Episode 167 / Is it time to hire an author assistant? Jenna Lee answers our questions about outsourcing, work/life balance, NDAs, and so much more.
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Highlights:
- Jenna’s background as an author and how it helps her as an author assistant
- How to know when to outsource
- How to decide what tasks to outsource
- How to interview of an assistant
- Tips for giving feedback to a team member
- Dealing with fear of handing off tasks to someone else
- Tips for an author to build a team to support them
- Key things to look out for when outsourcing
- Commonalities in writers who have been successful over the long haul
Timestamps:
[00:10:25] Jenna Lee is an author and owner of The Daring Press. She started off as an author and had success with their first book, a reverse harem paranormal romance.
[00:16:51] To get support for your author business, make a list of tasks and identify what you love and dislike doing. Outsource tasks you dislike, and create a job application for the person you need, considering their personality and strengths. Conduct a video interview to ensure they are the right fit.
[00:20:55] Set up processes and systems before bringing in a new team member to ensure a smooth start; trial period of the first month involves establishing communication, apps, and tasks; regularly check in to ensure the person is doing a satisfactory job.
[00:23:57] Focus on one thing at a time for success rather than overwhelming yourself with multiple “shoulds.”
[00:28:53] Managing workload to avoid burnout and mistakes when hiring help for your author business.
[00:35:49] Meeting on Zoom is important to assess fit and skills. Ask thought-provoking questions and consider sample tasks.
[00:41:10] Setting work hours and communication boundaries with clients and team members to manage expectations and avoid emergencies in non-life-saving industries.
Links:
Daring Press: www.thedaringpress.com
Jenna Lee’s books https://jennalee.biz/product-category/books/
Morgana Best’s class on Building a Shopify Store: (Affiliate Link) https://best-business-for-authors.teachable.com/p/authors-selling-on-shopify?affcode=1328780_rjjijgkt
Episode 20: How to Find and Work with an Author Assistant with Adriel Wiggins: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/how-to-find-and-work-with-an-author-assistant-with-adriel-wiggins/
Episode 37: Zara Keane on Nurturing Your Newsletter https://wishidknownforwriters.com/zara-keane-on-nurturing-your-newsletter/
More links:
The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast
Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/launchplan
Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5
Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/
Resources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians
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