What is the difference between an Online Business Manager and a Virtual Assistant? 

Are you a small business owner feeling overwhelmed by the demands of managing your online operations? If so, you're not alone. The good news is that there are plenty of virtual professionals out there who can help. But with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? In this post, we'll explore the difference between an Online Business Manager and a Virtual Assistant, so you can make an informed decision. 

What is an Online Business Manager? 

An Online Business Manager (OBM) is a professional who takes a holistic approach to managing your online business. They typically have a higher level of expertise than a Virtual Assistant, and they are focused on helping you achieve your business goals. An OBM is responsible for ensuring that all the moving parts of your business are working together smoothly, so you can focus on what you do best.

An OBM's role can include any or all of the following: manage your team, projects, and systems, and just ensure that everything is running efficiently. They can be responsible for overseeing your marketing campaigns, customer service, product development, and financial management also. They act as your right-hand person, providing strategic advice, creating systems and processes, and implementing solutions that help you achieve your goals.

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a professional who provides administrative support remotely. They typically focus on specific tasks or projects, such as scheduling appointments, managing email, social media management, and data entry. While some VAs may have specialized skills, such as graphic design or copywriting, their primary focus is on providing administrative support.

VAs are great for handling tasks that are time-consuming but don't require a high level of expertise. They can help you stay organized and manage your workload, but they don't provide the same level of strategic advice and support that an OBM does.

What is the difference?

The primary difference between an OBM and a VA is the level of expertise and the scope of their responsibilities. An OBM is focused on helping you achieve your business goals, while a VA is focused on providing administrative support.

OBMs are skilled at managing teams, projects, and systems, while VAs focus on specific tasks or projects. OBMs provide strategic advice and solutions, while VAs provide administrative support.

When to Hire an OBM vs. a VA

If you're looking for someone to provide administrative support and handle specific tasks, such as managing your email or social media accounts, a VA may be a good fit. But if you're feeling overwhelmed and need help managing your entire online business, an OBM may be a better choice.

An OBM can help you create systems and processes, manage your team, and provide strategic advice that helps you achieve your business goals. They're a great investment if you're serious about growing your business and need someone to help you manage the big picture.

Conclusion

In summary, both OBMs and VAs can provide valuable support for your online business, but they offer different levels of expertise and scope of responsibilities. If you're feeling overwhelmed and need help managing your entire online business, an OBM may be the right choice for you. But if you're looking for someone to handle specific tasks or projects, a VA may be a better fit.

~ Charity Stark