Hiring a social media virtual assistant

What is a social media virtual assistant and should you hire one?

A social media virtual assistant is a remote worker who plans, posts, and manages your social channels so you can focus on core business tasks.

Here is why owners bring one on:

• They handle time-heavy tasks like posting, replies, and reports.
• They often cost less than a full-time, in-office hire.
• They help grow your reach and track what works.

Ask any business owner about their day. Most will tell you that social media sits near the top of the list. After all, social platforms let you market products, talk to customers, and gather feedback.

However, social media can also eat up a serious owner’s time as tasks pile up. That does not mean you should drop it. Instead, you should hire a social media virtual assistant to manage the work while you focus where you add the most value.

What is a social media virtual assistant?

A social media virtual assistant is everything a social media manager is, except that they work remotely.

They train to run many digital channels while marketing and selling your brand online. In addition, they act as moderators for your accounts. So they filter content and comments that could hurt your name.

Responsibilities of a social media virtual assistant

Time and money are finite. So it is important to use them well.

In general, a social media virtual assistant handles social media management. They take on time-heavy tasks and give you room to focus on core work. Meanwhile, they often earn less than full-time staff in the office. Here are some common social media virtual assistant duties. Many owners choose to outsource social media work for this reason.

Content research and creation

Creating content is likely the most common task here. They post images and infographics with catchy text to draw clients in. Still, coming up with ideas is not easy. So you need a specialist to do this work for you.

Updating social media profiles

Part of this service is posting fresh content for your audience on a steady basis. Trained in social tools, they know best when to upload or update social media posts. For example, they can set up a content calendar and run it for you.

At the same time, they can update your channels when your details change, such as a new address or phone number.

Growing your online presence

Another reason to hire a social media virtual assistant is to build a strong, professional presence. They know who to target and how things work. As a result, they create pages that leave a lasting mark on your customers. A clear social media strategy guides all of this.

Tracking metrics

Social media metrics show how well a campaign and your strategy perform.

A virtual assistant for social media can track metrics like followers, likes, and engagement. In addition, they make sure each campaign fits your brand and audience.

Finally, they build weekly and monthly reports. So you learn where to invest next.

Things to consider when hiring a social media virtual assistant

You can hire social media virtual assistants on your own or through an agency. Still, keep the following tips in mind to find a good fit. Some firms prefer a specialist social media consultant for bigger campaigns.

Ability to manage multiple channels

Your VA must work across many platforms at once. After all, your clients and buyers use several social apps. So the VA should juggle tasks well and know tools that help them post and reply.

Collaboration

Working from a remote spot does not remove the need for teamwork. So your VA must show strong collaboration skills from day one. For example, experience with tools like Slack is a good sign.

Copywriting skills

A social media VA should write well to carry your message. In addition, good copy keeps your brand clean and free of errors. Being brief matters here too. So they must write short posts that still grab attention. These are core virtual assistant skills to check for.

Analytical mind

Your virtual assistant for social media marketing should be analytical. So they can gather and use data to improve how clients engage.

A social media VA does more than update posts. They also use the right tools and tactics to grow your reach. Ultimately, it is a great sign if your VA knows a range of analytics tools.

Quick learner and creative

New tools reshape digital platforms fast. So your social media VA must demonstrate the ability to learn quickly and try new tactics. Above all, they should be creative and post content that keeps followers hooked.

Where to hire social media virtual assistants

You can hire a social media VA on several platforms. Here are some of them. A skilled social media marketer can often be found through these same channels.

• Virtual assistant sites. Sites like Guru are some of the best places to hire staff for social campaigns. They usually vet applicants and match the best ones to clients.
• Freelance sites. You can also find generalist VAs on freelance sites like Upwork. So you can still hire a team to handle social media and related work.
• Social media platforms. Lastly, you can hire a social media VA through the social channels themselves.

Look for the right social media virtual assistants

With all that said, the time is right to hand your social channels to an outsourced social media virtual assistant. So you can focus on more important work.

Trusted staffing providers like MVP Asia Pacific can connect you with the best social media VA for your business.

Frequently asked questions

What does a social media virtual assistant do?

They plan, create, and post content across your channels. In addition, they reply to comments, track metrics, and build reports.

How much does a social media virtual assistant cost?

Costs vary by skill, region, and hours. Still, most VAs cost far less than a full-time, in-office hire.

What skills should a social media virtual assistant have?

Look for strong writing, teamwork, and analytics skills. In addition, they should manage many platforms and learn new tools fast.

Where can I hire a social media virtual assistant?

You can use VA sites, freelance platforms, or staffing agencies. Meanwhile, some owners recruit straight through social channels.

Is a social media virtual assistant worth it?

Yes, for most busy owners. They free up your time and often lift your reach and engagement.