Often times, especially in self-publishing, we get into a mentality of having to do everything by ourselves. This doesn’t have to be the case. You can and should outsource the cover design if you do not have experience in it. The same goes for marketing as well. Sharon C. Jenkins shares some tips on using a virtual author assistant to help you with many tasks that come along with self-publishing.
Busy anyone? If you are like any other person, you are running at superhuman speed to get everything done. In our DIY world, it’s easy to have lofty goals, but life sometimes gets in the way no matter how hard you try to avoid its mishaps. So just when are you going to have time to write that next bestseller? Between your nine-to-five, your family, and the multiple other things that compete for your attention, how will you get it all done and keep your sanity?
The same way authors did it over 100 years ago, with an assistant. With current technology and the Internet, you can hire a virtual assistant from anywhere in the world to help you complete your manuscript, get it published and marketed.
What is a Virtual Author’s Assistant?
A Virtual Author’s Assistant (VAA) is someone who handles all the administrative and professional duties the author can’t find the time to get done. When you consider what’s happening in the publishing world today, both traditional and self-published authors must assume more responsibility for the writing, publishing, and marketing of their books. In this case, the “team does make your publishing dream work faster.” Hire a VAA who specializes in the area that you may need help in and your impossible publishing dream suddenly becomes a possibility.
Sometimes we are under the misguided opinion that doing it ourselves will save us both time and money. If not having enough time is already a concern, have you also considered the high learning curve that goes with adding a DIY publishing piece to your list of things-to-do? A VAA is often more affordable in both time and money and a walking publishing resource manual all packed into one big valuable package.
What Services Can a Virtual Author’s Assistant Provide?
Author’s assistants offer a vast range of services that help with the writing, publishing and marketing of books. Specifically, manuscript creation services such as researching your target reader, getting permission to use the work of others, coordinating peer and target reader reviews, etc. Also book and eBook publishing services such as coordinating the self-publishing process, getting your ISBN and bar code for the printed book, or reviewing the printer’s proof.
VAA’s will also oversee the implementation of your book marketing plan. They offer services such as getting industry reviews, helping the author conduct a virtual book tour, or launch an Amazon bestseller campaign. This is only a snapshot of what a VAA can do for you.
If publishing your book is too much work for you, and time is of the essence, hire a VAA and experience the synergy that comes from collaborating with a PRO, all from the comfort of your smartphone or iPad. If you are looking for a virtual author assistant, you can find one at http://authorsassistants.com/. Happy Writing!
Sharon C. Jenkins, The Literary Midwife, is a serial “authorpreneur” and a consummate entrepreneur. Her main mission in life is to help authors and small businesses increase their “brandwidth” and to successfully pursue their passion for writing excellence.