Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Savvy Subcontracting, C Schultz on April 20, 2009 at 10:52pm

If anyone has used this sites please give some feedback on your opinions of it compared to some of the others.

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Permalink Reply by Carlana Charles on April 22, 2009 at 9:11am

Thanks for sharing!

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Permalink Reply by Deb Lamb on April 26, 2009 at 7:55am

Thanks so much for sharing. As someone who has been laid off from my full-time and part-time job, I am seeking work immediately, so I will check that site out for sure!

Enjoy your Sunday and thanks Diane.

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Permalink Reply by Sandy Cornwell on June 25, 2009 at 1:31pm

THanks for Sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Savvy Subcontracting, C Schultz on July 10, 2009 at 4:54pm

There is another site now called Virtual Vocations. It's not a bidding site but I was curious if anyone has used it?

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Permalink Reply by Diane Hess on November 6, 2009 at 5:36pm

Here is another one - PeoplePerHour.com

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Permalink Reply by Diane Hess on November 6, 2009 at 5:37pm

This one is a scam. The owner puts up the listings from Craigslist, Elance and Guru and charges a rate to have access to her list.

Collette Schultz said:

There is another site now called Virtual Vocations. It's not a bidding site but I was curious if anyone has used it?

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Permalink Reply by Denise Tapper on November 7, 2009 at 9:51pm

Thanks for sharing Diane. I just started my VA business in September and having trouble finding clients. I will definitely look into it!

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Permalink Reply by Joel D Canfield on November 18, 2009 at 3:52pm

I hate being the Voice of Dissent, but one thing I teach my coaching clients is that the minute you start competing on price, you lose.

These places are almost entirely about finding the lowest bid. You're all professionals. You don't have to have the lowest bid when you have the highest qualifications.

If you do have the lowest bid, there are a bunch of psychological issues you'll face:

• If you bid cheap, you think cheap. It's human nature to think I'm not making much money; where can I cut corners?
• Your lowered expectations of yourself will be mirrored back to you by the client; they'll think less of you.
• You'll resent the client for not paying enough. Yes, you placed the bid, but this is just how our minds work.
• You set a precedent—others now consider you 'cheap' instead of 'professional' or 'accurate' or 'fast' or some other positive adjective.
• You burn up time you could spend marketing yourself to more qualified clients—and you'll know, deep inside, that you're wasting time you could be investing in yourself.

It's hard, when you're scrambling to make ends meet, not to get trapped by fear.

You're professionals. You don't have to have the lowest price when you have the highest qualifications.

And, to end on a practical note, my other business partner Jerry Kennedy and I recorded a 50-minute video called "7 Ways to Find Customers in the New Economy" which I believe all VAs will find helpful. You can watch 10 minutes of clips free at our YouTube channel.

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Permalink Reply by Michele Randolph on December 1, 2009 at 7:22am

In total agreement with Joel -- never sell yourself short: we are worth every dollar we have set our prices at. Clients looking for the lowest rate will be the first ones to take advantage of you - and leave you when they find someone cheaper. Stand firm!

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Permalink Reply by Diane Hess on February 17, 2010 at 4:35pm

My thought is that everyone needs to start somewhere. The bidding forums are a good starting point especially for the inexperienced. Yes, you earn less - Yes, it is hard to compete with $2 an hour providers - Yes, you should as what you are worth. However, what are you worth if you don't know anything about working as a virtual assistant? Start at minimum wage and work up from there. I know what you are thinking - but that is realistic. Unless you tap into working with someone who already has the reputation and who is willing to train you.

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