What is an Online Business Manager?

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One of the great things about owning your own online or virtual business is that you are your own boss. As your business grows, however, one challenge is overseeing the mundane tasks and not having enough time to focus on your genius work. Your genius work is the things you are passionate about – the things that only you can do to take your business to the next level.

For many business owners, these mundane tasks include online and digital marketing including social media management. If this sounds familiar, then you may benefit from hiring an Online Business Manager (OBM.)

What is an OBM?

You may not be familiar with an OBM. A quick Internet search will tell you the definition of an OBM is:

A virtually based support professional that manages online based businesses, including the day-to-day management of projects, operations, team members, and metrics.

But what does that really mean?

The implication for you, the business owner, is that an OBM will take over management issues to leave you to focus on the things only you can do for your business.

Essentially, an OBM can see the big picture, so you don’t have to.

What is the difference between a VA and an OBM?

If you are familiar with a Virtual Assistant (VA) you may wonder what the difference is between a VA and an OBM. Their roles are actually quite different.

An OBM acts more like an Executive Assistant/Office Manager, meaning they work in a management capacity as overall strategists. Their role may include ensuring projects are completed on time and efficiently, delegating tasks or dealing with operations and expenses.

In short, an OBM is not the one completing the tasks but instead establishes and manages the team that does the work.

By comparison, a VA focuses on doing specific tasks or projects. A VA is the one actually doing the work. They support you by taking tasks off your to-do list.

One way to determine if hiring an OBM is right for you is to consider whether or not you can continue growing your business if you are the only one in charge. For example, you may be tired of feeling like you have to do everything. Or maybe you are so busy putting out fires that you can’t get to projects that create more revenue for your business. If this sounds familiar, an OBM might be a good fit for you.

When hiring an OBM a brainstorming session can help identify the best way for them to assist you. That may include managing revenue streams, your website, implementing marketing initiatives, launches, customer service and communication and business operations.

If you’re looking to free up more time so you can build your business, contact a Virtual Assistant or Online Business Manager and see if working with them is right for you!