blogging•blogging essentials•Blogging Freebies
The Newest Blogging Secret You’re Probably Not Using
April 17, 2017
You know I like to be real with y’all around here. Sometimes I just feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get it done. I really don’t like reading too much about the in’s and out’s of blogging because I start getting overwhelmed with all of the facets of it. You can read one article that says spend all your time focusing on Facebook, creating videos, and paying to promote your content. Then another how-to will tell you all about how Pinterest drives the most traffic to your site so focus on that. Oh and let’s not forget about how time-consuming Instagram is. Finally, yes you actually have to create the content on your blog. It is enough to completely make your head spin. I have decided to focus on two things, continuing to write consistent content on my blog three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as well as growing my Instagram. I have poured so much time into my Instagram and I am really starting to see the benefits. The majority of brands that are finding me is through my Instagram. That is all I can muster right now. It is all a little too much. So here is where the big secret is that I feel like I’ve been hiding under a rock about.
The majority of bloggers are using Virtual Assistants or “VAs”.
Did you know that? I sure as heck didn’t. I’m not going to lie it makes me feel a tiny bit icky (<–for better lack of words) that I’m not even conversating with them on Instagram. You’re meaning to tell me that a virtual assistant is the one dropping comments on my latest picture? When she says “I am loving this dress on you!!” It’s not you, it’s someone you are paying? Listen, I am all about time is money and utilize yourself in the smartest way. Everyone is always looking for that edge, the tiniest way to get ahead. I understand how time-consuming it all is but at the end of the day here is what I live by.
Blogging and social media should not consume your life. You have a life. Live that first. If you are ignoring your significant other sitting on the couch while you are trolling Instagram commenting as fast as you can just so you can get leverage on your latest post…..is that really worth your time? I also don’t think giving payment to someone per hour to comment for you is not the solution either. I think Instagram really needs to be reevaluated. I have stepped back from the insanity and I’m still getting the same engagement and new followers every day. The moral of that story is…..stop killing yourself on Instagram, I mean honestly it’s just Instagram. The sun does not set or rise on if you have the perfectly curated VSCO filtered feed.
Now. I think there is something to be said about having a virtual assistant to help you with organization. I have had a Pinterest account since it was in the original beta testing stages. I get a huge amount of traffic from Pinterest but I DO NOT have time for it. I just don’t. I wish I did but it’s not feasible. I did major research before reaching out to a VA and had specific requirements. It takes a lot of time to clean up boards, create a theme, join Tailwind boards, and pin daily content. However, if you can do that, you will see definite engagement in traffic to your posts. This is something that I feel like is a justified cost ROI (return on investment). The time it would take for me to complete all this Pinterest work, I can be working on collaborations that are paying projects. Then, I think about why people would pay VA’s for Instagram because it is so time consuming and then you can spend that time on other things…..I get it. I just don’t think I’ll ever cross to that line.
I also do agree that there has to be money put out in order to land jobs that help support my brand/blog. I have paid for a professional camera and lens, editing software such as Lightroom/Photoshop and have recently plunked down some hard earned funds on editing courses. I think it has started to make a huge difference. I’ve also said before a refresh of your template is always a good idea. Find some great options on Etsy or Creative Market.
What I’m ultimately trying to get at is that everyone is always trying to find that edge. However, when it becomes too much of “work” and not that creative outlet that you originally set out to start….then I definitely think it is time to reevaluate your long term plan with your space and brand. How do you feel about Virtual Assistants for your blog/social media? Have you heard of them before? Are you using a VA in some aspect of your blog or social media? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this!
I’m not even sure about the VA thing. I believe people are using them, and I wonder how people know HOW to use them. I mean, I have a hard time using my REAL staff at work for things I need… so the idea that I would put something on my creative outlet… LOL, I don’t even know.
At any rate, I definitely feel the crunch because I don’t think I get things done in the way that I need to with my blog and social media, but I want it to be mine, you know? Building relationships through this is what’s fun! I wonder if a VA would minimize that aspect, you know? Interested to hear what others think!
I agree on the IG vs Pinterest use of a VA – I think you should still be real on IG. Pinterest and even twitter for that matter go for it, but IG that’s something that it seems no one really has a secret sauce to – especially those of us that grow organically and dont buy followers, which irks me so much! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
A VA for Pinterest is one thing, but for Instagram, it just seems a little creepy. Is that maybe why the same blogger will follow and unfollow me ten times, because they’re using a VA, who’s main goal is to follow and bait people? That’s a huge pet peeve of mine. Plus, I would be so worried they would say something that wouldn’t fully represent me. But, I agree with you, you can’t hustle yourself so hard that it starts to become all consuming and not fun anymore. Pinterest has always been the social media that fuels blog traffic for me, but Instagram fuels your brand in a different way. It’s like, I don’t see a lot of blog referrals from it, but definitely brand connections and brands that are looking for an Instagram following to work with you. The blog world is an interesting one!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
I used to do VA work, so I know that it’s not all bad but I do agree with what you’re saying here. Everything is becoming so impersonal and just another opportunity to get ahead. I actually think it’s kind of sad how much blogging has changed! I’m happy for everyone’s successes, but should it take over from our actual lives? I don’t think so.
It never occurred to me that bloggers used VAs? I guess since my blog is just a hobby of mine and I am not really making any money (minus the few freebies I have snagged over the years) it wouldn’t be something I would consider. I just dont blog as much when I dont have the time, and I have never been heavy on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc. But I suppose that is why I stayed small. It certainly shows when you put forth the effort!!! You most certainly cant kill yourself over every thing and there are just way too many outlets these days to cover! Now it makes me feel a little better to know that maybe everyone isn’t doing everything and they might be getting a little help. Because I sit here and think…how do people have time for all this?!?!?!? I can barely handle the little I do, do. LoL
I’m really glad you’re talking about this. I do not have a VA yet people ask me all the time why my VA doesn’t do such and such task… um because it’s MY VOICE!!
I wish I could give you all the praise hands for this post! It makes me sad that some many gals are outsourcing their Instagrams to VA’s! Although well-curated, Insta is still a pretty “authentic” place to connect so the idea that I’m talking to a VA and not the blogger takes that authenticity away. For non interactive mediums like Pinterest I can see the appeal, but not for Instagram!
A VA on instagram creeps me out for sure. You should be real! Just my opinion. I hate pinterest now, i like you was an early adopter of it and I hate how roboty and paid it has gotten. I guess I feel this way since I don’t do my blog for money, i do it for a creative outlet. Thanks for this post!
I so miss the old blogging days when we were all in it for fun, and our Instagram feeds were fun and personal and not overly staged photos. Real life will always come first, and not that I ever forsee having a problem keeping up with Instagram or Pinterest posts and comments but I do believe that at some point you may need help keeping it all in check and engaged. I so enjoy following those who keep it real with their own true voice, and there are definitely not enough hours in the day! It’s amazing how we accomplish all that we do each day, and still have time for that glass of wine on the couch and our favorite shows <3
Green Fashionista
Never even thought to use a virtual assistant or really knew they existed. I hear ya on needing some help juggling it all so it’s prob worth the investment when your different social media pages have a huge following.
VA’s have been huge in my mom’s industry for ten years. I think they’re an awesome idea as long as you know how to delegate!
Kellen used a VA for our sled business and it was a huge help. So I know VA’s can be beneficial. I totally agree that a VA for something like Pinterest would be so helpful (I should look into that), but Instagram? I’m so with you. It’s bad enough people use bots to comment on posts. I just couldn’t do that.
I love the new blog layout.