How is a Food Blog Writer Different From a VA?
/Learn what a food blog writer is and how they are different from a VA, or virtual assistant, to determine which might be the most helpful for you when it comes to freeing up your time and growing your food blog!
How is a Food Blog Writer Different From a VA?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a position posted by someone looking for a virtual assistant (VA) only to read it further and discover that all the tasks listed are better suited for the skillset of a writer.
It is a common misconception that the two roles are the same, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While both virtual assistants and food blog writers can be immensely helpful, when trained properly, their skill sets are completely separate.
Food Blog Writers
A food blog writer is, for lack of a better term, a cross between a copywriter and a content writer. Each food blog writer tends to have their own specialties and preferences.
However, in general, food writers are well-versed in SEO, understand marketing concepts, and have a firm understanding of culinary terms and techniques along with a wide array of cuisines.
You can find food writers that offer services including:
Blog Post Writing
Email Writing
Social Media Captions
Cookbook Copy
Landing Pages
Product Descriptions
I admit this stretches the term “food blog writer” a bit, but it’s rare to find one that solely writes the blogs themselves.
Regardless of the specific offers, food blog writers understand the craft of writing along with the intricacies of SEO, meaning they can be invaluable when it comes to building a trusting audience and ranking on Google.
Virtual Assistants
On the other hand, the term, “virtual assistants” is much broader and can be used to describe a variety of roles.
Some virtual assistants niche down further than just being general VAs. You’ll find these titles listed as social media manager, content editor, backend manager, etc.
That said, a virtual assistant’s role can include everything from data entry and replying to DMs to uploading content, and, in some cases, writing copy.
Think of them as the secretaries of the online world. For most, their skills are fairly general, covering a wide range of topics rather than honing in on a specific skill set like food blog writers.
When to Hire a Food Blog Writer Versus a Virtual Assistant
Chances are, when you’re growing a food blog, you’ll eventually need both a food blog writer and a virtual assistant. Many bloggers hire several of both!
However, if you’re just starting, knowing which one to hire comes down to your own skills and what you enjoy.
For instance, if you find yourself overwhelmed with managing your inbox, DMs, social media accounts, programs, or any other clerical tasks, it’s probably best to hire a virtual assistant first.
On the other hand, if you struggle to write posts, social captions, emails, etc. and you find that the inability to complete those tasks is holding you back, outsourcing a food blog writer is probably your best bet!
In Conclusion
Food blog writers are skilled writers trained in brand building and SEO. Many offer a variety of writing services covering email campaigns, blog writing, and social media caption writing.
Virtual assistants (VAs) are often more general hires, handling a variety of tasks like data entry, managing inboxes, and uploading content to various platforms.
Both roles are valuable and can be a game-changer when it comes to freeing up your time and growing a food blog. Knowing which to hire first comes down to your skillset and preferences.
If you’re looking for help with food blog content writing or social media management, my team and I would love to help!