Feeling Overwhelmed? Here’s How To Know Whether You Need a VA or an OBM (Part 1 of 4)

May 13

You’re managing client work, answering emails, posting on social media, trying to launch something new… and somewhere between school drop-off and your third cold coffee, you realize you can’t keep doing it all.

Is this a task problem… or is it time to look at delegating?

As a small business owner you don’t have to do it all though it may feel easier that way. Take this as your permission to stop and explore solutions that can help move your growth in the direction you see for your business.

This month I’m writing a 4 Part Series all about how you can make the decision if now is the time to finally take the load off your plate through the support of a VA or OBM.

The Difference Between a VA and OBM

Being that you have stumbled to my corner of the internet, you’ve likely already seen the terms virtual assistant (VA) and online business manager (OBM) before, but you might be wondering the main differences between the two and what exactly it is we’re able to do and provide support with!

Let me break it down:

What Are Virtual Assistants?

Think of a VA as your task doer – someone that can gain understanding of a process and complete it from there. Common tasks that VA’s can help with include:

Administrative support
Inbox/calendar management
Travel logistics
Customer service support
CRM/data entry
Content scheduling

➡️ Best for: Small business owners who have capacity to oversee the day to day but need help with the execution

What Are Online Business Managers?

An Online Business Manager (OBM) is your strategic partner in business – someone who comes alongside your goals and helps implement the bigger picture items, like:

Strategy + implementation
Project management
Team oversight
SOP creation
Operational efficiency
Launch support

➡️ Best for: Businesses that need help scaling and leading.

Signs It’s Time to Outsource to a VA or OBM For Your Small Business

In the beginning, I mentioned a scenario of an overworked business owner who is juggling it all to keep the wheels moving. That is a perfect example of someone who could take back their time by hiring a VA or OBM.

Here’s how to know which one your business specifically needs:

Signs You Need a VA

You’re buried in admin tasks and can’t get to the big picture
You miss emails and appointments
Your CRM is messy to a point you don’t even open it
You know what needs done but lack time unless you work till 4 in the morning
You know that having an extra set of hands would give you hours back a month for your passions

Signs You Need an OBM

You are bogged down by answering team member questions
You create a bottleneck in completing projects
Nothing feels organized
Preparing for launches on top of everything else seems overwhelming
Revenue is growing but systems are breaking

Ready to hire a VA or OBM for your small business?

I know what it takes to run a successful small business and having those big dreams that feel ready to grab on to. You may not need “more hustle” rather you simply may need the right support.

If you know it’s time to hire a VA or OBM for your small business, I would love to connect to see if working together would be the right fit!

As an Online Business Manager for small business owners, I offer various service options, including:

Systems + Process Development
Team Accountability + Hiring Support
Client Experience

And if I’m not the right girl for the job, I would love to help you find the person who IS!

CLICK HERE to book a free 15 minute call and let’s find you the right fit!

Jamie Ready