If you’re curious about (or intimidated by) the idea of outsourcing as an online therapist, this guide is for you!
Have you ever considered outsourcing some of your work? Hiring a third party to work for you can increase efficiency and help you grow your business.
Outsourcing as an online therapist also allows you to delegate business chores that you don’t enjoy doing so that you can focus on the core tasks of your business (or what some people refer to as “your zone of genius” – Mental Health Work & Therapy!
We already have one post on our blog that touches on the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant and outsourcing as an online therapist and mental health professional.
However, did you know that some business owners actually need an Online Business Manager (OBM) instead of a Virtual Assistant (VA)? If you’re thinking about outsourcing some of your work, read on to find out which role would be the best addition to your business.
Introducing Claire Kinnell, our Guest Expert on Outsourcing!
Every few months in the LIT Community, we host an external guest expert to help shed light on important business-related topics that our members need support with.
We recently invited guest expert, Claire Kinnell, to discuss with us the differences between a VA and an OBM, and how to know which one to hire.
Claire has worked with female service providers in the coaching and wellness space for years, first as a virtual assistant and then as an online business manager. This post contains the main takeaways from her presentation to help you with successfully outsourcing as an online therapist.
Outsourcing as an Online Therapist: What are the differences between a VA and an OBM?
Before we look at whether you need to hire a virtual assistant or an online business manager, it’s important to understand the differences between these two roles. So, here’s a quick summary:
VA – Virtual Assistant
– simply completes tasks that are assigned to them
– is working “for“ you
OBM – Online Business Manager (can also be referred to as a DBM = digital business manager)
– takes on responsibility for projects and tasks
– focuses on the overall management of the business
– handles day to day operations
– is working “with“ you
While a virtual assistant can help you save time, an online business manager can assist you in growing your business. Generally, you can say that a business manager will be more focused on the larger vision and goals and less on a single task as a virtual assistant would be.
Both a VA and OBM can be hired long-term or short-term. Short-term is especially helpful if you need someone for a specific project or when you know a busy period is ahead of you. Either one will help you feel supported and less alone in your business.
Outsourcing as an Online Therapist: What a VA and an OBM can do for you
There are so many things your VA or OBM can help you with in your business. Here are just a few examples.
A VA can help you…
… create content (e.g., research, writing blog posts or newsletters, light graphic design)
… manage your inbox and calendar (e.g., if a client needs to cancel or reschedule)
… maintain your website
… do research for your business
… by being your tech support (e.g., during live presentations)
… take care of your social media (which is especially helpful when you’re on vacation)
An OBM can help you…
…manage a new project and oversee it (e.g., start a new podcast)
…manage your team (e.g., answering questions, delegating tasks)
…manage systems (e.g., setting up automations)
…manage content (social media, blog, interviews etc.)
How to know whether you need an OBM or a VA
It can be tricky to figure out whether you need a Virtual Assistant or an Online Business Manager. The following overview might help you decide which person is the right fit for your business right now.
You need a VA if…
… you have a long list of delegable tasks
… you are spending too much time on little things that are not in your zone of genius
You need an OBM if…
… your projects are getting too chaotic
… you have too many contractors or team members to manage
… you have ideas that are not getting done
… you have no time to hire or train people
… you have no system in place, and everything lives inside your head
… you really want to scale your business
Outsourcing as an Online Therapist: How to find an OBM or VA for your business
Do you know what kind of help you are looking for? Great! Now it’s time to hire someone!
This can be through…
- reaching out to your Network/ Community
- Facebook Freelancer or Virtual Assistant Groups
- Searching on Instagram/Linkedin for keywords (e.g., “virtual assistant”)
- Freelance Platforms (like Upwork or Fiverr)
- Sending a job description to Virtual Assistant Internship or DBM Bootcamp
- Using a matchmaking service such as this one offered by Digital Nomad Kit
So now that you have learned more about outsourcing as an online therapist and hiring a VA vs. an OBM, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to outsource?
Let us know if you have any questions about outsourcing as an online therapist in the comments below!
You can connect with Claire Kinnell on her website if you want to find out more about what she offers and how to work with her. You can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
Are you looking for support in your location independent business & practice?
Whether you’re just setting up your business or you’re ready to scale it, you could benefit from joining us in the LIT Community. We host regular Community Business Meetups twice a month, just like the one this blog post is based on. And we invite guest experts into our community to talk about the topics you want to learn about!
You also get access to a supportive community of like-minded professionals who understand the challenges of setting up and growing a location independent practice. They can pick you up when you’re feeling down or provide advice, accountability, and support, depending on the situation.
And you get access to all our monthly and weekly events, our entire replay library, and all our resources when you join!
If you’re ready to invest in yourself and your business, the LIT Community could be the perfect place for you. Our doors are currently closed, but sign up to our waitlist to be the first to hear when they’ll next open.
