Web
Copywriter or Virtual Assistant: Which Should You Hire?
by Dina
Giolitto
You
know you need help marketing and managing your web
business; and knowing is half the battle, so that's
a GOOD thing. The next obvious question: what kind
of service provider should you hire? Copywriter? Or...
virtual assistant?
First,
a simple explanation of each professional. A virtual
assistant offers remote help managing the
various functionality aspects of your business. A copywriter,
on the other hand, creates written marketing materials.
Permit
me to get logical for a moment. Virtual assistant is
the broader term. By definition, all virtual copywriters
are also virtual assistants; but not all virtual assistants
are copywriters (although some are). Even so, that's
not going to help you determine which one you should
seek out first. So, we move on to specifics.
If
your office operations are in shambles and you need
help managing mostly organizational tasks,
then consult with a virtual assistant.
What do I mean by organizational tasks? Soup-to-nuts
back-end management. Things like task scheduling, project
management, email and telephone answering, typing,
signing up for website memberships, forum maintenance,
contact list updates, file organization, proofreading,
follow-up calls, ezine mailings, and general business
communication (assuming that you hire a VA who also
possesses writing skills--and a top of the line VA
most definitely will).
If
you need someone to run your marketing
and communication, get thee to a copywriter.
Sales are lagging and traffic is down? Summon the copywriter.
The website just keeled over and gasped its last breath?
Dial copywriting 911. A well-seasoned web copywriter
should be able to offer you: sales copy that sings.
Search-engine friendly web content. A strong handle
on all the major avenues of web communication - websites,
articles, blogs, ezines, sales pages. A strategic approach
to your writing that considers timing (of
information releases), tone (of
the target audience), anticipated outcome;
and above all, the psychology behind
the message.
A
general difference between virtual assistants and copywriters:
VAs spend more time in the logical, left side of the
brain (that's the right hand and the "right way" of
doing things). A virtual assistant will typically emphasize
the three P's: practicality, punctuality, and protocol.
By contrast, most copywriters lean more to the right
or abstract hemisphere, embracing their passion for
colorful descriptions and original phrasing. The right-brained
copywriter lends a conceptual approach to your advertising
that usually involves a matching visual to help flesh
out the creative. (Oh yeah - and copywriters frequently
use "creative" as a noun.) Although generally,
copywriters are not known for their structured, regimented
ways.
Again,
I'm stereotyping here. This is not to say that there
was never a VA who could write killer web copy, or
a copywriter who wasn't great at keeping the back office
motor humming for prime productivity.
If
personality in the writing is of particular importance
to you; meaning, you want that snappy, edgy marketer
talk to help lure in new customers; then definitely
choose a copywriter over a virtual assistant. Why?
Put the "accomplished VA who can also write" side
by side with a top paid copywriter, and you'll immediately
notice that while both can pull off proofreading, editing
and standard business communication quite effortlessly,
the VA generally doesn't play roles in her writing.
It is the rare VA's indeed who possesses that versatility
of voice (or tone) that has pro copywriters successfully
carving out brand images of top companies year after
year.
Again,
this is not to say that there isn't a secret copywriting
powerhouse living inside of more than a few VAs out
there, or a virtual organizing moonlighter who dons
the copywriter mask by day. But for the sake of a comparison,
they're on opposing teams. A strong VA will utilize
her communication skills to represent The Company.
Writing is crisp, structured, professional, and most
decidedly absent of feeling. Conversely, a choice copywriter's
words frequently crackle with raw emotion, and most
definitely harbor some classic psychological manipulation
tactics. Copywriters enjoy playing roles in their writing;
VA's usually opt for that standard, corporate professional
voice.
Both
copywriters and virtual
assistants can be a strong boost to your productivity
and effectiveness. Either way, you want an experienced
web professional first and foremost. Seek out someone
who can comfortably maneuver in basic word processing
and email, Web 2.0 applications and SNS (social networking
software). Other skills to look for: familiarity with
ezine/email management programs and autoresponders.
Knowledge of basic HTML. Ability to operate web technology
such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), PDF distillers,
and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editing
tools. And, working alongside of someone who has connections
in the business is always a plus!
Finally,
don't forget that compatibility counts for a lot, particularly
in the frenzied, hyper deadline-conscious world of
online business. Hire someone with whom you feel productive
and can get along with under pressure.
Whether
you decide on a virtual assistant or copywriter, one
thing is for certain. Getting good help is the smartest
thing you can possibly do. Your business will thank
you for it.
Copyright
2006 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
Tell
a friend about Word Food: The Copywriting and Marketing
Ezine from Wordfeeder.com. Just forward this email
on to someone who you think might enjoy the free
information. Sign up details are at the bottom of
this email.
WebTrafficBasics.com
Learn how to get traffic to your website the old fashioned way, earn
it.
Biana
Babinsky, the online business
expert and author is on a mission to help
hundreds of business owners get more clients
and earn more online.
Join
her
Marketing Salad.com
membership site for 9.97/month and get access to how-to guides
and worksheets,
audio recordings, expert teleclasses and more.
|
"Your
Webinar ROCKED!" Unique,
informative and yes, DavisVA.com's
Webinars DO rock! Get the inside scoop
on how to post to craigslist effectively,
and make money in the process. And, learn
HTML coding in one easy lesson. Come
for a visit to learn more: Davisva.com/training.htm
We
All Scream for... ...Shortbread? Get your ice cream and shortbread recipe
published in an upcoming e-book from
the Vermont Shortbread Company. Learn
all about it in our July
Ezine. |
SMG
Designs – New
Jersey Small Business Web Design, SEO & Internet
Marketing. Affordable rates, quality service. Web
design & SEO Portfolio and Rates shown at http://www.smgdesigns.com
What if I told you that you can write an
article in one day... and hundreds of articles each year?
Write a professional-quality article for fame, fortune
or web traffic in one day.
WriteanArticleaDay.com
|
|
