Should I fire this VA

[HeadedForSuccess]

Hi guys.

I'm in the process of making my own website, and I've therefore hired a VA through Odesk. He did have some previous good references, however, when I've been working with him now I feel that he doesn't take this job seriously enough. For example, I'll have to ask him three times about when he thinks the job can be ready, but he doesn't answer.

Also, on Friday I gave him a simple task about giving me information about different joombla pages in different price ranges. He was supposed to give me this information yesterday (Saturday), but I haven't heard anything.

I want him to know that I cannot work with him if he's not able to follow my directions, but I also want to give him one last chance. What's the best way to do this?

[spaChaser]

Let him go and find another VA. If you keep him, this will most likely not be your last problem with him. We had used GetFriday and the VA we had was okay, but the quality kept declining. When I tried to let him go, it became a real headache just to get the company to accept it! There are always better people out there, it just takes some time to find them. I've never used Odesk (or whatever it was?) but I've been very happy with Elance and the quality of people on it.

[HeadedForSuccess]

Let him go and find another VA. If you keep him, this will most likely not be your last problem with him. We had used GetFriday and the VA we had was okay, but the quality kept declining. When I tried to let him go, it became a real headache just to get the company to accept it! There are always better people out there, it just takes some time to find them. I've never used Odesk (or whatever it was?) but I've been very happy with Elance and the quality of people on it.

Yeah, I will fire him.

I'll try another one at Odesk to see if that works out.

[kamakiri]

I'm in the process of making my own website, and I've therefore hired a VA

I missed the whole connection you were trying to make. Why did you need a VA in the first place?

[HeadedForSuccess]

I missed the whole connection you were trying to make. Why did you need a VA in the first place?

Because I don't know how to make a website myself..

[kamakiri]

That might be the first place to start then. VA stands for virtual assistant, not web designer.

[spaChaser]

Because I don't know how to make a website myself..

Have you looked at Joomla or Wordpress? Their both very easy to do and no programming skills are required.

[HeadedForSuccess]

Have you looked at Joomla or Wordpress? Their both very easy to do and no programming skills are required.

My plan is to have a web designer make the web site through joombla.

[liam75005]

Then you should hire a webdesigner ! Not a VA... smeone who has the skills and knowledge.

What I did for my websites was to make one my self to learn the basics of Joomla programming and °I outsourced the other one to a webagency based in Africa to make my muse webiste.

[lex6819]

You can learn to make a website yourself, pretty easily, using these free videos (no optin):

http://www.chrisfarrellmembership.com/public/department131.cfm?awt_l=FilEt&awt_m=1bwZmzPEWfb5jT


It's not as hard as you might think. Plus, there are tons of free templates available on various "JV Giveaway" sites. Try googling the "Easter JV Giveaway" - it's big, lots of stuff you can use to learn to build your site yourself.

Also, I've used Rentacoder for some projects and haven't had any problems with the software developers there. Doesn't oDesk charge you by the hour for the project? Not a great idea - you're bound to find some foot-dragging programmers who will waste your time on a project to get more money.

Rentacoder payment is per project, not per time to complete.

http://www.rentacoder.com

Also try Fiverr - you might find someone willing to make you a simple site for only $5:

http://www.fiverr.com

If it doesn't work out, at least it's only five bucks...

[robertjetsetlife]

Short answer. Believe people when they show you WHO they are the FIRST time. I have 3 va's and that stuff just doesn't happen with my team. Make sure your instructions and deadlines are clear. At the end of each day have them email you 3 things:
1. What you did today?
2. What did you have trouble with?
3. What can I help you with

You'll know you are in trouble on day 1 if you dont get that email.

[Jeremy M]

I agree. They are working for you and there are too many companies out there to deal with someone like that. Did you check out Elance for VA's?

[bjung]

I like odesk. I'm just starting out and hired my first VA last week. So far she's been great. At $2/hour there have been no worries and my initial job announcement was for one month, so it will be easier to part on amicable terms.

[ScottVA]

I found a guy that really wants to work as a VA and web design.. I havent used him yet for any webdesign bu his VA work has been good. - Using him for simple research for a website/blog I am tinkering about in my head..


I had one VA I gave the same job too and she gave me totally incorrect data that actually was worthless to me. - but on odesk you still have to pay for the time..

But what is nice ison Odesk you can monitor the work from your Iphone! - a screenshot now and then.. which is really nice..


Im up to talking to anyone in email about VAs and maybe sharing muse ideas or working together..

[justintimberland52]

don't limit your sources, look in Elance, Bestjobs,odesk, craiglist,

I prefer Odesk and Elance.

[jimbland]

I agree with the previous posts. You need a webdesigner not a VA. Try elance but be specific about what you want.

BTW, quick response is critical for me whether I am hiring full time or a VA. It's a very telling early signal if the provider is not getting back to you right away.

I have a few posts on this topic on jimbland.wordpress.com (http://jimbland.wordpress.com) if you are interested.

[janicejryan]

Don't just focus on Odesk, there are also others like Elance and there are some Filipino V.As that are good too.