Some VAs will gather together a team of subcontractors to handle the services they can’t. Others will create specific partnerships and work only with those partners. Recently a new type of VA practice has been popping up, multi-VA practices, where there is one team leader and many affiliates doing specific jobs.

A couple bits of advice when forming partnerships, creating a team, or joining a multi-VA practice. It is so important to research prospective partners and protect yourself, whether you are the team leader or one of the associates. Remember, your reputation is on the line and the people you connect your business name with will affect that.
When you enter into a multi-VA practice, or a partnership, you should first of all make sure that the person you are partnering with shares the same ethics and ideals as you. No matter how valid either one of your ideas are, if you can’t agree on how things are done your effectiveness with your clients and your reputation will suffer.

You should protect yourself in the event that something goes wrong with your partner and you are left holding the bag. Things happen. Sometimes emergencies come up or practices close up shop. Each contract you or your team leader comes up with for your client should clearly state who is responsible for what and who is liable for what. One way to do this is to create a joint-venture agreement, where rules, ethics and escape issues as well as liabilities are outlined in full before the partnership forms.

Being responsible and practicing due diligence when creating partnerships is a great way to market your business. It increases your visibility/exposure as well as your reputation.

Pam Sargant
Graphic Artist/Illustrator/Writer/Song-writer
Owner of Delaney Imaging
Author of Mother’s Survival Kit and Christmas Survival Kit (Coming Soon!)

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