VIRTUAL ASSISTANT VS SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Virtual assistants and social media managers are often seen as interchangeable roles, but oftentimes they actually have quite different responsibilities and skills! Consider the word ‘virtual assistant’ a big umbrella term that contains various niched roles underneath it! A Virtual Assistant is a generalist who provides a wide range of support services. These virtual assistant services may include administrative tasks, customer service, and data entry. Think of them as a virtual front desk or secretary. A social media manager, on the other hand, is a specialist who is focused on creating and implementing a social media strategy for a business with a knowledge of online social media marketing. In this article, we'll dive into the differences between a virtual assistant and a social media manager to help you understand which one is the best fit for you and your skills.
what does a Virtual Assistant do?
A virtual assistant is a someone who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely. Virtual assistants are often self-employed, work from home and on a contract basis with multiple clients. They may provide a wide range of services, including data entry, customer service, scheduling appointments, managing email and social media accounts, and more.
Virtual assistants are remote work roles that need simply a computer and internet connection. They communicate with clients via email, phone, or video call, and use online project management tools to collaborate and stay organized.
what skills does a Virtual Assistant need?
Virtual assistants should have strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent time management and organizational skills. They should also be proficient in using computers and technology, including word processing, spreadsheet, and project management software. Specific skills may vary depending on the needs of the client. This is a great field to enter the freelance remote lifestyle as most people typically have these skills already from their full time 9-5 jobs!
how much money does a Virtual Assistant make?
Starting pay for a Virtual Assistant is $25-35 depending on experience and skill! Virtual Assistants can make anywhere from $25-60 an hour per client!
what does a Social Media Manager do?
A social media manager is responsible for creating and implementing a social media strategy for a business or organization. This includes creating content (from scratch or curated from content provided by their client) and scheduling posts, interacting with followers, and analyzing data to track the success of campaigns. A social media manager may also be responsible for developing and maintaining a social media calendar, sometimes managing paid social media advertising campaigns, and staying up to date with the latest social media trends and best practices.
Social media managers can work remotely or in an office setting, using a computer, phone and internet connection to access social media platforms. They may use a variety of tools, such as social media management software for scheduling content and analytics tools, to plan and execute their strategies.
what skills does a Social Media Manager need?
Social media managers should have strong written and verbal communication skills for writing copy, as well as excellent time management and organizational skills. They should, of course, be proficient with technology, including social media platforms, analytics tools, and have an eye for design. In addition, social media managers should have a deep understanding of social media trends, culture and best practices! It is also important to posess the ability to analyze and interpret data.
how much money does a Social Media Manager make?
Starting pay for a Social Media Manager is about $35 depending on experience, skill and duties! Social Media Manager can make anywhere from $35-75 an hour per client!
In Conclusion…
In conclusion, while virtual assistants and social media managers may both offer support to businesses, they have different responsibilities and skills. Virtual assistants are generalists who provide a wide range of administrative, technical, and creative support services, while social media managers are specialists who focus on creating and implementing a social media strategy for a business. Both roles can be valuable for businesses, but it's important to understand the differences between the two and choose the one that best fits your skills and interests. For a detailed breakdown of how to become a virtual assistant: click here!