INTRO
Social media marketing has become an important part of the modern business toolkit. It’s relatively inexpensive and gives your company a way to connect with potential customers on an individual level, outside of just your website or business advertisements. But if you’re starting out and you don’t have the budget to hire someone to manage all of your social media platforms and handle day-to-day customer service tasks, how can you possibly find the time to keep up with this aspect of your business? The answer lies in hiring a virtual assistant.
Is this the right approach for you?
Every business owner knows that hiring a full-time staff is costly and not always possible. The good news is that there are many affordable options out there, especially in today's digital age. One such option is outsourcing your social media management needs through virtual assistants. A virtual assistant may be more affordable than you think, but finding the right person can be tricky.
How do I know what my social media goals are?
What are your social-media goals? Do you want to use social media as an information hub, a customer relations platform, or both? What kind of content do you want to post? What type of analytics do you need in order to measure your success? How much time can you commit each day (or week) towards maintaining social media channels and what is your budget?
What platforms will I use?
The most popular platforms are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Chatting with friends and family is easy but if you're looking to grow your business or promote your brand then there's no better way than social media. Here's how to find the best virtual assistant that fits your needs and doesn't break your bank account.
Who is going to manage my social media?
The most important thing when hiring someone as your social media manager is to make sure you have open lines of communication. It can be difficult, especially if you're in different time zones, but it's vital that you're able to ask questions and get timely responses. You also want someone who is going to be fully invested in your company, so look for someone who shares the same values and goals as you.
What should I look out for in my virtual assistant search?
When hiring someone to handle your social media, you should be aware of any red flags that may indicate that this is not going to be a good fit. For example, many virtual assistants will ask for access to your company's social media account as well as other confidential information before they begin work. That can be problematic because if things don't work out and you need to terminate their services, they will still have access and could make changes without your knowledge.
Where can I find a good virtual assistant at an affordable price?
If you're just getting your business up and running, it can be tough to find time in your day for all of the social media work that needs done. Luckily, there are several online tools available that will help you save time and get more done! There's Hootsuite, which is perfect for scheduling posts in advance and allowing you to manage multiple social profiles from one dashboard. You can also use Buffer or Sprout Social, which are great if you want to do some analytics research.
Contracting your VA vs. hiring them full-time – which is better?
You can either contract with your virtual assistant or hire them full-time. Contracting is a great way to test the waters and see how you like working with your new VA before committing more of your resources. It also allows you to be more flexible in terms of hours worked and tasks completed. Hiring someone full-time is going to cost more upfront, but it's worth exploring if you're looking for an ongoing solution that will require less management.
Hiring your VA – how to do it right!
In order to find your best VA, you'll want to put some thought into how much time you can allocate each week, what kind of work you need help with, and what your budget is. This way you can find someone who matches your needs and won't break the bank.
