We recently had someone ask us what a creative virtual assistant is. But talking about a virtual assistant can sound a bit Greek. Let’s strip the jargon and explain what a virtual assistant is and, more so, what a virtual creative assistant is.
Before addressing what a virtual creative collaborator is, it is essential to understand that a virtual assistant is not the same as an employee. However, what is a virtual creative assistant, and what would be a remote creative assistant’s tasks?
Defining the Term’ Virtual Assistant’
Virtual assistants (VAs) are self-employed workers working remotely for companies abroad. These virtual assistants work as social media managers, content producers, graphic designers, and other workers, although some are virtual general assistants.
In most cases, though, these assistants specialize in a particular field. The benefit of hiring a virtual assistant relates mainly to the cost. Because these assistants work as consultants, the business owner does not pay medical insurance, taxes, pension contributions, or other benefits.
The money saved allows a business to scale faster. The opposite is also true. As the economy decreases, you can downscale operations, thus keeping the company and saving money while you prepare for a new growth cycle.
Is a Virtual Assistant the Same as an Employee?
Some people believe that virtual assistants are employees. This is incorrect. Virtual assistants are independent contractors or consultants.
As a staffing solution, they can fill the position of an on-site employee; however, they do not receive the benefits of an employee. A virtual assistant is tremendously advantageous for any progressive business, especially in terms of cost savings.
A company can save up to 70% on its business overheads. The business owner also gains free time and, through delegation, has more time to focus on the core tasks.
Your Virtual Creative Assistant
Virtual creative assistants have an excellent eye for design and are well-suited for creative fields or artists. They are innovative, well-versed in the various online platforms, and will have good computer skills. Their skills will depend on their preferred focus areas.
For instance, creative assistants will focus on graphic design, video editing, marketing, computer skills, event planning, and working with Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. Let us unpack the various roles.
Roles of a Creative Virtual Assistant
Graphic Design for Advertising and Marketing
Graphic design can help with conversion and lead generation. It also increases a brand’s visibility, which can lead to sales.
Great visuals are also an effective communication tool marketing and brand managers use to increase website traffic or drive consumers to stores to buy their products.
However, on-site graphic designers are a luxury many businesses can’t afford. For this reason, companies outsource their graphic design work.
Photo and Video Editing
Many businesses want to stand out and beat their competition, so many are looking towards video marketing. With video marketing come specific challenges, essentially, the high fees professional video editors charge.
Yet, excellent video and photo editing is within reach, with the help of a virtual assistant. Such an assistant can complete the arduous and complex task of preparing material for the marketing department.
Website Design
The foundation of any business is its website. There are several types of websites, each using different website platforms. Even for essential marketing, you need a website.
A website can be used to host your eCommerce site or as a lead magnet to increase your database. A virtual creative assistant means business owners can gain an optimized professional website.
They can also apply regular updates to your existing site, add extra landing pages, or refresh it to appear renewed.
Branding
Brands must be recognizable and have a strong identity, so they must be correctly marketed. Additionally, branding helps companies stand out and lends brand credibility in the marketplace.
A virtual assistant can help with the brand identity, ensuring that the brand is represented correctly on various online and print platforms.
A virtual assistant can create a new logo and craft a story woven throughout the marketing efforts to expand the market and increase sales.
Social Media Content
Social media as a marketing tool helps marketers to engage and connect with their budding customers. Moreover, marketers can connect with them wherever the consumers are.
These platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest. Each attracts a different audience, and marketers know how to direct their message to each particular group of customers.
A virtual creative assistant, such as a virtual social media assistant, can manage all the social media accounts and their associated calendars, help with social media posts, and manage your social media for you.
A virtual video-editing assistant can also help post videos on channels like Instagram and TikTok to boost engagement.
Newsletters and Email Marketing
Emails are still an effective marketing strategy. While social media is helpful for the top end of the marketing funnel, email marketing drives clients down the funnel.
Email marketing helps build relationships with various leads while reconnecting with old customers. However, the message needs to be appropriate and valuable. Nonetheless, a creative assistant can design newsletters to be eye-catching yet prevent them from landing in the spam folder.
Infographics
Infographics are handy for marketing. They present information in a compact, easy-to-grasp format, and people love them, especially men. They summarize your work in a small space and convey your subject knowledge. As bite-sized reports, they give a strong punch.
Infographics are appealing, easy to read and follow, and can educate your audience. Infographics can be placed on your website or offered in print format and on social media, especially Pinterest. This is an excellent task for a virtual creative assistant.
Brochures and Posters
If you want to promote an event, even an online event, you need excellent marketing material. One such material is stunning posters − brochures are also a valuable marketing tool. Creative virtual assistants would be able to put these marketing materials together.
Presentations
You might want to offer presentations if you are trying to gain more business. It is always easier to sell to a person than to a brand.
However, displays can also be used for training, onboarding, and team building. They can be used equally during conferences and do not have to be limited to sales presentations.
A creative, virtual, innovative assistant can create visually appealing presentations tailor-made for your audience.
Endnote: Creative Virtual Assistant
If you are a business owner or manager, you will know the importance of great design. Hiring someone to complete these tasks is advisable if you lack these skills.
However, hiring professionals such as a creative on-site person is pricey. The alternative is hiring an expert virtual creative assistant, a cost-effective staffing solution.
You will obtain top-quality work at an affordable rate. Below is a list of the various virtual creative assistants at Aristo Sourcing.
List of creative virtual assistants:
- Content writing virtual assistant
- Social media virtual assistant
- Pinterest virtual assistant
- Facebook media buyer
- Digital marketing virtual assistant
- Graphic design virtual assistant
- Software development virtual assistant
- Web design and development
- Video editing virtual assistant.
3 Key Takeaways
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Virtual Creative Assistants Can Help Businesses with Design and Marketing Tasks: The article explains that virtual creative assistants are freelancers with expertise in design and marketing tasks. They can be a cost-effective alternative to hiring full-time employees.
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Virtual Creative Assistants Offer a Wide Range of Skills: The article lists various skills that virtual creative assistants can possess, including graphic design, video editing, social media management, and content creation.
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Virtual Creative Assistants Can Help Businesses Save Money: The article emphasizes that businesses can save on costs like benefits and office space by hiring virtual creative assistants instead of full-time employees.
What are your primary responsibilities as a creative virtual assistant?
A virtual assistant worker’s primary responsibility as a creative virtual assistant is to offer administrative, innovative, and technical support to clients. This can include anything from managing social media accounts and creating graphics to scheduling appointments and handling customer service inquiries. These virtual assistants must communicate effectively with their clients to understand their needs and fulfill their requests promptly and efficiently. Also, these creatives must stay organized and keep track of deadlines and deliverables.
What types of tasks do you typically handle for clients?
There is no one answer to this question, as the types of tasks a virtual assistant typically handles for clients vary greatly depending on the specific client and their needs. However, some everyday tasks they often handle for clients include social media management, content creation and curation, email marketing, event planning and coordination, and general project management. Additionally, these creatives are often responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing plans to help their clients achieve their business goals.
What are the benefits of hiring a creative virtual assistant?
Hiring a creative virtual assistant offers a wealth of benefits for businesses. They are typically more affordable than in-house employees, grant access to a global talent pool, and provide the flexibility to scale your needs. You can boost your productivity and leverage specialized skills to enhance your business by delegating creative tasks.
Is hiring a creative virtual assistant right for my business?
Hiring a creative virtual assistant can be a great way to add creative talent to your team without breaking the bank. Consider your needs, budget, and workload to determine the right option.
How can I manage a remote creative virtual assistant effectively?
Managing a remote creative virtual assistant effectively involves setting clear expectations with detailed instructions. Utilize project management tools to stay organized and track progress. Consistent communication and regular feedback are essential, while patience and understanding are crucial to building a successful working relationship.