7 Powerful Ways Hiring an OBM Can Help You Grow: A Guide for Small Business Creatives

Understanding the Chaos in Your Small Business

We know the scene all too well: late-night to-do lists, 17 open browser tabs, unread DMs, color-coded-but-still-confusing Trello boards, and a sinking feeling that you’re the bottleneck in your own business.

That’s not failure. That’s life as a small business creative... but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

If you’re constantly in reaction mode, struggling to get ahead, or just can’t seem to move your dream forward in a sustainable way, it’s time for a shift. That shift starts with organization—but not the “buy a planner and cross your fingers” kind. We’re talking strategic, sustainable, scale-friendly organization. And that’s where your Online Business Manager (OBM) comes in. Keep reading to discover how hiring an OBM for your creative small business will help organize your chaos!

What Is an Online Business Manager (OBM)?

An Online Business Manager is not just a glorified Virtual Assistant. (No shade to VAs; we love them. But we’re talking about something else here.)**

**If a VA is what you need, check out our Launch Pad Package!

OBMs are systems-driven, strategy-minded professionals who partner with you to organize, manage, and grow your business. Their role is to step into the backend of your business and help you:

• Build efficient systems

• Manage your team

• Oversee launches and day-to-day ops

• Create a real strategy for growth

They’re the ones who say, “Hey, we don’t need five tools for this. Let’s streamline.” And then they actually do it. Where a VA takes the to-do list you already have (and checks items off it), an OBM is helping you figure out what needs to even go on the list, and then also checking items off (while continuing to add more as things come up). They help you move from reactive to proactive. Another way of saying it? With a VA, you manage them. With an OBM, they help manage the business for you.

Why Your Small Business Needs More Than Just a Helping Hand

You didn’t start your business to become a project manager, tech support desk, or HR department. Yet here you are doing all the things, with no time left to be the visionary.

Hiring a team of VAs might help you check off tasks. But an OBM helps you step out of the weeds so your business can actually grow. They act as a buffer and bridge between your big-picture dreams and the nitty-gritty implementation that brings those dreams to life.

And more importantly? They give you your brain back... and your time and your room to breathe and your sanity too. They lighten your mental load so you can do what you do best again.

Want to learn more about how an OBM can help lighten your mental load? Check out this blog post.

How Hiring an OBM Will Help Your Small Business GROW

OBMs are the Marie Kondos of the digital business world, if Marie Kondo also used Canva and Dubsado.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Audit + Assess

First, we take a deep look under the hood. What’s working? What’s duct-taped together? What was never there that needed to be? What's there that never should have been? What problems are keeping you stuck, eating your time, or stealing your creative energy?

2. Streamlining Workflows

Chances are you have a lot of systems in place that exist simply because it's what you came up with at the time. That's not going to fly long term. There's no need to keep reinventing the wheel every time you onboard a client or launch a product. OBMs create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) so everyone (even future you) knows what to do.

3. Automation Tools

OBMs will evaluate tools and platforms that make sense for your business; and get rid of the ones that don't. We’re talking email sequences, CRM automations, task management systems, client workflows... without all the overwhelm. If you don't have the systems set up yet, we'll help you find the right ones for you, and then help you get them set up too.

4. Accountability + Strategy Partners

Solopreneurs and small teams are constantly running aground on decision-fatigue. It's just too much to have the buck always stopping with you. The relief and confidence that can be gained from sharing your idea with someone and having them come back with "That's a great idea!" or a "What if you did that, but tried it this way instead." is so underappreciated. An OBM will be your sounding board and then keep you accountable to the goals you set.

5. Nurturing Client Journeys

You probably got into your business because you were passionate about sharing yourself with your clients. You want to be the face they see but you are so dog-gone tired of the backend that you can't seem to keep up. The right OBM will get your client journeys cleaned up and simplified so you can be the face they see again.

6. Lead Capture + Sales

   The content you create and provide doesn't mean anything if people aren't seeing it, connecting with it. You need someone to keep your opt-ins, landing pages, upsells, and bump offers engaging and up-to-date so your sales funnel doesn't clog up with just viewers. An OBM will lean into your marketing and strategize with you to increase your reach.

   
   

7. Creative Thinking

   Let's not forget, you're a creative business owner. So, you need someone who can think creatively. Who can look outside the box, draw outside the lines, to get you the results you need. What you're doing isn't working, or at least needs some adjustments to keep going. You've tried, but it's time to let someone else come in and see what they can see. A good OBM will provide excellent and creative backend support so you can focus on the parts of your business that only you can do.

And so much more...

It truly would take so much more than one blog article to go into everything that we can do for you. Your business is unique and nuanced. You have specific issues that need fixing and goals that need reaching. That's why a clarity call is our must-have first step. We're not going to make empty promises or grand commitments. We're going to show up and commit to you and your business as real partners in this.

Organize Your Business. Empower Yourself.

If you've been wondering how to organize your small business and get yourself unstuck and on to the next step, then I'm glad you found us. This is what we do.

If you're ready to stop simply reacting to problems as they arise and to start being proactive about your business and its next steps, then it's time for us to have a chat. I’d love to help organize your chaos and get you back on track. Reach out today to schedule a call.

Want to learn more? Check out the rest of our blogs here.