As a writer, it’s not uncommon to assume you have to do everything on your own. While some things can’t be delegated when it comes to your work, there are plenty of daily tasks that can (and should) be handled by someone else – a writing assistant.
When you’re a professional writer, a good rule of thumb is to look at yourself as a business. You’re creating a product with an end goal in mind. If you’re writing a book, you want it to sell. Putting together a piece for a newspaper? You want it to go over well with your audience. You want to be successful.
But, do you know of any business that is successful when only one person is doing all of the work?
Only 21% of published authors in the U.S. make a living as full-time writers. Many factors play into that. But, one of them is not elevating their business management skills. Hiring a writing assistant to help you will make it easier to reach your goals, and reduce your risk of burning out.
Still not convinced? Let’s cover some of the biggest benefits of hiring a writing assistant.
Greater Focus On Your Writing
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a writing assistant is that it will give you more time to do what you love – write.
When you get bogged down with your daily tasks and obligations, writing can often take a back seat on your to-do list. Unfortunately, that leads to stress, missed deadlines, and potentially even writer’s block if you’re not finding enjoyment in your work.
A writing assistant can help you with almost anything to make your workload easier. But, some common tasks they can perform include:
- Finding reviewers for your work
- Answering emails
- Building a subscriber list and sending out newsletters
- Keeping your schedule updated
- Booking travel arrangements for events
When you have someone to take care of those tasks for you, you can focus solely on your writing career. Not only will that enable you to produce more content without feeling the pressure of time constraints weighing on you, it will also help you manage your stress levels and spend more time enjoying your life outside of work.
A Better Work-Life Balance
A healthy work-life balance is crucial for everyone. The benefits are endless, and you can start to enjoy things like:
- Greater productivity
- Less stress
- Less fatigue
- Improvements in your mental health
As a writer, it can sometimes be hard to strike that balance on your own. After all, you can do your job any time, right? A writing assistant can help to keep you on track with set hours during the day. When you work, they work, and vice versa. So, it becomes less feasible to start writing after dark and staying up all night.
When you have more of a set schedule because you have someone helping you, it’s easier to enjoy other areas of your life that much more. You can spend more time with friends and family, do things you enjoy, and focus on your mental and physical health. You might be surprised just how much striking that balance can not only improve your writing but your life in general.
A Stronger Business Model
Again, when you’re an author, you’re a business. We talked above about how an assistant can give you the time to focus more on your writing. But, when you hire the right person, they can also use their own skills to grow your business and make you more profitable.
It’s important to take a look at some key skills before making a hiring decision. Think about what you’re really looking for when it comes to both hard and soft skills. You might want someone who is a strong communicator and well-organized. But, it will also benefit you to hire someone with marketing skills, including:
- Social media
- SEO
- Design
- Web development
Even hiring a virtual assistant (who can work from anywhere) to help out with growing your business will take that load off you. In addition to freeing up your time, you can feel good about promoting your name, your brand, and your publications by using someone who knows how to do those things effectively. It’s cheaper than outsourcing, especially once an assistant really gets to know who you are. Don’t be afraid to develop a strong working relationship with whoever you hire and show them your appreciation as much as possible by celebrating milestones with them and offering them more opportunities to help with bigger, more important projects.
In the end, a writing assistant can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. Whether you’ve been struggling to find inspiration, you’re overwhelmed and unorganized, or you just need a break, now is the perfect time to hire a writing assistant to help you out.
BIO
Beau Peters is professional with a lifetime of experience in service and care. As a manager, he has learned a slew of tricks in the business world and enjoys sharing them with others who carry the same passion and dedication that he brings to his work.
