Outsource socialmedia tasks to a virtual assistant

DeAnna Troupe is our guest today. She a virtual assistant and Host of BlogTalkRadio that airs live every Friday night, 9:30 EST. She and her guests discuss how to promote small businesses using the internet and social networking. For DeAnna's tips on social media, social networking and marketing for small business, subscribe to her blog and follow her on Twitter.

Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm sure you have noticed that there are a lot of social networking sites out there. You've got Twitter, LinkedIn, Ecademy, and Ning just to name a few. I haven't even touched on all of the different forums out there related to your niche that you need to be a participant on.

Then you've got to keep a blog and a podcast and you've still got to actually run your business. Not to mention you've got to find some time to spend with your family and do things like sleep and eat.

So how exactly are you going to manage all of these networks and still keep your sanity? Very simple, you need to add a virtual assistant to your team. A virtual assistant can accept or archive LinkedIn invitations, monitor your Twitter account, keep you updated when you get new followers, and post to your blog, just to name a few tasks.

So how do you find a qualified virtual assistant? Start with the social networks that I've just mentioned. You'll find smart virtual assistants hanging out at all of these networks. Make a connection with them and then start getting to know that person. Visit the VA's website and blog. Listen to the VA's podcast. Ask for referrals. When you decide to do business with the virtual assistant, contact the VA according to the instructions listed on the site.

When you do add a virtual assistant to your team, you will notice that you have a lot more time freed up. Most virtual assistants type at speeds of 50 wpm or higher. That right there can save you time if you're not a fast typist. You can just record yourself speaking your blog post and the virtual assistant can type it up. If you're not proficient with office productivity software, you can save yourself time by adding a virtual assistant.

A virtual assistant can free up time to help you be more active in social networking. Be sure to look into the possibility of adding a virtual assistant to your team today.