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(32) comments
I’ve never heard of an author assistant until now. What a great idea but even $100/ 2 hrs is a stretch for me right now. Maybe once I get another book out.
I’d love to win the free promo prize because it’s been hard for me to get my work out there. I’m currently giving my book a makeover (new cover, updating it, and giving it another copy edit sweep) but once that’s done I’ll be marketing. .
Great post! I’ll look into an assistant down the line.
Always,
Sarah
Congrats on the book makeover Sarah! If you have any questions on what I do, reach out any time!
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This is one area I’ve been looking at and deciding I don’t have enough work to justify hiring someone–while simultaneously realizing my time is at a premium, and my skill set doesn’t include making graphics or searching sites for the best places to promote my works. I’ve also probably spent too much money on ads I didn’t know how to utilize properly. Your point about being able to hire someone for smaller jobs makes a ton of sense. It’s something I’m going to have to reevaluate now!
Reply I can be difficult to determine when it’s time to hire help, I like to tell people, if admin tasks are taking up so much of your time that you can’t pursue your passion, then it’s time to pass those admin tasks off to someone else!
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I’ve considered hiring an author assistant in the past, but there were a couple of factors that kept me from moving forward. The cost was one, the other issue was, I hadn’t identified the area(s) where I thought an assistant could help most.
With two books out now, another to be published this year, and audiobook production in the works, I’ve realized my weakest points are marketing and social media. Not surprising there. I think most indie authors fall short in these areas. This contest gives authors a great way to be able to try out the process of working with an assistant.
Thanks for the opportunity to put my name in the hat!
Anne Francis Scott
Reply Wow, Anne, it sounds like you have awesome things in the works! Are there specific tasks you know need to get accomplished but put off since they aren’t fun? Those are perfect things to hand off to an assistant!
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Emilie,
Great post with useful info. I don’t know how any author can go it alone. I push my way in with some authors I’ve become friendly with, and I offer to help do what I can. I don’t care about the money, and I can hear it now, “what the hell is wrong with her?” If I can do something to lighten the load for a writer friend, I’m going to do it because my reward is the author’s success. My day will come, and in the meantime, I am picking up information that will benefit me one day. Besides, I am a giver.
Now, speaking about Dr. J. No, I’m kidding. She’s fantastic, and while not my genre, I am going to review her new anthology. I don’t know of any reason I shouldn’t read and review the book other than being a little scared. LOL!
Sincerely,
Donna
Why are you scared to read the anthology?
All the stories are positive and fun and sexy. And we will be the first ones to say if a story isn’t your cup of tea, go to the next one. ❤
Reply When you told me you commented, this is your comment? This is public harassment. You know, like sexual harassment!
Go away, Mischa with an S! I told you to send my book ASAP, didn’t I? Stop picking on me online, in front of everyone. This is a professional campaign. Now, get on board, or get in your cage!
Reply What a kind heart you have Donna! It’s always nice to talk to you!
Reply Thank you, Emilie! Would you kindly share the kind words you had for me with at Mischa with an S? She needs to hear, from someone other than myself, about my kind heart. ❣️Maybe she should be disqualified. LOL!
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Wow. Thank you, Emiie. I can attest to your wonderful work. Fast, efficient and provided me time for other things. And the bonus is she is upbeat and positive! I’m so happy to have her on my team!
And thank you, D.B. Moone, for your kind words. I hope to see you soon!!!
Dr. J.
Reply It’s always such a pleasure to work with you Dr. J, you always put a smile on my face! I hope we can continue to work together for years!
Reply Thank you, Dr. J,
If I say it, I mean it. You are fantastic! Now, would you kindly tame your wild girl? Please, and thank you! ❣️
Donna
Reply Quick Questions:
What is the number one thing you’re tasked with doing?
What’s the one thing authors tell you they hate doing?
Reply Hey Mischa!
Those two questions have the same exact answer: social media.
I take care of social media management most, simply because so many authors don’t have the time or energy to keep up with social media platforms and their rules constantly changing, so no one wants to take care of social media management, except me, I love it!
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I think I desperately need to hire a VA. Yes, it’s an investment in yourself, and it sounds scary but it’s the need of an hour. But, I’m not sure what kind of work a VA does. I design my own teasers and graphics for social media but it consumes a lot of my writing time. Besides, I don’t know much about book marketing strategies like contacting the bloggers, book promotion sites, FB ads and boosts. I think a VA can help me with these things. I think I need this giveaway to get a detailed insight about how a VA works and how working with a VA can reduce the burden of designing and marketing from my head, so that I can concentrate more on writing and less on marketing 🙂
Reply Oh, the possibilities Mariyam! I love to create social media graphics (it gives me a chance to be a bit more creative than my day to day tasks do) which frees up quite a bit of time for my clients to spend writing! If you have any questions or want to know more about what I do feel free to reach out through my site, or social media. I’d love to talk!
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I’ve thought about using a VA I don’t even know how many times. I just don’t really know what to give the VA for tasks, so this article was helpful. So far though, I don’t really have any tasks I don’t enjoy! Would love to win. 🙂
Reply I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone who loves it all, so that’s huge! It must be pretty awesome! Have a great day!
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I tried using the VA who helps with my corporate businesses but it was too different so I love the idea of an author VA!
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*Here’s to hoping my comment goes through! Great article. We’ve had this as a topic on Book Marketing Chat and I know my big issue is and will be money. However, it is certainly enlightening to see what an author assistant can do. Whether it’s a simple task or a challenging one an assistant can certainly help. Again I myself cannot afford one as I don’t have weekly income but I know I could definitely use the help!
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Emilie,
I had only the vaguest idea of the job description for an author’s assistant, but now feel that I have a much better understanding of the job and its importance to writers. This gives me a way to assess when my writing business has reached the point where it would benefit from having an author assistant. It will also help me make the best possible use of the author assistant’s time. Thanks so much for this extremely informative article.
Sincerely,
Dana Lemaster
Great tips! I’ve long considered a VA but could never figure out which tasks were best. You’ve got me thinking…
Reply It’s always best to give your VA the most time-consuming tasks, or the ones you can’t stand doing. Both of those scenarios are essentially guaranteed to free up a huge chunk of time for you.
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I haven’t come across an author assistant before but I’m intrigued and would love to win one of the giveaways. While it can be scary handing over control, I’m sure I’d find it useful, perhaps for finding places to pitch guest posts relating to my books brand and bloggers open to review requests.
Reply I couldn’t imagine how hard that would be, it’s definitely a good idea to have someone who specializes in things like book marketing, I think it makes things easier on both parties!
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This is the first time I’ve seen advice that didn’t make me feel as though I have to do it all myself!
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I need to start putting aside a fund for an assistant. I could really use the help. People with ADHD like me really need someone to keep them on track. 🙂
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I’m impressed that you were able to trawl through 350+ blogs in just two hours! I guess that’s one of those jobs that authors put off and put off, but if they’d just get started (or outsource it), then the job would be done and they wouldn’t have to stress about it. That’s good ROI for any writer!
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There have been so many times where I almost hired one, or at least seriously looked into hiring VA. I’ve never pulled the trigger on it though because either i didn’t think it was something I could afford and would be an extravagance or that I’m not…I guess big time enough to use one.
I always kind of figured that the people who do this are the ones making at least some consistent money from writing, if not a lot and I am not that. After reading this it makes me wonder if i should look into it more seriously. I didn’t realize a VA could get so much done in a relatively short time span.
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