When I started my first business, it was an easy choice because I was just continuing to do what I was doing in the corporate world, but just on my own. I was confident that I knew how to serve my clients because it was something I was comfortable doing and felt experienced in. It was that natural next step.
But then I realized quickly that you never know everything when building a business. My eyes were opened to a new world that was slightly overwhelming. But I quickly learned that I didn’t have to put myself in a box and just do corporate marketing because that’s what I had always done. There were other ways I could use the skills I had through corporate marketing to serve the people I wanted to serve and create a business that would allow me to grow personally and professionally too.
During my first six months as an entrepreneur I was a sponge. Soaking in all the trainings, investing in some courses/coaching, and just taking it all in. I was finding success in my business, but knew that it wasn’t 100 percent aligned to the direction I wanted to go in and what I wanted to do. Then I saw someone posting about virtual assistants and online business managers. I felt like it sounded like exactly what I wanted to offer and allowed me to serve entrepreneurs -- my true people!
It was scary to make that decision to basically completely start a new business from scratch, but I knew in order to get to the level of success that I wanted, I needed to level up. So I took the leap, hired a brand strategist and website designer, then a mentor and went all-in. That decision allowed me to create the business of my dreams and grow to levels of success I dreamed of.
I feel like we ALL get to that point in our businesses where we know we need help to get to that next level, but we’re scared. Maybe of letting go of some control, maybe of walking into the unknown, making of making an investment we’re not 100 percent sure of the return. But that has to happen and you have to make that big, scary next step to be able to get to the next level of success in your business.
For some of you, that may be hiring an online business manager (OBM). Here are three reasons why you should consider hiring an OBM to help grow your business:
MORE TIME
How often do you say, “I just wish I had more time in my day”? I think we all could claim that more time would help us get more done, but in reality, we can get more accomplished in less time if we’re outsourcing the right things effectively. Hiring an OBM will give you more time back in your business. It will allow you to create margins. You won’t be flustered with trying to make sure all your sequences are set up right, or your launch plan is moving along at the right pace, or managing your VA and social media manager, or drafting and scheduling your social content, etc.
You will be free knowing someone else is keeping up with the behind the scenes so you can be more present. Maybe it’s more time for you to spend coaching clients, or building websites, or creating content. Maybe it’s giving you the ability to stop working at a decent hour to spend more time with your husband and kids. Maybe it will finally allow you the time to THINK about what you want to do next and be proactive vs. reactive all the time. More time is probably the biggest blessing and benefit an OBM can give you day-to-day.
Fresh Perspective
An OBM is a strategic partner. While they’re not a business coach, they do have the ability to think strategically about your processes and are an extension of you and your business. They know the ins and outs of what you do and how your business works, so oftentimes they can offer a fresh perspective to an issue, concern or idea. Something you may not have thought of because you’re so “in” your own business and it’s always nice to have someone that understands what you do, who your target is and where you want to go to bounce ideas off of. It also depends on what OBM you hire and what their strengths are. I know for me personally, I have a robust background in PR and marketing which often serves my clients well in that I understand and can help them grow their social following, and create a full marketing strategy for them to strategically grow their business.
Knowledge and Expertise
Do you know about every single new platform or technology that is out there? Or what new features a certain platform has launched? No. There are probably a lot of things you don’t have time to worry about or don’t care about. You just want someone to tell you what to use and how to do it. Here’s where an OBM can help. This is the stuff they love (at least I do) and geek out over. They’re systems people, organizers and they want to use the latest and greatest and most efficient tools and technology out there and they probably have used a great deal of them with all their clients. They’re constantly thinking of how things could be done more efficiently and this knowledge is golden to helping your business grow and thrive.
The other plus side of this is that you don’t have to learn all these new platforms. They’ve already done that. Whether it was with another client or in their spare time, they come to you with this expertise already. Or, if you find yourself wanting a solution to something that repeatedly comes up for you, they’ll likely have a suggestion already or will talk through a solution, process or course of action with you.
I know that hiring someone can be scary. Trusting someone with your baby, your business that you so passionately built is HARD. I get it (I’m super type A and kinda a control freak at times). But at the same time, it’s so necessary to grow your business. Imagine what you can do with TWO OF YOU!? An OBM is such a great hire because this person is going to be invested in YOU and your business growth. They’re strategically thinking about ways to HELP YOU vs. just complete tasks and move on. Now I will caution, before you hire anyone, vet them. Look at their website, client testimonials, engage with them on social, read their content and schedule a discovery call to make sure they are the right fit for you and your business. Is it time for you to take that next step and massively grow your business?
Have you heard?I am now offering something that I think will be a total game-changer for your business! Do you have four hours to learn how to put in place and manage customized systems that will save you countless hours of time, and make your life 100x easier? I’m now booking clients for 4-hour Systems Intensives! I want to help you set your business up, or get your business organized with all the best systems and processes to help you THRIVE, save you time and reduce your stress friend!! Learn more here.
Katelyn Hamilton is an Online Business Manager and Get Your Sh!t Together Strategist. She helps busy entrepreneurs organize, strategize and prioritize their business to go from overwhelmed to out-in-front.
After spending 6 years in the corporate world working with multimillion dollar companies, top-rated chefs and celebrities, she launched her own business to find more flexibility and freedom. She matched her corporate salary in just one year of starting her business.
Katelyn is also a soon-to-be wife, stepmom, dog mama of two furry friends, fitness lover, sports fanatic (Go Dawgs) and dreams of living at the beach.
Click here to book a free call to talk more about your business goals and to see if hiring an OBM is the right fit for you.
