Author SOS for VA Support

Having a VA is part of the successful author‘s MO. Early on, they learn that social media and influence building is work—they can’t do it all. Enter the Virtual Assistant … the VA … who has and uses the tools to create imagery, posts, and scheduling that take time. What happens if they go missing?

Accidents happen. A VA may no longer be the right fit. A VA may no longer be available. When needed, scheduling could be off. Or the author’s needs have shifted. Life happens. Changes happen. And in the year of the Fire Horse, it could happen quickly.

Smart authors should always have backup plans. I’ve experienced all of the above … and I confess, that you could count me in the clueless category of knowing all the “how to” in getting into all the various infrastructures of my social media and essential components that my team used on a daily basis to support what I did. Oh, I knew what the tools were—I had bought, acquired, and set up the logins and passwords and then forwarded to them to learn the “how to” and use.

But what if … what if the author needs help quickly and misses a window to work with the VA? What if the VA was not available to do the execution of what was written or created? What if an import deadline is missed?

It’s Oh-oh time!

• • Know … What exactly your VA is doing for you.
  • Know … What days and times your VA is working for you. If it varies, she or he can let you know what their flow for the day is. If you know there is a must do, inform.
  • Know … When your VA is shutting down via your normal way to communicate. For me, I want a warning an hour before the drop away time. If I have something that is urgent and needs to be posted or emailed out within my day timeframe, I can shift and get it done and send it to her before her scheduled time for my work ends. I use Microsoft TEAMS—and keep it open at all times so we can cross-communicate and share items quickly.
  • Know … Timeframes your VA can be communicated within your time zone.
  • Know … Verify what all tools your VA is working with; what the logins and passwords are—you choose them.
  • Know … How to access and use each tool in case you need to do a solo add when your VA is not available to do it for you.

My CTA for you and what I am doing: Create a VISUAL step-by-step for each of the tools. Think of it as your personal policy manual. Make sure there are plenty of screen shots. Your VA will create and go through with you so “you get it”… just in case you must use it as a solo act when she or he is unavailable.

Yes, you can have it stored on your computer – I would strongly suggest you print it out as well—hello 3-ring binder.

Dr. Judith Briles is the award-winning and bestselling author of 48 books and calls Colorado home. When she’s not in the kitchen or in the garden, she’s working with clients as The Book Shepherd, a book and publishing consulting and project management firm that works with authors at all stages of their book to create and publish a book they never regret! She’s the founder of the first Authors’ Hall of Fame exclusively dedicated to ensuring the legacy of authors connected in some way with Colorado.

Judith’s books have been translated into 17 countries with over 1,000,000 copies sold! They have been featured in over 2,000 radio and TV shows including repeat appearances on CNN, CNBC, and Oprah. She has worked with over 1,500 authors and created 500 plus bestsellers. Print publications include Newsweek, People, Time, The Wall Street Journal and … The National Enquirer! Her popular podcast, AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing is dedicated to authors and writers and their success and is ranked in the top ten in four categories on GoodPods.

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