Falling in Love with Social Media – Guest Blog from Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts said: “Becoming a VA has fundamentally changed my life. It is a mix of positivity, personal challenge, and genuine liberation. But let’s be honest: personal challenge is only “great” once you’ve conquered it. Back when I started, my challenge was facing the social media beast.”

I felt terrified. I didn’t get the point of short-form updates. I thought LinkedIn was reserved for high-flying corporate types. I only used Facebook for the odd photo of my children. I had a massive mental barrier and felt completely daunted. I know many women starting their own businesses feel exactly the same way today.

I believe that if you open yourself to the possibility of learning, the right opportunities appear. For me, that opportunity was a structured digital media course.

I was selected as part of a cohort of women to participate in a six-week intensive programme. Working alongside other business owners, guided by a digital coach, the fear began to subside. I stopped dipping my toe in and took the plunge.

The results were immediate:

• Increased Confidence: I realised I was more than capable of navigating these platforms.

• Community: I found that my natural social personality was a perfect fit for real-time engagement.

• Business Growth: By the end of the course, I was awarded a prize for the most progress in digital confidence. More importantly, I had potential work lined up.

Using social media didn’t just give me confidence; it expanded my service offering. I could now offer social media management to my clients with the authority of someone who actually knew the platforms inside out.

My Advice to You If you are a VA or a female entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed by the digital landscape, stop waiting.

1. Immerse Yourself: Read, watch, and learn how others are using these tools.

2. Invest Time: You cannot shortcut the learning process.

3. Find a Mentor: If you are stuck, find a coach or a support network. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Falling in love with the process is easy once you stop letting fear call the shots. You will only wish you had started sooner.