Penning The Manuscript takes a lot of writers’ time and requires focus, dedication and discipline. They have to be “in the zone” to weave a narrative out of their vision, composing their thoughts and musings and putting them into words. All this while resisting the ever-present specter of writer’s block. An author, self-published or otherwise, cannot be sidetracked by major or minor distractions, which can potentially delay the process. And this is where Virtual Assistants can prove indispensable, for like entrepreneurs authors can delegate vital non-writing tasks to them and remain focused on the writing.
Important Roles VAs Handle as Authors Focus on Their Masterpieces
Once finished, the author’s opus will take the center stage, whether it’s a novel, children’s book, autobiography. But as any creative knows all too well, the process towards completion can be fraught with perils. And the reality is that the market is full of aspiring authors, each with a story to tell. So to succeed, both book and wordsmith have to stand out even before the cover has been opened. And this involves tasks that a writer may not necessarily excel in, but Virtual Assistants are adept at handling, such as:Creating an Eye-Catching and Immersive Website
Like an attention-grabbing headline or engaging synopsis on the back cover, a website is key in drawing readers and customers. A poorly-made site resembling something from the 90s, or a generic looking one, will be passed over. But one that’s slickly and functionally designed by a skilled VA, with an ergonomic interface, layout and appearance that highlights aspects of the book? That will definitely make more than a good impression and get people interested in the author and their masterpiece! So authors with websites in dire need of updates and edits, or blogs in need of more content, optimization or proper plans and schedules for posting, Virtual Assistants are just what the doctor ordered.Managing Social Media Presence
Nowadays the book is more than just what’s in its pages – it’s way bigger than that! A book can be a brand, with the author being an indispensable part of it. In fact, the person behind narrative can be a major draw for new readers. If he or she can gain a following, they’ll naturally look into the author’s works. Cultivating this brand identity, of the book and the author, is crucial for attaining success and maintaining its inertia. And social media is key to doing this. J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, G.R.R. Martin, Cory Doctorow, William Gibson, they’re prolific in social media. Rowling is the undisputed Queen of Twitter. They use it to connect with their audience, keep their finger on the pulse of culture and society, network with fellow authors and promote each other’s works, and more. They are inseparable from their works, their prominence furthers their books’ successes – and vice versa. Yet, of course, an aspiring author chugging away at that manuscript might not have time for curating an ideal Instagram account or engaging in in-depth discussions in comment threads. For this, a Virtual Assistant is practically a lifesaver who can manage an author’s social media presence, boost his or her profile, engage with the audience, and in doing so promote the book. This is why social media marketing is important for authors, just as it is for SMEs!Secretarial Tasks
- Scheduling Meetings
- Organizing Inboxes
- Calendars
- Making Itineraries
- Project Planning
