Question:

I am looking for any "Google Answers" style of virtual assistants (VA)
site where I can submit specific one-time projects and get help from a
pool of available VAs.  I am NOT looking for a want-ads site or a
place to post a position.  I am looking specifically for a place to
post projects to an ACTIVE pool of virtual assistants that choose to
accept a project at a specified price (or possibly even a
counter-offer).


Background:

I know "Google Answers" may be appropriate for some of my research
needs, but I assume it is not OK for things like traditional virtual
assistant tasks, such as email filtering, etc.  My research on VAs are
that they charge $35-75/hr with a 12 hr per month committment. 
However, this is too much for me, as the initial projects are coming
out of my own pocket.  I much prefer the project-based pricing that
Google Answers' format provides.  (For bonus points, it'd be nice to
*additionally* get a "Google Answers" style of virtual VOLUNTEERS
resource pool.)

Please ask ANY questions to help clarify my needs!

-Jonathan

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Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 11 Dec 2003 16:15 PST

Hi!

Are these the types of services you're looking for?

http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/duties.html

http://www.elance.com/c/static/main/displayhtml.pl?file=eol.html&module=home

Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by byrd-ga on 12 Dec 2003 09:56 PST

Hi jlb,

There are a number of sites similar to what you're talking about,
where someone who has a project can submit it to a pool of active
pre-qualified participants, who will offer (or not) to work based on
your parameters and offered pay.  None of the ones I'm thinking about
require any such commitment of either pay and/or time as you've
mentioned.  However, most cover a variety of work rather than
concentrating on just the virtual assistant type of work you're
looking for, though that can be part of it.  Would you be interested
in information about and links to sites of this kind as an answer, or
do you specifically need a site(s) dedicated to virtual assistants
only?

Regards,
Byrd

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Clarification of Question by jlb0001-ga on 12 Dec 2003 16:50 PST

As long as there is an active and competetive pool of persons that
will handle clerical type tasks, it doesn't matter to me if it also
includes more skilled labor resources as well.  Thanks for reviewing
my question.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I have found the following websites that has a pool of virtual
assistants for your clerical needs. These websites also enables you to
post your projects. The virtual assistants will work on a per project
basis.

Virtual Assistant Jobs
http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/duties.html 

Virtual Assistants.com
http://www.virtualassistants.com/ 

Elance
http://www.elance.com/c/static/main/displayhtml.pl?file=eol.html&module=home 

The Freelance Marketplace
http://thefreelancemarketplace.com/ 

NavExpress
http://freelance.navexpress.com/ 

NaSnap
http://www.nasnap.com/ 

The Pro Site
http://www.theprosite.com/ 

All Freelance Work
http://www.allfreelancework.com/ 

Worklance
http://www.worklance.com/ 

Search terms used:                           
Freelance clerical marketplace "virtual assistant" post jobs
                 
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification you have further questions or
if you would need further information.
                         
Thanks for visiting us.                         
                         
Regards,                         
Easterangel-ga                         
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by jlb0001-ga on 13 Dec 2003 09:46 PST

I mentioned twice that I needed an ACTIVE pool of persons in which to
submit my requests.  For the latter links provided, (NavExpress,
NaSnap, The Pro Site, Worklance), the sites are obviously dead with no
activity and virtually no-one in their pool.  The other links pass the
"smell test", but I haven't had the time to evaluate them beyond an
intitial quick review.

As a note, I'm sure I'm not alone in expecting quality over quantity. 
Also, it might help if you made comments on each site.  Perhaps for
the price I quoted, that may be too much to ask.

Do you feel this list are my best picks or should I resubmit the
question at a higher bid to get a better answer?  Is there anything
else you can add to this list?

-Jonathan

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 14 Dec 2003 07:29 PST

Hi again!

I will try to find more websites that would be applicable to your
needs. Thank you for your patience.

---

Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 14 Dec 2003 15:50 PST

Hi once more and thank you for waiting.

I have found the following additional sites you can use. Whenever
possible, I will direct you to their profile page so you can get a
better idea about the website.

123Lance
http://www.123lance.com/home/index.php?PHPSESSID=e89c1f21dd98fa86c9939c4a71dd5173 
http://www.123lance.com/home/index.php?a=about

Contracted Work
http://www.contractedwork.com/company.cfm
http://www.contractedwork.com/rt.cfm?CatID=2

EKnowledge
http://www.ecknowledge.com/about.php?sid=
http://www.ecknowledge.com/buyp2.php?idg=2&sid=

EMoonlighter
http://www.emoonlighter.com/
http://www.emoonlighter.com/Mainframe.cfm?bodydef=1

Freelance Bank
http://freelancebank.com/

Projects Pool
http://www.projectspool.com/about.php
http://www.projectspool.com/index.php

Freelance Work Exchange
http://www.freelanceworkexchange.com/work-at-home-jobs.html
http://www.freelanceworkexchange.com/about.html

I hope that these additional links enhances my original answer.

Thanks again,

Best Regards,
Easterangel-ga

I appreciate the time this researcher took in answering my question;
however, I don't think I got the best quality of answers.  It was
probably my fault for not bidding high enough; however, I do expect
quality over quantity.  (See posted Q&A to make your own judegments.)

It appears as though you want the benefit of a VA without having to
pay for one. Is that right?  What experience could you offer a VA that
would be an appealing trade off for not paying them what they are
worth?  Are you doing something so unique that they would consider
working for a reduced rate in order to gain the experience? If not,
you will probably end up paying the going rate.  Depending on your
requirements, perhaps an intern or temp may work better...

For the record, here are some additional finds I found through the
newsgroups by looking for "elance.com (alternatives or competition)":

 ework.com
 freeagent.com
 hireability.com

So far, I am most impressed by elance.com and the amount of activity
it has.  However, I have not spent enough time to determine which of
these are the most viable and offer the most choices.