Creating a regular newsletter can be very time consuming. Fortunately, there are many ways a Virtual Assistant can help with the production of your newsletter.
Some of the most useful ways a Virtual Assistant can help you are:
Mailing list creation
A Virtual Assistant can enter your business cards into your CRM or contact database for future reference. If the business card owner has asked to be included on your mailing list. Your Virtual Assistant can then add them to your email marketing software and note in your CRM when the permission was granted.
Sourcing content
From sourcing written articles, to researching articles you are writing, to finding illustrations for your newsletter. A Virtual Assistant can help you find the most useful information with a minimum of fuss. We’ll also make sure you have all the permissions you need to use the content.
Copywriting
A Virtual Assistant with a talent for copywriting can take a huge chunk of the work involved in publishing a newsletter off your plate. Alternatively, a Virtual Assistant can find you a copywriter to help you produce content on a regular basis.
Database maintenance
A Virtual Assistant can make sure that any changes that need to be made after a mail out (i.e. address changes) are made, and reflected in your CRM if necessary.
Email marketing software
A Virtual Assistant should know how to use common email marketing software such as MailChimp, Campaign Monitor, Aweber etc.
Ensure permission to send
A Virtual Assistant can make sure that the addresses you are marketing to have all opted in to your newsletter.
HTML creation
Most Virtual Assistants have enough HTML knowledge to be able to pretty up your newsletter and troubleshoot any issues. Or if there are more major issues or you want formatting that they are unable to produce – your Virtual Assistant can find someone with IT or design skills to help.
Test emails
A Virtual Assistant can handle the time consuming test emails and ensure that what you are sending out looks professional when it’s received. They can make sure that all stakeholders have a chance to give input. And that requested changes are made and final approvals gained from everybody involved.
Opt out
Many people reply directly to emails with requests to be removed from the list, or to have their address changed. A Virtual Assistant can ensure that these opt out requests and address changes are handled promptly and annotate your CRM if necessary.
These are just some of the ways a Virtual Assistant can help ensure you send out a professional and attractive newsletter every time.
The best way to find a Virtual Assistant to help with your newsletter is to think about what areas of newsletter production cause you the most pain. Then find someone who can take that off your hands. It’s easy to expand a role once you are used to working together and you’ll probably find it happens organically.
