How to Use a Social Media Marketing VA

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, oh my!
So many options! It's a little overwhelming. 

So how do you leverage social media for your business? And how do you delegate tasks to a Virtual Assistant?

The best advice I was ever given was: choose 2 platforms to start. 

You don't have to be everywhere all at once. (Unless you are uber-famous, and then you'd have the $$ to pay full-time staff to help you!)

Which social media platform are you on the most?
Which one is the easiest for you to post on?

I open Facebook first and check it most frequently every day. But Instagram is a little cozier and more artistic and I enjoy posting on Stories the most.
I don't love posting on TikTok, but I enjoy going on once a day and watching a few videos and consuming content. Same with YouTube. I've created a channel, but I'm more likely to watch videos than create them over there. 

I regularly get new clients from Facebook groups, Facebook ads, and Instagram, so that's where I will keep putting my energy into, since I know I can get results!

You don't have to master every single platform, but you do need to decide where you want to show up regularly and then aim for consistency.

Personally, I like to get comfortable with a platform before I start outsourcing pieces of the work to a VA.
I want to establish my goals and have an idea of who I'm talking to and which content gets engagement. Then I'll delegate to my VA to help me keep things rolling.

Your industry and your niche will play a huge role in how you use a VA on your social media platforms.  

If you have a local business, a VA can:

• Post on your Facebook business page for you
• Take pictures of your products and services
• Take videos, edit, post
• Answer client messages
• Respond to comments
• Track your online reviews and respond to them

If you have an online business, a VA can:

• Set up an opt-in or lead generator
• Format drip emails to those who opt-in
• Create landing pages
• Create sales pages
• Create daily content 
• Edit your videos, posts, add hashtags
• Engage with followers
• Respond to DMs

There are so many pieces to social media marketing!  And if you're busy serving clients, it can be such a time and energy drain to constantly be promoting your business as well. 

A VA can pick up the tasks that are getting dropped or carry the ball to the finish line with those final pesky details.

What type of person should I hire to help me?

A social media marketing VA needs to have strategic strengths and be able to think creatively.
This is not the same as a general admin VA who prefers working with straight data, spreadsheets, and formulas.

Choose a VA who is in tune with marketing and knows the trends.
This will alleviate your stress because they will be able to give you ideas and run with yours, too!

When you're first getting started, be patient!

• It takes time to get into a rhythm together. 
• It takes time for your VA to learn your "voice" and create images that reflect your branding.
• Take time to meet on Zoom to strategize and map out ideas and expectations.
• Use a Canva team to share fonts, colors, and images.
• Use Slack to communicate regularly about what they are creating so you can give your feedback.
• Set up a Dropbox folder so your VA has access to your photos, raw video footage, and written content.
• VAs are magical, but they cannot create your marketing out of nothing! If you give them content then they can use it, repurpose it, and distribute it for you!
• A marketing VA can become your partner and will support you. But don't expect them to read your mind!

Start with one project at a time. 

• If you're hiring a VA for the first time, you can start by asking them to update your graphics and branding. 
• A marketing VA is often proficient in Canva and can elevate your images, branding, fonts, and the "look" of your business. (It's a little like hiring an interior decorator!) 
• Next, a marketing VA can create e-books, presentations, and beautiful images for you to use online or at an event. 
• If you focus on giving your VA regular tasks to do, access to your photos, and giving constructive feedback, then you will reap the rewards in the future! 
• Take time to collaborate. Be honest about what you like and what you don't like (and why). Your VA thrives on feedback and wants to please you!

More ideas for you:

If you have a podcast:
A VA can write the show notes, post them to your site to be distributed to other apps, add them to your website, and email them out to your followers. 

If you have a blog:
You can write the blog and they can add the header and the keywords, edit grammar/spelling, publish the blog, email it out to your list, and post it on your socials.

If you use Instagram:
You can record videos and a VA can turn them into Reels by finding trending music and relevant hashtags and writing engaging captions. They can assist you by responding to your followers, creating Stories, and writing posts. 

There are so many things a Marketing VA can do and hopefully, this gave you some ideas to run with.

Remember: 
Every VA is different and has different strengths. Try out a few to see who you connect best with and find out how you can utilize their skills!
Get started with a small project or two and see how things progress. If they aren't working out, be open and honest and see if improvements can be made. If not, try a different VA! (You may have to try a few until you land on your ideal match.)

It's so important to find the right VA for your personality and your business industry!
We can help by giving our best recommendations from our Academy. Request a free match here!

If you're interested in becoming a social media marketing VA, read more about our VA Academy.

And if you need help with your website, SEO, or Google Ads, check out our Marketing Agency.