Help! Do I Need a VA or an OBM?
The time has come… you know your coaching business won’t grow any bigger unless you have support. The day-to-day tasks have piled up and you’re drowning in them.
Instead of coaching and creating clients, you’re tracking invoices, helping clients find their group portal log-in information, and doing all the little tasks needed to keep your business running.
Your coaching friends are all bringing on Virtual Assistants to help them and your coach has an Online Business Manager. But you don’t really know what either one does, let alone how they’re different.
Below, I’m breaking down the differences between Virtual Assistants and Online Business Managers so you know who to hire and when.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
The first hire is typically a Virtual Assistant (VA). VAs are task-oriented team members that help you complete your to-do lists.
Virtual Assistants do the work. The role of a virtual assistant is to be a DOER in the business.
A VA is responsible for their OWN tasks and projects being completed and delivered in a timely fashion.
A VA can help you implement and automate the processes inside your head so they can be easily replicated. They can manage your communications to filter out what doesn’t need to land in your inbox.
A VA can protect your time by managing your calendar. They can block time for your focused work, schedule clients at agreed-upon times, and ensure you have breathing room in your day.
A VA is very focused on their own work and will engage with fellow team members as needed to complete their own tasks.
Put simply - a VA works independently with a focus on completing their own tasks, and will often rely on the business owner (you!) telling them what needs to be done.
While some VAs are considered general admin VAs, others specialize in certain areas, like tech, customer support, social media, etc.
Virtual Assistants can be hired as contractors or employees and usually work for a monthly retainer of a set number of hours.
WHEN TO BRING ON A VA
Before you feel like you’re drowning and as soon as it’s financially feasible.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY A VA
$25 - $50/hour depending on years of experience and level of specialization. You can find VAs who work for less, but they’re generally located outside the US/Canada and you’ll have the challenge of significant time zone differences. I highly recommend working with a VA within one of two time zones from you.
ONLINE BUSINESS MANAGER
Online Business Managers (OBMs) help you strategize, plan, prioritize, and implement the many different elements of your business.
Online Business Managers make sure the work gets done.
An OBM is the key point of contact for the entire team - working closely with them on a day-to-day basis, to ensure that everyone is clear on their tasks & deadlines and has what they need to do their best work. This provides a gateway that allows you to focus on being the CEO and not the day-to-day operations.
An OBM is planning for the business at large - always looking ahead to what is coming up and creating plans & systems to ensure the business is running smoothly and effectively.
An OBM can work with you to create annual, quarterly, and/or monthly goals & objectives. Then map out a timeline, so you know what to expect months or weeks in advance.
An OBM can create preemptive emergency plans. You’ll know exactly what to do when Facebook goes down the day you have a live event scheduled.
Online Business Managers can be hired as contractors or employees. As contractors, they typically work on a retainer of a set number of maximum hours per month. Some OBMs offer project-based packages or specialized VIP Days.
WHEN TO BRING ON AN OBM
Are you in the Start-up Stage? Is your business earning $0-$250,000/yr
At this stage, you probably don't need to hire an OBM on a retainer. But this is a great time to work with an OBM on a project basis. You can book VIP intensives that set up your client onboarding process, create SOPs, create a launch strategy, or set up a project management tool. Or you can work with an OBM on a short-term retainer.
Are you in the Growth Stage? Is your business earning $250,000-$750,000/yr
At this stage, it's time to bring on an OBM. Until now, your VA has been sufficient in helping you get things done. But what got you here won't get you there. Growth means more people on the team (social media manager, video editor, website designer, etc.), and an OBM can help you grow, manage, and empower that team.
Are you in the Scaling Stage? Is your business earning over $750,000/yr?
At this stage, you must have someone advocating for the business and making sure that the back end is running smoothly. As the CEO, YOUR time should be spent on producing and delivering your product or service. Not detailing out every action step of your next launch, communicating with your team of retainer and project-based contractors, onboarding new team members, monitoring and posting social media...
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY AN OBM
The International Association of Online Business Managers sets the minimum rate for certified OBMs at $65/hr.
CAN I JUST HIRE SOMEONE WHO DOES BOTH?
Sorta…
It depends on where you are at in your business and what support you need. Many coaches run lean programs that don’t require more than one support person. If that’s true for you, then you may only need a VA.
But remember, a VA is an implementer, a task-doer. If you need someone who can be your thought partner, help you strategically approach the growth of your business, and keep you accountable, you’ll want someone who has the skills of a VA and an OBM.
This is where Operations Support services can be helpful. Operation Coordinators and Operation Managers can see the big picture, help you reach your goals, and take on the daily tasks to get you there.
Learn more about my Operations Support services.
