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Ok online business owners -
We HAVE to talk about passes for job postings for “VA’s” these days.
I’m seeing multiple posts where the job description perfectly matches the roles of a:
- social media manager
- marketing strategist
- project manager
NOT A VA.
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We HAVE to talk about passes for job postings for “VA’s” these days.
I’m seeing multiple posts where the job description perfectly matches the roles of a:
- social media manager
- marketing strategist
- project manager
NOT A VA.
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And from what I have been told by industry VA’s, these usually exist in this form because the business owners in question has a $15-$20 budget.
Which, hey, i’m not here to budget shame. BUT THE WORK YOURE LOOKING FOR IS NOT VA WORK.
If you want marketing help HIRE A MARKETER
Which, hey, i’m not here to budget shame. BUT THE WORK YOURE LOOKING FOR IS NOT VA WORK.
If you want marketing help HIRE A MARKETER
And this can go backwards a couple of ways.
A) you hire a VA *with* marketing skills not calling themselves a marketer because they don’t fully understand the value of their work. Which makes it suck for them.
A) you hire a VA *with* marketing skills not calling themselves a marketer because they don’t fully understand the value of their work. Which makes it suck for them.
Or
B) you hire a VA who *claims* to have marketing knowledge, but may not have the experience to successfully implement and improve your marketing strategy... because they’re a VA. SO YOU’RE STILL LOSING MONEY. Which makes it suck for YOU!
B) you hire a VA who *claims* to have marketing knowledge, but may not have the experience to successfully implement and improve your marketing strategy... because they’re a VA. SO YOU’RE STILL LOSING MONEY. Which makes it suck for YOU!
This frustrates me for my VA friends because the complaint is almost always “I hired a VA and they weren’t a fit, wow good VA’s are hard to find”
And, truth be told, good help is hard to find, period.
But the title of VA’s perceived ranking as “less valuable, ergo cheaper”...
And, truth be told, good help is hard to find, period.
But the title of VA’s perceived ranking as “less valuable, ergo cheaper”...
... is a huge par of how we got into this mess!
The traditional expectations for VA’s, by my understanding, is stuff like:
1) manage inbox + calendar
2) handle smaller customer service issues (I.e. send them this file)
3) maybe schedule social posts
4) other basic admin tasks
The traditional expectations for VA’s, by my understanding, is stuff like:
1) manage inbox + calendar
2) handle smaller customer service issues (I.e. send them this file)
3) maybe schedule social posts
4) other basic admin tasks
But now it’s stuff like:
1) repurpose my content
2) make all my graphics
3) weigh in on marketing strategy
4) advise on PR/places to pitch
5) show notes for podcasts/videos
6) transcription (the devil’s own task)
7) tech support
8) be literally Jesus Christ
1) repurpose my content
2) make all my graphics
3) weigh in on marketing strategy
4) advise on PR/places to pitch
5) show notes for podcasts/videos
6) transcription (the devil’s own task)
7) tech support
8) be literally Jesus Christ
And look, sometimes your VA is a human pen knife (I know mine is, she’s amazing) but then WE STILL RESIST PAYING THEM ACCORDINGLY.
We bitch about how clients don’t wanna pay our fees despite our value and then we turn around and so that to our own people?? Like why??
We bitch about how clients don’t wanna pay our fees despite our value and then we turn around and so that to our own people?? Like why??
This is why VA’s hate the term VA, and many of them who I meet are trying to get out of the industry.
It’s a catch-all that often doesn’t make sense and creates a whole mess of frustration and disappointment on both sides.
Just... blurgh.
It’s a catch-all that often doesn’t make sense and creates a whole mess of frustration and disappointment on both sides.
Just... blurgh.
Don’t put a call out for strategic support and then slap a VA title on it.
Like... are you looking for an assistant AND marketing manager? Just say so.
Similarly, VA’s, if you’re outgrowing the title don’t be afraid to give yourself a new title based on the work you enjoy most
Like... are you looking for an assistant AND marketing manager? Just say so.
Similarly, VA’s, if you’re outgrowing the title don’t be afraid to give yourself a new title based on the work you enjoy most
And also, hiring a VA is hiring a WHOLE ASS PERSON. They’re not just gonna snap into your business and fix all your problems - which is another while can of worms.
Like we want an extra pair of hands but we treat them like a George Foreman grill and wonder why it’s not working
Like we want an extra pair of hands but we treat them like a George Foreman grill and wonder why it’s not working
Like VA’s are considered the BOTTOM RUNG OF THE CONTRACTOR LADDER yet are expected to do basically anything. It’s wrong.
I don’t know how to fix it but for all of our posturing about equal treatment in the industry, we may as well examine what’s going on in our own backyards.
I don’t know how to fix it but for all of our posturing about equal treatment in the industry, we may as well examine what’s going on in our own backyards.
Anyways, for those of us in the privileged enough position to hire subcontractors/employees, let’s try to do better where we can pls y’all.
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