In my work as an independent healthcare financial advocate, I’ve discovered that success often hinges on the relationships I build and the partners I choose to work with. In a session of The Circle, I jumped into the world of subcontracting in advocacy—an approach that, when done right, can elevate your advocacy practice to entirely new levels. I’m excited to expand on the points I made in that session by highlighting how I identify potential subcontractors, build genuine relationships, and establish clear contract terms for a successful and profitable partnership.
Identifying Potential Partners: The Foundation of Successful Subcontracting in Advocacy
Finding the right partners is the first step toward meaningful subcontracting in advocacy. From my experience, mutual trust, respect, and shared values are crucial. It’s not just about choosing someone with the right skills. Their working style and core principles should also align with mine. Before signing any contract, I hold multiple conversations to ensure we both understand each other’s expectations.
When my practice was more established, I kept a list of potential partners on hand. This helped me reach out quickly whenever a need arose. I encourage newer advocates who want to become subcontractors to do the same. Decide what you seek in a partnership, then outline your own working style and expectations. Openness about these priorities is essential to finding the best match.
Proactive Relationship Building: Strong Foundations Lead to Success
Once I identify potential partners, the next step is building and maintaining those relationships. From personal experience, I can attest that a solid professional relationship is often more vital than the contract itself. I urge advocates—both new and seasoned—to do what I call a “relationship audit,” evaluating your current network and seeing where deeper connections can be made or rekindled.
When I first started, I committed to a plan: creating a shortlist of potential contacts and scheduling regular chats—whether over coffee or via virtual meetings—once a week for about five weeks. This simple practice helped me lay a foundation for meaningful partnerships that would eventually turn into subcontracting opportunities. For those who’ve been practicing advocacy for a while, I suggest revisiting past referrals, providing updates on case outcomes, and staying in touch with your contacts. Doing so not only strengthens current relationships but also paves the way for expanded contracting opportunities.
Clear Communication: Setting the Stage for Success
Effective communication is the backbone of any successful subcontracting relationship. I’m a firm believer in clarifying timelines, roles, and responsibilities upfront. Whenever possible, I recommend creating (or asking for) a simple contract template that outlines who’s responsible for what, as well as deadlines and deliverables. That way, everyone involved has a clear understanding from the outset, minimizing the chance of miscommunication or conflicts down the line.
For seasoned advocates, a process to streamline these procedures—such as using pre-made contract templates and electronic signatures—can save a ton of time. And for newer advocates, consistently practicing this approach will help you master contract creation and ensure everyone stays on the same page.
Action Steps for New Advocates: Laying the Groundwork
Over the years, I’ve developed a few foundational steps that can help newer advocates feel confident diving into subcontracting in advocacy:
- Create Your Shortlist: Write down potential contacts—friends, colleagues, network associates—and consider reaching out to see if they have subcontracting needs.
- Build Relationships: Schedule those coffee or virtual chats to establish rapport.
- Develop a Contract Template: Familiarize yourself with simple contract structures and list your desired roles and expectations.
- Seek Sample Contracts: Examine other standard subcontracting agreements to understand what is commonly included.
If you’re on the other side and looking to hire subcontractors, be sure to confirm their capacity and interest in taking on additional work. Regular team meetings might also be a requirement, so keep communication channels open and transparent to avoid any misunderstandings.
For Established Professionals: Audit and Maintain Relationships
If you’ve been in advocacy for a while, consider performing a “relationship audit” to figure out who in your network might be open to deeper engagement. Even if someone hasn’t referred work to you before, share updates, case studies, or success stories. Maintaining contact demonstrates your ongoing value and often sparks opportunities you weren’t anticipating.
When subcontracting needs arise, it’s essential to check the subcontractor’s interest and capacity. Regularly communicating expectations—like deadlines, meeting schedules, and workload details—is key to ensuring everyone stays on track and remains satisfied with the arrangement.
The Legal Aspect: Ensuring Compliance
One detail I never overlook is legal compliance. I always suggest consulting with an attorney to review your subcontracting agreements, ensuring they meet legal standards and protect everyone’s interests. While it can feel like an extra step in the beginning, it’s worth it for the peace of mind and clarity you’ll have moving forward.
Conclusion: Building Long-Term Success through Relationships
Subcontracting in advocacy isn’t solely about tight contracts—it’s ultimately about forging authentic, lasting relationships. By pinpointing partners who share your values, nurturing those connections, communicating expectations clearly, and putting transparent agreements in place, you can create profitable, fulfilling subcontracting opportunities. Whether you’re a newcomer or have been in advocacy for years, I hope these insights help pave the way to a thriving practice.
Final Thoughts
If this post has given you some guidance on how to subcontract your services effectively, I’d love to hear about your experiences! As an independent healthcare financial advocate, I’m passionate about making your advocacy journey smoother.
For those of you who are independent patient advocates seeking real-time support, consider joining me in The Circle. We connect live each week to discuss topics like this, share strategies, and encourage each other to build sustainable, profitable advocacy practices.
Let’s keep demystifying healthcare, one patient at a time—and lift each other up in the process.
