Oct
20
Powerful Tips On Developing A List Of Motivated Subcontractors
Now that you are in the frame of mind to hire virtual assistant subcontractors, you need to start compiling a list of who you have in mind. Your list will be an essential document when you find that you have too much to cope with, or if you’re looking for skills that you don’t possess.
You’ll need to take great care of your list – make sure it’s properly vetted so you know you can depend on everyone on the list. The list must be dynamic and you must keep in touch with the members, so that you know if they are available or are looking for work. Here are a few ideas to help you start your list:
1. Ask your colleagues for recommendations, whether you need people with the same skills you have or complementary skills.
2. Find groups of people who have specialized skills. You might be looking for somebody to design websites, so you should find a corresponding web design forum or Yahoo group and see if you can come across forum members who like to subcontract.
3. You might always come across newcomers to the industry who are willing to subcontract for low rates, but you should always try and reveal experienced people as well. This may be money well spent in the long run and will help to safeguard your reputation.
4. Give each potential member of your list a trial run, so you know whether or not you can work together and whether or not the subcontractor has the skill set and level that you need.
5. Keep in touch with each subcontractor, either by mailing list, Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin, so that you can keep up with how they’re doing.
6. You may need to throw a project out to your virtual assistant subcontractors periodically so they don’t forget about you.
7. Share updates on your business with your virtual assistant subcontractors so they can keep track of you as well. You may even warn them ahead of time when you know that you may have a large project coming. (Understand though that if a sure thing comes, your subcontractor may go ahead and take the certainty of that project instead of waiting for yours.)
8. Keep more than one person in each skill set on your list. What happens if your favorite subcontractor for graphic design work is booked up when you have a significant contract come along? You will always have a backup that you can contact in this instance.
9. To ensure that your list members do not go and work directly with one of your clients, you should have a written contract with them and you should also have a written agreement before you start any projects. Come up with a standardized agreement, which can be configured according to individual project requirements.
10. Always be on the lookout for new people that you can add to your subcontractor list. There will come a time when this list is absolutely invaluable, especially at those times of the year when you just have too much on your plate and are running out of time. You will be amazed how much more new work you can take on.
One of the biggest keys to being successful is not in just finding the right people to join your team, but keeping them. When done correctly, hiring subcontractors to join your team will allow your business to grow, since you won’t have to turn away a great client or the next awesome project because you don’t have the time or skills to complete the tasks they need help with.