What You Need to Know About Hiring an Author’s Assistant
by Linda Dunn
My career started when I had the opportunity to work for an editor.
The time spent with the editor offered insight and hands-on experience to the preparation of a manuscript for publication and beyond.
This editor recommended me to an octogenarian author looking for assistance. I worked for that author full time for more than a year and loved it. I assisted with a variety of projects before and after handing off the manuscript. The author was delightful, which made the job even better.
I realized being an author’s assistant was my place in the world. I am inspired by the creativity of authors. I have the privilege of working on book and author-related projects all week long. Surrounded by books and brilliant minds, what is not to love?
What an Author’s Assistant Actually Does for an Author
My author services include the nitty-gritty detail work to set the author and their book up for success. Author services vary depending on the author, the book, and the direction they choose.
These are non-book writing tasks and can include all aspects of general administrative support like calendar intendance, organization, and creating newsletters, brochures, flyers, posters, or other promotional material.
Services can encompass research, proofreading, book and launch preparation, or securing pre/post-release reviews. I also work on book and author placement for blog tours, book clubs, podcasts, and speaking engagements. Blog management, email list management, web design, and monthly website maintenance are other areas of support.
How an Author’s Assistant Helps with Social Media
My social media services concentrate on bringing awareness to the author and their book by utilizing social media to its fullest potential. The goal is to raise visibility.
I encourage my authors to begin with a social media audit. This is invaluable on many levels. An in-depth evaluation will expose problematic areas or platforms. From that audit, we can optimize author profiles and make necessary adjustments to that platform.
Monthly analytics, insights, and statistics is a service that sets a baseline and follows growth. This systematic analysis permits tracking of effort and exposure. This guides us in a decision-making process and allows us to maximize our endeavors based on results.
Strategic platform campaigns paired with consistent brand development are structured for individual authors and their books. An online marketing strategy and promotional events can be utilized to direct traffic to the author’s website. Content creation, posting, and engagement round out the path of increasing visibility for author and their book.
Top 3 Reasons a Writer May Need an Assistant
1. A lack of time to manage everything.
Many authors have day jobs and write in their free time. Any time spent on non-writing tasks is time away from writing.
After writing, the author moves to revising, beta readers, choosing an editor, etc. Once the manuscript is completed, another world opens.
There are countless tasks that need positioned then nurtured daily. An author’s assistant can manage assignments that the author does not need to handle personally. This alone should boost the author’s productivity. In many cases, tasks delegated to a professional are completed in less time than it would take a novice.
2. To handle aspects of pre/post-launch, social media, book promotion, etc.
This is about bringing awareness to your book and promoting it. No matter how an author chooses to publish, book promotion almost always falls squarely on the shoulders of the author.
Newly released book competition is fierce. Backlisted books struggle even more to garner the eye of a potential reader. WorldOMeters has an entry for new books published this year. This count changes daily. This is your competition.
Authors must do everything possible to gain traction with those looking for their next read.
3. To bring work/life balance into focus for the author.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” -from The Shining, Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novel.
My authors appreciate knowing that plans are being implemented by a professional. To stay on target, these authors schedule monthly or bi-monthly consultations to stay on track, brainstorm, and discuss goals or direction.
The author’s work/life balance is a priority.
3 Benefits of Having an Author’s Assistant
1. Less stress in navigating the challenges.
Challenges arise around many corners. In my areas of expertise, solutions are often at hand. Implementing solutions reduces stress.
I try to work ahead of issues that may arise, but it does not always work that way. When issues come up and are swiftly addressed, my authors can focus on other tasks.
2. More time to write.
What author doesn’t need more time to write?
3. Partnering with an author’s assistant can produce better results.
Two heads are better than one. Setting goals with my authors, sharing the same vision, and taking action, together or separately, for the direction chosen, gives us objectives.
An example of producing better results may include having the author create specific content based on our goals. It could be blog posts, articles for a newspaper, etc.
Following creation is placement and promotion on social media. This brings awareness and credibility for the author as part of our collaborative efforts.
What If I Can’t Afford an Author’s Assistant?
I will suggest purchasing books, subscribing to newsletters, reading blog posts, subscribing to YouTube channels, etc. A multitude of information is available pertaining to every aspect of being an author.
An example would be to choose the pain point of being an overwhelmed author. I would recommend Colleen Story’s book Overwhelmed Writer Rescue: Boost Productivity, Improve Time Management, and Replenish the Creator Within.
Is marketing a pain point? Subscribe to newsletters and follow blogs with these industry experts: David Gaughran or Rachel Thompson. They are both published authors helping authors with marketing.
YouTube can put a Band-aid on most pain points. Are you looking for author visibility via podcasting? See what Kathleen Gage offers here.
My Guidance Package for Authors on a Budget
For authors on a tight budget, I offer a guidance package for the DIY author.
The DIY guidance package is limited to 2 platforms and includes profile reviews. Q & A is via email. We schedule one 30-minute introductory call and one 30-minute call every 2 weeks. 3-month minimum for $300, valid through 2020.
The authors choosing this package have access to my knowledge for 12 weeks and may implement suggestions at their own pace.
Other packages are available on my website. Those packages are mainly for authors needing website or social media services.
My Most Effective Technique to Help Authors Sell Books
Follower engagement for the win. This involves finding your niche audience and offering content of interest to that audience. An author’s niche audience is along the theme of, or parallel to, their book or book topic.
Engaging this audience or your followers is the next step. An author can churn out random content, but without engaging those followers, the author is talking to themselves. A follow back or a comment to a follower is recognition. Actively finding something to say to one person builds engagement.
This is not about “buy my book”, this is about connecting to these followers. Followers are vital to bringing awareness to your book. Pair connection with engagement, consistent blog posts, newsletters, etc., and it is all directed to your author website.
The Biggest Mistake Authors Without Assistants Make
The biggest mistake may be not maximizing social media to full potential.
Social media platforms are available for no cost or next to nothing. While social media can be time consuming, I don’t feel it is optional. Potential readers are everywhere. They are definitely on social media.
I see social media profiles that are active for a short time then become dormant. Without maintaining an active presence, your profile is lost in the mire.
If you aren’t busy keeping your name in front of your followers, will they remember you when looking for their next book?
Pull up your sleeves and get to work to build your following.
How to Get Started with Me as an Assistant
I offer a complimentary, sales pitch-free discovery call to discuss author goals, concerns, and priorities. This island-style (or relaxed) introductory discussion will let us determine a basic plan of action.
That plan can be expanded upon should we decide to take the next step.
* * *
Hawaii based author’s assistant, Linda Dunn, has worked exclusively for authors for nearly 5 years. She has combined her love of books with her skill set to provide today’s authors with support and encouragement.
For more information on Linda and her work, please see her website, or connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.
