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Three Alternatives to Twitter
Three Alternatives to Twitter
So, Elon Musk has bought Twitter and not everyone is happy about it. During his first days in-charge he made half the workforce redundant 
and brought in some rules which some consider “not fair”. If you are thinking of leaving Twitter then what are the alternatives?
Mastodon
This is the one that everyone seems to be talking about, Mastodon, is free open-source software and is a relatively new social media platform that was released in 2016. Similar to Twitter, you can micro-blog but with 500 text-based characters over Twitter’s 280-character limit. You will be able to create a profile, follow accounts and have followers, write “toots” (instead of tweets) etc but these are spread throughout Mastodon. Oh, and you need to select a server / community to join. It’s worth keeping an eye on!
Cohost
This social media platform is even newer than Mastodon, so new in fact that it is in Beta version. Cohost’s strapline is: posting, but better. Unlike many of the top social media platforms, this one has done away with algorithm so your posts stay in the order you post them. They are focused on posts rather than advertising. Lots of exciting things to come as they develop this site including ways of finding new things, on-site tip jar and getting users’ input.
CounterSocial
CounterSocial looks like the Twitter of the future with lots of mention of Virtual Reality. This “Next-Gen” Social Media site states that it has no trolls, no ads, no fake news and no foreign influence ops. It’s like a virtual dashboard where you can pin columns that are relevant to you, create your own “watch-lists” of users or topics. In terms of “something different”, they have a Virtual Reality section called CounterSocial Realms where you can create or use public or private rooms / spaces to meet up for a VR-film night or a poker night.
Red Desk thoughts
Although nothing is going to be exactly the same as Twitter, it is worth keeping an eye on where your target audience might be headed. Mastodon currently sounds quite complicated. Cohost sounds interesting but we might wait until they are more established. CounterSocial appears to be the easiest site in terms of usability and we’re keeping an eye on the VR section as that may be the way ahead in terms of social media content.
Red Desk provides social media management to small businesses. If you would like a social media review then please get in touch with mel@reddesk.co.uk
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Technical Requirements and Experience for Virtual Assistants
Technical Requirements and Experience for Virtual Assistants
In our last article we looked at which soft skills make a successful VA. In this follow-on article we look at technical requirements and 
experience which will set yourself apart from other Virtual Assistants.
IT Skills
Perhaps the most important skill for any person working in the 21st Century, is a good set of IT skills. Rather worryingly, according to a McKinsey report “By 2030, two thirds of the UK workforce could be lacking in basic digital skills”
Virtual Assistants work remotely and therefore it is essential to have a decent set of IT skills as many duties will be performed via a computer. So, let’s take a look at what this might include:
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and similar
Many organisations use Microsoft 365 and you may find yourself managing mailboxes, calendars, creating PowerPoint presentations and reports. However, since you may find yourself supporting a Mac user so it is also an advantage to have knowledge of Mac versions too.
Cloud-Based Apps
Following on from having a good understanding of the basic package of word-processing, spreadsheet and email management, the next types of programmes to understand are cloud-based apps like Google Docs and Dropbox. These are essential for running a business efficiently.
Productivity Tools
You may find yourself being brought in to support a remote team and they might use apps such as Asana, Hubstaff, Trello, MeisterTask, Smartsheet, and others. Perhaps our favourite tool though is Toggl. Read how you can track your time and productivity in our article: Time Tracking for Business: Productive or a Pain?
Other areas of experience we have found useful over the years are:
Project Management
One of the more advanced skills a Virtual Assistant can have is project management experience. A VA may be brought in to support company projects; to plan and organise your resources and people to make sure your project is finished on time, stays within budget and meets the requirements of the business. Project managers can juggle several tasks at the same time, have excellent ‘people’ skills and can lead a team, the perfect solution for the small business owner.
Social Media Management
Many companies cannot afford a full-time marketing person. Therefore, a VA who knows their way around social media can be a huge asset. Someone who can use a range of social media platforms, create and schedule content, cross-promote and engage with others will find an endless stream of clients.
Final Words
If you find yourself an expert in some areas but not in others then don’t worry. The wonderful thing about being a Virtual Assistant is that we come in all shapes and sizes. Some VAs are all-rounders whereas others will support certain clients with specific needs. You may want to seek out other Virtual Assistants though to cover tasks that aren’t your particular strong suit and so that you can pass over new client enquiries when they come your way.
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