Social Media - Job for a VA?

[Keeta]

I have a few social media accounts that are developing, and I can't decide if I should pass on the management to a VA or look at one of the programs available.

All my projects are based around high quality content. Automated dribble doesn't do it for me, and as far as I know, computer programs can't hold meaningful conversations

And my VA is smarter and funnier than me anyway...

Thoughts?

[gossipism]

generally i would only pass on social media tasks if you dont have time (or inclination) to do it yourself.

it also depends on what you use your social media for. spun content for traffic generation? customer engagement?

it may be possible to give out certain tasks to a VA, ie blog posting.

i know a number of people that do this and they find it quite effective.

any particular reason why?

[Keeta]

I don't have time.

My VA's work closely with me on many of my projects with social media, and are part of the creative team. I wouldn't ask anyone to do it who couldn't provide meaning.

This is why I doubt any of the management software programs could do what I need - but I haven't looked into them. It is all new for me.

[gossipism]

if thats the case, then good content is good content, no matter where it comes from. provided its original and on topic of course.

if you could outsource it to free up time, do it!

[websitedesigner]

Hi Keeta what tasks are you talking about getting them to do? I wrote a post yesterday called Twitter hacks for lazy people which are different things you can automate with Twitter, it might be helpful for you.

I do my social media stuff myself but I'm sure if you found the right person it would be something you could outsource. I'm not sure if would ever be as effective though.

[WAHM]

Social media takes up such an amount of time in your day. If you are happy to outsource, then do it.

I can assist and put your vacancy in front of thousands of experienced professionals that may assist you with your social media management.

I also dabble and enjoy managing clients campaigns. I may have some time free soon.

Cheers Leah

[tonyk]

Not sure social media is something that you can really outsource as I believe it requires a personal touch to be highly effective. Just my two cents

[bridiej]

Originally Posted by tonyk

Not sure social media is something that you can really outsource as I believe it requires a personal touch to be highly effective. Just my two cents

I agree, although if you struggle with setting up Facebook Pages etc then you could outsource that bit, but the whole point is that your personality comes through. You wouldn't have someone else attend a birthday party for you so why ask someone else to tweet on your behalf?

[WAHM]

To be totally honest, I would not outsource my own social media either.

I use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn on a daily business for 2 of my businesses. I really love it but its time consuming. I tend to do my SM in the mornings and block parts of the day out. I really really love connecting and sharing and driving discussions.

It would be hard to put your brand into a strangers hands. When I work with my clients doing social media for them, I always do my own research and I talk like they would. I have enjoyed the persona of a builder, an owner of an art studio, a recruitment/sales manager and a cafe owner in the past.

[flower-child]

My VA does the bulk of my fb/twitter posts, but then all of my team are also encouraged to get on comment/post whenever they feel like it.