What's the Difference Between an OBM & VA?
If you’ve been in the business for a while, this question has probably plagued you since the beginning. If you’re just starting out, you’ve probably decided this is a mystery for another day. But it’s an easy enough questions to answer, so I’m happy to clear the air once and for all, and offer a simple answer: an OBM (online business manager) sets up the systems and a VA (virtual assistant) works within those systems.
PC: Surface via Unsplash
OBM vs. VA
The two easily go hand-in-hand. You might hire an OBM if your desk is cluttered in papers and your filing system makes you more anxious than organized. You’ll hire a VA when all of that is settled and you need someone to pick up some of the extraneous (or even some of the more important) tasks and take them off your hands.
Both roles are incredibly important and most small business owners and entrepreneurs should consider bringing on one or both at some point - after all, you’re just one person, and running your own business can be an overwhelming and cluttered state of being.
To get a clear idea which one you’re ready for, or if either will be a boon to your business, I’ve put together this handy list of what each might help you with as you take your business to the next level.
OBM
Main goal: To set up SOPs and strategic growth plans, pinpoint problem areas and tasks that eat up all your time, implement automations, talk you through frustrations, identify what types of team members would help you most, and act as temporary COO - all while collaborating with you and orienting you towards your goals!
Whew! That’s a lot, but OBMs are really here to help you manage your business. OBMs know that you probably started by just jumping in and you kind of made up systems and processes as you went. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, by the way.
But now these systems and processes may no longer serve you and your business, or don’t cater to the growth you’re experiencing. In discussing and determining the exact areas that are holding you back and eating into your creative time, an OBM can refine your operations into efficient SOPs and automations that do the work for you (most of the time).
An extra cherry on top is that OBMs can come in, shake up your world, and then bounce, leaving you with a newly organized business strategy, clear goals, and refreshed state of mind. Or, they can stay on and work behind the scenes on a regular basis to keep you on track.
PC: Paico Oficial via Unsplash
VA
Main goal: Handle all the tasks that eat up your time on a project-by-project basis, as a more consistent contract employee, or as a full-time team member. A VA can work in any niche, have general or very specific skills, and can help you grow your business, expand your services, and even manage your calendar.
VAs are versatile workers. As mentioned above, some may niche down into certain industries or even tasks: accounting, interior design, copywriting, administration, executive assistance, email management, social media marketing. Others stay general VAs who handle almost any part of your business. They will do client outreach, onboarding, emails, invoicing and budgeting, web design, phone calls, make travel arrangements, customer support, hiring, research, data management, and even dabble in social media. And oh so much more!
The trick is finding the VA that is able to do the jobs you’d like to get off of your plate. You’ll always collaborate and communicate with them, so you won’t be completely free from some aspects of their tasks, but your primary focus will no longer be the little extraneous things and you can get back to what you love most about your business.
Not sure where to start? Let’s chat! My strategic consulting call is 50 minutes where you get to vent about your frustrations, where I can help you flesh out a plan, and where we can identify your goals, needs, and next steps. Plus you get some personalized tools and referrals based on our conversation!
