If you are a freelance writer, you are probably busy from sun up to late night trying to keep your business going.
Authors, likewise, find it difficult to get it all done. Successful publishing and book promotion is more than a full-time job.
Do you sometimes resent having to do those mundane tasks—the non-creative work?
If you have trouble getting it all done, why not hire an assistant?
It’s common for busy entrepreneurs to hire employees to help out. Well, you’re running a business, and you could use help. Why continue struggling to do it all yourself?
I’ve actually hired help throughout my career. I hired a friend to type a complete book into my computer. The original manuscript was created on a typewriter. She also used to help me get query letters out. And I’ve paid my grandchildren to man-handle boxes of books when I needed to move them from place to place. When they were younger, they used to help me prepare promotional mailings.
What are some of the things an assistant could do to help your business run more smoothly and/or to increase your bottom line? Here are a few ideas. I’d love to hear your stories of working with an assistant (an intern, perhaps). An assistant could handle all or some of the following:
• Organize and send out your query letters.
• Do marketing, book or business research.
• Handle your social media accounts.
• Do typing.
• Write and post at least some of your blogs.
• Respond to emails.
• Fill out forms, including interview questionnaires.
• Conduct interviews for articles or your book.
• Seek out new venues and book speaking engagements.
• Design and send out promo material.
• Do filing.
• Keep your website updated.
• Make follow-up calls.
• Run errands.
• Work with graphic designers and printers.
• Pack and ship books.
• Make your travel arrangements
• Take over in the office when you are traveling.
• Design online courses in your topic and implement them.
• Keep your appointment calendar.
• Send invoices and chase down money owed.
• Make copies of handouts, promo material, etc.
• Keep track of inventory.
• Get quotes from printers
• Set up appointments with clients, etc.
Now there are 25 things that the right assistant could do for you while you are busy writing, speaking, designing new programs/products and handling those other things that increase your chances of success in this business.
I have to tell you that I had trouble stopping this list. I originally planned to list 10 things. Then a couple of other great ideas came to me and I continued on to 12. Before I finished proofing this, I had 15 and then 20 ideas. When I decided to stop at 25, I was still coming up with jobs for the assistant. In fact, I’ve convinced myself that I should start interviewing potential assistants to help me in my busy business. Maybe I could spend more time walking on the beach—er, uh, I mean writing and promoting…