Service Providers
I’m very excited to share this post with you this month. Let me explain why. As virtual service providers, we are often starved for resources that’ll help us expand our business. We want to learn how to avoid making big mistakes, the best tips for our particular niche, and much more. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to find those resources.
This is what Savvy Subcontracting is all about. I’m here to supply you with helpful resources, such as my Virtual Team 360 podcast. Recently I’ve been researching ways for you to expand your business and improve or add to your current skill set. I came across a site that is providing professionals with subcontractors who will fit their specific needs, as well as projects and opportunities for subcontractors themselves. This is something I’ve been successful in, so I thought this website was a perfect resource to offer here.
VirtualVocations.com is a telecommute site which, according to their website, leads to jobs that “offer real pay for real work.” What’s amazing is that they do all the hard work for you. Besides from providing access to potential jobs and team members, they hand-screen it all. It frees up your time while also easing your mind about whether you’ve found a quality, reliable person to work with.
All you have to do is create a profile and search for what you need. Whether you’re looking for a project, or for a subcontracting team member, there’s something there for you. Additionally, Virtual Vocations has many e-courses and valuable downloads that will add to your current knowledge, and teach you some new things too! You can choose to receive alerts when new job opportunities in your field arise, save jobs you’re interested in to return to later, and upload your job application documents to easily apply for projects. It’s really easy to keep things organized.
You can pay for a monthly subscription, as well as try it out for free first to see what you think of it. The real value, I believe, is that they have done their homework, so to speak. They did all the screening and research, so you don’t have to. That’s extremely valuable, especially when you’re a busy professional who might be starting up their business on the side while still balancing a full-time job outside the home. Or you might be a parent who is often distracted from work by your family. Perhaps you simply don’t want to spend your time doing hours of fruitless searching.
Virtual Vocations makes everything easier, and what virtual service provider doesn’t want that? I’m so glad I came across this site and can share it as yet another resource here on Savvy Subcontracting. Be sure to check out the Resources tab for more! And subscribe to my blog so that you stay up-to-date with all the best virtual resources.
Join My 2017 Audiobook Challenge!
What does the New Year mean to you? For me, it’s time to look over the previous year and see what I can improve on for the future. It’s common for people to set resolutions, whether big or small, or to think of ways to challenge themselves. If you think you really did a great job, you might not have significant changes to make.
That’s not my case, however! Looking forward, I want to grow my virtual business, while also becoming healthier and enjoying my everyday life. In order to do that, I’ve set a new challenge for myself. This is something I mulled over and thought was a goal that’d be very helpful for increasing my overall productivity. And I’d like you to come along the journey with me!
I’ve decided to complete an audiobook challenge. I love to read but I don’t have much time for it. Between my duties as a mom, running my small business, and working outside the home, I find myself falling asleep whenever I sit down with a book. I miss out on things I want to learn from them, as well as the simple enjoyment of it. However, I enjoy listening to audiobooks, which is a great solution, and have wanted to listen while going for walks. This doubles my productivity! But I’m falling short with the walking aspect. So, I’ve decided I’ll only allow myself to listen if I’m walking.
I’m excited for this challenge because I have many books that are on my list to read, ranging from personal favorites to business books. There’s one that many people have talked about that I’d like to listen to, which is The Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. A business book on my list is Sexy Boss by Heather Havenwood. There are a variety of business owners who’ve shared their journeys and how they grew their virtual businesses into something bigger and better. I’m inspired by the success of others, and it motivates me to persevere even when things are tough.
I thrive on accountability, and I’m sharing this with you in the hopes that it will help me stay on track. Let’s see what I can do in 2017 in order to find more joy in life and grow my business. And how about you – do you want to do this challenge with me? Or what goals have set of your own? Please share. Together we can push forward into a positive and productive 2017!
Why Join A Virtual Assistant Organization
This year I chose to join a well known organization in the virtual assistant industry, IVAA. This video shares what you can gain from doing the same. Looking forward to networking with you there.