AI video and social media virtual assistant book publishing

AI Video & Social Media Virtual Assistant - Book Publishing

I am an independent author and publisher with a large and growing catalogue of nonfiction books, particularly history, biography, warfare and related subjects.

I am looking for a reliable Virtual Assistant to help create and publish short promotional videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

This is initially a part-time position of approximately 10 hours per week. If the trial works well, there is potential for the role to expand significantly.

The Role

You will receive a book cover, topic, script, video concept and instructions.

Your job will be to turn those materials into attractive short-form videos, normally around 10-20 seconds long, and publish them across the required social-media platforms.

The focus will be on interesting historical content rather than aggressive advertising. Videos should capture attention with a strong historical fact, question, personality or event, then introduce the relevant book naturally at the end.

Typical Daily Tasks

• Create short AI-generated promotional videos.
• Edit videos using CapCut or similar software.
• Add captions and on-screen text.
• Add suitable music and sound effects where appropriate.
• Insert supplied book covers into videos.
• Create simple transitions and visual effects.
• Check spelling and presentation before posting.
• Publish videos to TikTok.
• Publish the same or adapted videos to Instagram Reels.
• Publish videos to YouTube Shorts.
• Add supplied Amazon tracking links where appropriate.
• Use supplied captions, hashtags and calls-to-action.
• Record each published video in a tracking spreadsheet.
• Record video views and engagement.
• Help identify which subjects and video styles perform best.
• Recreate successful formats for other books.

You will NOT be required to write full scripts or research books independently. Most concepts, scripts and prompts will be provided.

Skills Required

You should be comfortable using:

• CapCut
• Canva
• TikTok
• Instagram
• YouTube
• ChatGPT
• Google Sheets or Excel
• AI image or video-generation platforms

Previous experience creating TikTok, Instagram Reel or YouTube Shorts content is strongly preferred.

Experience with books or Amazon KDP would be useful but is not essential.

AI Video Experience

Experience with platforms such as the following would be useful:

• Google Flow / Veo
• Kling
• Pika
• Runway
• Other AI video-generation tools

You do not need to know every platform. I am more interested in someone who can learn quickly and produce good-looking content consistently.

Important Qualities

I am looking for someone who:

• Follows instructions carefully.
• Has strong attention to detail.
• Checks spelling before publishing.
• Communicates clearly in English.
• Can work independently.
• Is dependable.
• Meets agreed deadlines.
• Has a good visual sense.
• Is willing to learn.
• Can handle repetitive production work efficiently.
• Understands that quality matters more than simply posting as many videos as possible.

Historical accuracy is also important. Images should be appropriate to the period and subject being promoted.

Hours

Initially approximately:

10 hours per week

The hours can be reasonably flexible.

The initial engagement will be a 30-day paid trial.

If the system proves successful and the right person demonstrates they can handle the work reliably, hours may increase.

Pay

Starting rate:

US$5-US$8 per hour depending on experience and ability.

I am willing to pay more over time for someone who becomes highly productive, reliable and valuable to the publishing operation.

This is intended to become an ongoing position rather than a one-off freelance project.

Paid Video Test

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to complete a PAID practical test.

I will provide:

• One book cover
• The book subject
• A short script
• A suggested video concept
• Basic instructions

You will create one approximately 15-second vertical promotional video suitable for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

The test will be judged on:

• Quality of the opening hook
• Video quality
• Editing
• Captions
• Spelling
• Choice of imagery
• Ability to follow instructions
• Overall professional appearance
• Whether the video makes the viewer interested in the subject or book

Please do not complete an unpaid sample when applying. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete the paid test.

Application Questions

Please answer ALL of the following questions when applying:

1. How many hours per week are you currently available?

2. What hourly rate are you seeking?

3. How much experience do you have with CapCut?

4. Have you created TikTok videos, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts professionally before?

5. Which AI video-generation tools have you used?

6. Please provide links to 2-3 examples of short-form videos you have personally created or edited.

7. Have you used ChatGPT as part of your work?

8. Are you comfortable following supplied scripts and detailed production instructions?

9. Are you comfortable updating a Google Sheet every day with videos posted and performance statistics?

10. Please describe your internet connection and computer setup.

11. What would you do if a supplied AI-generated video contained an obvious historical error?

12. At the beginning of your application, please write the words:

HISTORY VIDEO VA

Applications that do not include these words will not be considered.

Future Opportunity

This publishing catalogue contains hundreds of books and continues to grow.

If the short-form video strategy works, there is substantial ongoing work available. The successful person could eventually manage daily video creation and distribution across a large number of books and series.

I am looking for someone who would like to build a long-term working relationship and gradually take ownership of this part of the publishing operation.