This is the part where I struggled the most when I was searching for a subcontractor to help me with my VA practice.  Where the heck was I going to find the perfect VA sub?

What I would suggest first is to put the word out there with everyone and anyone that you know telling them that you are starting to look for a VA sub.  Do you have any VA buddies out there?  If they are not compatible or available to be your sub for whatever reason, maybe they know someone who is!  Word of mouth is always your best bet.

Next, if you don’t know anyone personally, and nobody you know knows anyone either (wow, say that 3 times really fast!), then you should go about trying to get to know some new folks and forge new business connections.  Are you a member of any of the excellent forums out there for VAs?  If you’re not, you should be.  Cruise around in there, find out who is talking about already doing some contracting work or wanting to do some contracting work, and then start the conversation.  Once you get to know a couple of them you never know – they might be just what you’re looking for!

Finally, if you are in a crunch and you just haven’t been able to make any connections with a potential sub, then I would suggest that you post an RFP at the VA forums.  Be prepared for an onslaught of applicants though, and be sure to be as specific as possible in what you’re looking for so that it will be easier to narrow down your search.

Which leads me to Part 6 in this series: Choosing the sub that is right for you and your business.

One last note: if anyone has any other methods they would like to add on what they think is the best way to search out a VA sub, please do share!  I’d love to hear your tactics!