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Read MoreVirtual Assistant vs Social Media Manager
Publish Date
July 23, 2022
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Introduction
Those of us who work within the industry know that a virtual assistant is very different from a social media manager. To the general public with no clue what type of services these two jobs provide, it’s very easy to assume they are both the same thing.
In this blog post, we will go over the difference between a virtual assistant vs a social media manager, what services both roles offer, and what each role specializes in. We’ll also touch on the benefits of both jobs.
What is a virtual assistant?
A virtual assistant (VA) is an individual who provides help to your business from a remote location. They would be responsible for completing various administrative-based tasks that can include but are not limited to: email management, data entry, following up with customers/clients, phone calls, etc.
A virtual assistant would be your right-hand helper that can complete all work remotely (they do not have to come into an office).
What is a social media manager?
A social media manager (SMM) is someone who handles curating, monitoring, and engaging with your social media platforms. A social media manager would be responsible for various social media-related tasks that can include but are not limited to content creation, content scheduling, hashtag research, engagement, analytics audits, etc.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN SERVICES OFFERED BETWEEN A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT AND A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER?
A virtual assistant and a social media manager will have different services to offer clients based on their needs.
A virtual assistant would be more suited for someone who is looking for administrative help, whereas a social media manager would be more suited for someone who is looking to grow their social media presence, or dedicate a team to maintain and improve their social media platforms.
A VA can assist with emailing your clients back in a timely manner, while a social media manager can create a content calendar for an Instagram account that includes various content ideas.
Can a virtual assistant be a social media manager?
In short terms: yes, they can… BUT this varies based on the individual. Some virtual assistants have education in marketing and thus have decided to offer social media management as a service under their umbrella and vice versa. With that being said, it may not be the best bet to have all your eggs in one basket.
Relying on one individual to carry out your daily admin tasks as well as being responsible for social media management may overwhelm one individual, so it’s best to have two separate people to fill those roles. They can work hand in hand together to make sure that at the end of the day, you are the priority and that all tasks are completed in a timely manner.
Benefits of a virtual assistant
If you are someone who is falling behind on your day-to-day operations because you are spending a good chunk of your time on admin tasks, you would greatly benefit from a VA. When working with a virtual assistant, they will have various tools and programs in place to ensure they stay on top of all the tasks they are required to complete while providing updates and feedback so you always remain in the loop.
I detailed the top skills a virtual assistant can bring to your business here.You may be surprised at all the areas VAs can help.
Benefits of a social media manager
If you are looking to expand your social media presence, post consistently, and engage with your community, a social media manager might be what you are looking for. Social media managers are a great way to ensure that you are staying on top of social media and all that comes with it. A SMM can research what’s trending in your specific industry, learn about how your audience engages with your content, and many more marketing tips and tricks that will grow your accounts and keep your presence consistent and relevant to the times.
Conclusion
Expanding your team can be a very scary and nerve-racking process. Doing your research and determining what roles need to be filled within your business will improve your chances of operating efficiently, rather than guessing what you need. Whether you need help with administrative tasks or you need a social media rebrand, there is a virtual assistant or social media manager out there for you!
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