As an author, your creative energy should be spent on writing—not formatting newsletters, sorting emails, or updating metadata. That’s where a virtual assistant (VA) becomes essential. In this blog, we’ll walk through the top tasks authors can delegate to their VAs, from simple admin work to complex marketing operations.

Why Delegation Matters

Delegating isn’t about laziness. It’s about maximizing the use of your skills. When you offload repetitive or technical tasks, you can focus on what only you can do: writing your books and engaging your readers.

High-Impact Tasks for Author VAs

1. Inbox Management
Organizing, filtering, and drafting responses to reader emails and business inquiries.

2. Newsletter Formatting
Writing copy can be your job, but formatting and uploading can be done by a VA using tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Mailchimp.

3. Social Media Scheduling
Using tools like Buffer or Later, your VA can schedule posts, engage with comments, and track analytics.

4. Blog Posting & Formatting
Formatting your blog, embedding media, and ensuring SEO optimization.

5. Review Management
Coordinating ARC readers, tracking reviews, and managing your Amazon or Goodreads presence.

6. Calendar and Appointment Management
Scheduling podcast interviews, virtual events, or writing sessions.

7. Metadata Updates
Ensuring consistency across Amazon, IngramSpark, Kobo, and your own site.

8. Research
Compiling information for your next book, researching genre trends, or summarizing industry news.

9. Ad Monitoring
Keeping tabs on Amazon or Facebook ads and reporting results.

10. Content Repurposing
Turning old blog posts into social graphics or bite-sized quotes.

11. File Management
Organizing your Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive structure.

12. Proofreading Support
Light review of blog posts, emails, or book blurbs.

13. Podcast Guest Outreach
Contacting potential guests or pitching you as a guest on other shows.

14. Community Engagement
Helping manage a Facebook group or Discord server.

15. Travel & Event Planning
Booking hotels, managing itineraries, or handling logistics.

How to Prioritize What to Delegate

Ask:

• What tasks drain me?

• What can someone else do faster?

• What doesn’t require my voice or creativity?

Start small, then build. Delegation is a muscle—practice makes perfect.

Conclusion

A good VA can take on a variety of roles in your author business. Start by outsourcing small tasks and gradually increase their responsibilities as trust grows. You'll be surprised how much more you can get done.