The Weekly Schedule of A Blogger’s Assistant Revealed
Question:
What would you typically do each week for a blogger? I’ve been wanting an assistant but don’t really know what to have an assistant do even though I feel like I need one.
How I work with a blogger is dependent on what she/he needs. I specialize in blog, autoresponder, and social media management. So, she can choose one of these packages or elect to retain my services for 5-hour blocks of time. Let’s review the packages first:
Note: The following is specific to me, but any virtual assistant can do these things (give or take) depending on their specific packages.
What does a #bloggers #assistant do within a week? What should I outsource? Click To Tweet
bykst / Pixabay
Blog Management
You can think of me as your ‘ghost blogger’ just without the writing part, that is left to you. Aside from writing your content I will:
- proofread your draft
- format it using headings and adding white space
- select an appropriate image
- create a Pinterest-ready image as well as a Facebook and Twitter image
- add “ALT” text aka optimize your image
- optimize your post for search engines (which is simply adding your keywords, SERPs meta description)
- set the featured image
- add hyperlinks and verify that they work properly
Basically, I do all the behind the scenes tasks of preparing a post so all you need to do is write and interact with your readers.
Autoresponder Management
As a blogger or small business, your mailing list is a valuable resource which often takes a lot of time to nurture. I help upload, format, and schedules messages. This includes:
- uploading your content
- formatting your content
- adding links and checking that they work
- adding any photos or attachments
- assisting with Holiday campaigns and drip emails
Social Media Management
For most bloggers this is a big time sucker. There are so many platforms to choose from and although there are tools to automate this, you still need to post content manually. What does this look like?
- schedule posts in a scheduler like Hootsuite, Buffer, CoSchedule, or Socialoomph
- research groups for you to join (and monitor them for conversations of interest)
- social chore threads (Twitter, Click Throughs, Facebook, StumbleUpon, GooglePlus, Blog
- commenting, Pinterest, Instagram)
Blog Maintenance
I update plugins, themes, and WordPress if you’re on a self-hosted site. A full backup of your database and blog are encouraged before any work is done.
If you’re on another platform, like Weebly, Wix, BlogSpot, etc. then I will be your tech person. This includes backing up your content (theme if allowed) and any issues you are having.
Social Media Maintenance
- maintain a clean account by following new people and unfollowing inactive accounts
- updating headers and profile pictures
Autoresponder Maintenance
- maintain a clean list by removing bounced emails and unsubscribing uninterested subscribers
- update your template (newsletter, ezine, broadcasts, autoresponder)
Blog (Content) Promotion
Blog posts need a lot of promotion and not just when you first publish it. This includes social media promotion, email promotion, content upgrades, and more. Basically, I follow my Speed Racer Traffic Checklist (unless you have specific instructions).
Content Planning
Brainstorming content ideas for your blog and your social media platforms is a lot of work. Adding it all into a well-organized editorial calendar is imperative if you want to maintain a consistent online presence.
I can help with this by meeting with you once per month or once per quarter to create a content schedule that meets your needs.
HeatherPaque / Pixabay
What are retainers and how do they work?
A retainer is a block of time you prepay for. You can do a one-time block, but these are usually done as a monthly or quarterly subscription. You’d only invest in these once you know your assistant and approve of the work she does.
As with the packages, most virtual assistants have their own way of working on a retainer. Here’s I do it:
A client purchases a block of time in 5-hour increments. Before I start working, I speak with her on the phone or in an online video call to create a custom work order. This may include work for the blog, the autoresponder, social media, promotion, maintenance, brainstorming content ideas, keyword research, tech support, OR any combination of these.
Once we have the work order and contract signed then she is allotted 5-hours. She can use these hours anytime within the next 30-days. She is given a special contact email and phone number in order to send assignments my way. All work is done during business hours excluding weekends and holidays. If there is a rush project or something outside of the scope of the work order (contract), it will be billed at my hourly rate.
That’s it in a nutshell. ^_^ As my ambition is to see all my clients at their best, all work orders are customized to their particular needs roughly based on my packages.
Ask Your Questions Below
If you have any questions you’d like to ask a virtual assistant, please feel free to add it to the comments below. I’ll answer it in an upcoming blog post.
Vivi says
This is interesting. I never knew it was an option but good to know 🙂
#YouAreLoved says
Sammy, with the ‘gig economy’ opening up pathways for solopreneurs to customize their ‘job’ anything is possible.
Dia All The Things I Do says
Thanks so much for breaking this down. Right now I have a VA doing some social media engagement for me but have been debating giving her more but also debating trying to make income doing some of these things. It’s a lot to consider because it’s really important to balance my time.
#YouAreLoved says
Dia, (love your blog btw) balance is definitely the key here. Social media engagement should mainly be you and your voice. Now, social media “chore threads” are a completely different thing.
Here’s what I think. If you give this part to an assistant already, it’s probably not something you want to do for income. It really is time-consuming (chore threads) so I always suggest that you try it out for 30-days. If you aren’t complete burned out by it, it might be something to add to your services.
There are definitely better and less tiresome ways to earn money - Blogging with Brands is one.
Anna R Palmer says
This is fascinating. I never knew this was something I can hire out…at some point this would be useful. I mean, it is already useful…but at some point soonish I might actually be able to afford this!
SaraAssistsYou says
Anna, exactly what I like hearing. Once a blogger starts moving past blogging as a hobby and into a business, the dynamics change. So, knowing that this is something that you can (and want) to do is the first step. Many people know they need help, but aren’t quite ready to hand over their ‘baby’ to someone else.
Brie says
Wow, this is such great information! You sound like an amazing assistant, you’re so organized!
xo Brie
http://www.sophistifunkblog.com
#YouAreLoved says
Brie, aww, you’re so sweet. Glad you liked the post.
Lauren says
How much does your retainer cost, if that’s ok to ask? When I start creating an income with my blog, this is first on my list to do!
-Lauren, growingupexpat.com
SaraAssistsYou says
Lauren,my hourly rate is $35/hour and the retainer rate is $25/hour. This means that a block of time (5-hours) is $125. The retainer rate is lower as it is billed in 3-month period subscriptions.
Not every V.A. will discount their retainer, but some do.
Maya says
check, check, and check! I love this job 🙂
Magical V.A. says
So true, Maya. ^_^
Carol Cassara says
I love using a VA when I am on vacay~ In fact, I just emailed you to inquire about how we might work together. 😉
#YouAreLoved says
Carol, I didn’t receive a notification. I’ll double check my spam folder just in case. VA’s are great.
Kassi says
I had no idea there are so many things VAs keep track of and can take care of for you! Thanks for sharing!
Magical V.A. says
Kassi, thank you. There are number of different specialities in the V.A. world.
wendy says
I never knew some of this. Right now I do my own but at one time I helped a girl with her blog . This is interesting to read. Thank you for posting!
Magical V.A. says
Wendy, we all start out doing everything ourselves don’t we? Many of the bloggers I work with do a lot of sponsored posts and reviews which can take quite a bit of time prepping for.
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
This is ever so interesting and thank you for giving so much detail, you sound very organized and thorough which would give one confidence in you.
I love you sharing this on the Blogger’s Pit Stop we love quality posts.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Magical V.A. says
Kathleen, thank you for visiting. I like the idea of Blogger’s Pit Stop because this year I started a little challenge for myself called Traffic Map. ^_^ We’re sisters. LOL
Thank you for the kind words.
Shna says
I’ve used the services of a VA. Didn’t know that your type of service was available *bookmarked*
Great post, clear explanations of exactly what services you provide. Good one!
Magical V.A. says
Shna, that is great. I just visited your coloring pages PLR site not too long ago. I really enjoyed your post on customer service.
Nicole Escat says
The social media threads are very time consuming., that is why we, the VAs are here to help them manage their socaial media accounts and posts, as well as the promotion.
Magical V.A. says
Nicole, lovely to meet another V.A. Yes, they are time-consuming and for those who take part in this form of promotion, it is very helpful to have someone to help.
Cathy Lawdanski says
Great post. Now I know what a virtual assistant can do for me!
Magical V.A. says
Cathy, Maybe one day you’ll need one for your very successful blog. ^_^
Kathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says
Hi Sara, Here is a little more exposure for you. Congratulations this post was among the top clicked in the Blogger’s Pit Stop #24. Be looking for a FEATURE on Friday. Well done.
Sisters 🙂
Kathleen
Magical V.A. says
Kathleen, how exciting. It was my first time participating too so it makes me all happy inside. Looking forward to participating again.
Bill @ The Money Professors says
Great info. I think many bloggers get bogged down in all the behind the scenes stuff. You are correct that to view your blog as a business means reinvesting in the business. As income starts to increase, use a portion to outsource the things that don’t need your personal attention so you have more time to spend on the things that really matter - which should increase your income even more - this starts a great cycle of increasing your income!
#YouAreLoved says
Bill, I couldn’t have said it better. Such wise advice. When I first started blogging back in 2007, I held my money with clenched fists. I didn’t realize that this was actually keeping me from moving on. Once I decided to invest in my blog and invest in me, I saw growth. It is a great cycle and one that entrepreneurs need to embrace (and bloggers).