This is post number 2 in a series that I’m calling Who do you need to hire? If you missed my first post, start here. This post is all about whether a Project Manager would be the right hire for your online business. Let’s jump right in.
When do you hire a Project Manager?
The best time to hire a project manager is BEFORE you run into too many team members and too many projects to track/manage, but that is rarely the time that most online business owners hire a PM. They usually hire a virtual assistant to do this, but sometimes they end up overwhelming the virtual assistant who now has to manage everything else plus implement the regular tasks that they already have on their plate. Don’t burnout your virtual assistant. It happens time and time again.
Hire a project manager whose sole job it is to help you to manage all your existing projects and your team members and report back to you. Once you get overwhelmed with tracking all the things by yourself and you no longer have time to implement new ideas or new strategies in your business, it is time to hire a Project Manager.
What types of Project Managers are there?
Lucky for you, there are fewer types of project managers than there are virtual assistants. This is because project management is a more specialized or niche area, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some exceptional virtual assistants who can’t project manage. Some just don’t realize that this is a thing in the online business space, so they use the title Virtual Assistant until they know better (know better, do better). Full Disclosure: Once upon a time that was me.
- Online/Digital Project Manager
- Most times the term online and digital are used interchangeably. So, if you see a post for online or digital project manager – it means the same thing, a project manager who works in the online space as a freelancer or entrepreneur.
- Technical Project Manager
- These types of project managers usually have a technical background and/or education, just like a technical virtual assistant. An ITPM (Information Technology Project Manager) will also fall into this category.
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- These types of project managers went the extra step and studied and paid to take the PMP exam offered by the Project Management Institute to earn the right to use PMP as part of their title. Some traditional jobs look for PMs to have this certification, but let me be clear. A project manager not having this title does not mean that they do not meet the criteria.
Am I ready for the next level of online support?
A project manager is usually your next level of support as you grow your online business team. But, if you’re not overwhelmed and you like managing your own online project management tools, you may very well skip this step. However, if you already have a VA and a PM and still feel like you need more support, there is another level of support that you can explore. Check out Part 3 in my Blog Series – Who do you need to hire?
Your Virtual Asset @ Outsource Mondays
Do you already have a Project Manager? Answer below and share where you found them to help another online business owner like you.