What is the Difference Between a VA and an OBM?

As a small business owner, you have likely encountered the terms Virtual Assistant (VA) and Online Business Manager (OBM). In general, OBMs and VAs  take tasks off your plate to free up your time and give you headspace to focus on business growth, working with your clients or having more time for family and friends again. 

While they both play essential roles in supporting online businesses, their responsibilities, skill sets, and impact on your business are distinct. Understanding the difference is key to deciding which professional you need to hire to take your business to the next level.

The Role of a Virtual Assistant (VA)

A Virtual Assistant is a professional who provides administrative support remotely. VAs are task-oriented and specialize in specific areas like social media management, email marketing, customer support, or calendar management. Their focus is on execution—getting tasks done efficiently and accurately based on your instructions.

Typical VA Responsibilities:

• Scheduling appointments and managing calendars
• Responding to emails and customer inquiries
• Posting on social media platforms
• Organizing files and managing data entry
• Updating website content

In short, VAs are your go-to professionals for handling routine tasks that keep your business running smoothly.

The Role of an Online Business Manager (OBM)

An Online Business Manager, on the other hand, takes on a higher-level, strategic role in your business. OBMs focus on managing operations, overseeing projects, and ensuring that systems and teams work seamlessly together. They act as your right hand, helping you implement your vision and freeing up your time to focus on what only you can do: growing your business.

Typical OBM Responsibilities:

• Managing large-scale projects, such as product launches or website redesigns
• Creating and optimizing systems for efficiency
• Overseeing team members and ensuring accountability
• Analyzing metrics to drive strategy and decision-making
• Acting as a liaison between you and your team

In essence, OBMs focus on strategy, leadership, and management—helping you move your business forward in a sustainable and scalable way.

Key Differences Between a VA and OBM

Scope of Work:

• VAs handle specific tasks, such as formatting blog posts, creating graphics for social media, or setting up email campaigns in your marketing platform. Their scope is task-focused and often tied to a checklist you provide.
• OBMs, however, manage broader operational areas. For example, an OBM might oversee the entire launch of a new online course. This includes coordinating with a copywriter for sales pages, ensuring deadlines are met, managing the tech setup for webinars, and analyzing post-launch data to identify areas for improvement. They take ownership of multi-level projects and ensure all moving parts work together.

Level of Involvement:

• VAs follow directions provided by you. For instance, you might ask a VA to schedule a week’s worth of social media posts or respond to specific customer service inquiries with pre-approved templates.
• OBMs take ownership, making decisions and managing day-to-day operations proactively on your behalf. For example, an OBM could implement a new project management system, train your team on its use, and establish workflows that improve efficiency across your business.

Skill Set:

• VAs excel in execution and specialize in particular tasks.
• OBMs bring leadership, strategy, and a broad understanding of business operations.

Impact:

• VAs save you time by taking tasks off your plate.
• OBMs drive growth by streamlining systems, managing teams, and implementing strategic plans.

Which Do You Need?

The choice between a VA and OBM depends on your business’s current needs and growth stage. If you’re overwhelmed with routine tasks that don’t require strategic oversight, a VA may be the perfect solution. However, if your business has grown to a point where managing operations, teams, and projects feels overwhelming, it’s time to bring in an OBM.

Final Thoughts

Both VAs and OBMs are crucial for small businesses, but they serve different purposes. By understanding their unique roles, you can hire the right professional to support your business’s needs and free up your time to focus on what truly matters.