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Imagine your life in Color 2023"Head of Table"

Nov 16, 2023

"Think" In Color 2023 is officially over! We're thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to take part in the lineup of amazing women as also BIPOC founders and creators of the business. We're hoping that, at after the conference you're impressed by the experiences of our presenters and learned how to create a powerful virtual community, diversify your services and grow the business of your organization and increase your reach, among others.

Though many issues were debated at the forum, we've done our best in bringing the most important points to the attention of. Find out what we took away from each speaker.

Skip ahead:

     Creating Cozy & Collaborative Virtual Communities    

Cicely Blain, an anti-racism expert and co-founder of Bakau Consulting. Bakau Consulting

The session's description Remote working was not a new concept prior to COVID-19 was discovered and implemented, it increased the need that businesses move into a digital space. Then, businesses that wanted to maintain a constant connection to their customers set up up virtual communities where similar-minded individuals are able to share knowledge and encourage the other. However, it can be difficult to build an online community that is as tight like a physical one.

In this video, Cicely Blain shares their process of building their own virtual community called Living Room. They shared how they created an inviting and warm atmosphere within the online world by creating secure and inclusive communities, and making use of technology to meet people's demands.

Principal Takeaways

Know who your audience is, and what they're looking for.

Before creating Living Room, Cicely had determine who they were trying to create the digital space for. Because their work is rooted in the fight against discrimination and racism, Cicely knew that this audience was predominantly people like DEI practitioners, consultants, as well as HR professionals who do similar jobs.

After that, Cicely had to figure out what exactly they were looking for.

"I thought about what they are eagerly anticipating especially at this point of transformation, in which everything is shifting and being called many terms?

     People are searching for a sense of the sense of community, unity, connection, and a sense of unity during the midst of stark isolation. [They're also] searching for ways to be connected and learn."

 You should be an audience-friendly website.

One of the most effective methods to get individuals to join your virtual community is to give them something they are able to relate to. For Cicely the thing that was relatable was their home space. They sought to replicate their cozy, comfortable atmosphere that their own living space gave them.

     "I was thinking, "What would I want people feeling in this location?' I thought, well I'd like them feeling the same how they would feel if they walk into this physical place. The space should feel warm, inviting and comfortable. I would like them to feel at ease at ease, reassured as well as understood."

Cicely incorporates this spirit in her community by:

  • Each virtual conference is a ten minute reflection. The conference hosts ask simple questions that is projected on screen to encourage participants to engage in self-reflection.
  • The soft playlist is a calming R&B-style one that helps users to relax and get comfortable during the phone call.
  • Engaging in each conversation as if engaging in conversation with the closest people. As you are making videos for the online courses, Cicely might be doing makeup, or perhaps making an iced tea at the kitchen table.

Offer a range of ways for community members to obtain what they require

Even though the participants of the community virtual are generally like each other but they'll have distinct requirements, as well as strengths and strengths and. For your company, you'll have to figure out various ways that you meet the requirements from your clients, in spite of the distinctions.

Together together with Living Room, Cicely met the needs of their neighbors by:

  • Engaging in various ways (e.g. chat forums, live discussion, comprehensive online courses and more. );
  • Definition of values common to all and the guidelines for the community;
  • The dress code allows people to wear their authentic selves;
  • Elimination of stressors that are not needed, like time limitations and meeting agendas;
  • Consider accessibility requirements (e.g. the neurodivergence and disability), etc.

Fonds in the Funnel how to maximize sales with a Customer-Focused Funnel

Ellie Diop, Content and Finance Coach in Ellievated Academy

Description of the meeting: To build a successful business, you need customers to buy your goods or services, or to avail with your offerings. But, most businesses fall into the trap of creating the kind of content their ideal clients will want, rather than the content their customers really want. In this talk, Ellie explains how you can increase your sales and boost sales by designing the right funnel to draw in your most desirable customers, and is tailored to their needs and wants.

The main lessons learned can be summarized as follows:

HTML0Every aspect of the content is important.

A funnel that focuses on the customer can be defined as creating a connection with your clients. One of the best ways to achieve this is producing content that is informative pertinent, helpful, useful and beneficial to your clients. A funnel that is focused on your customer's needs comprises five stages:

  • Awareness
  • Discovery
  • Inquiry
  • Conversion
  • Retention, relationship and REPEAT

Concerning how important it is to write content, Ellie says, "Every article you write is a part of the sales staff. Therefore, whatever you published in the last three months has been working to guide your customers through this procedure... Making sure you are consistent in your appearance and an identical style helps create an established tone which your clients can understand and aid them through this process."

Make your brand clear

If you don't know the people your services or products will not be able to convince anyone to be able to buy from you or cooperate with the people you're targeting. Before you create an online channel, you need be able to define your company's mission and mission by starting by identifying the perfect customer. You can ask yourself:

  • Who do I serve?
  • How can I assist my client in resolving their issue?
  • What do I need to know?

These are the underlying questions of your business decision-making decide to make. Ellie proposes a simple example: I help [YOUR TARGET audience] achieve the objectives of the product or service you offer.

Based on her personal experience growing her company, Ellie states, "For myself, this could mean "I support women to create prosperous businesses by assisting the necessary strategies and financial techniques '... The last time I did this, I wrote this on one of my post-it notes at the corner of my workplace, and each time I attempted to make a video, I remembered who I was talking about. "

Develop your social media followers

Social media is among the most efficient online channels to build brand recognition and also generating leads for your company. The results are so good that many customers will visit your business's Instagram account (or the other Facebook and Twitter sites) prior to visiting your website.

Therefore, it is important to dedicate your time (and perhaps money) into your content for social media in order to improve its reach. The best way to accomplish this is to:

  • creating engaging, educational, and shareable material (especially video)
  • Paid ads running
  • Work with influencers that share the same target market as you

 Lead magnets can be used to grow your email list

While you're producing video or other content, you want to attract the most popular users from social media onto your mailing list. The moment people sign up on your email subscriber list gives them the chance to interact directly with them. This is much more effective than when they stumble upon your videos and posts while scrolling through Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). This is where lead magnets come in.

If you're in the right situation, when you make use of lead magnets, you're handing the value of your product for free in exchange for contact information (usually their name and email address). Additionally, you can request other items in addition. At the start of her venture, Ellie provided free one-on-one training to customers in exchange reviews. The training was used to gain her first batch of paying clients.

     "You've got to look at the following question "What's an area in which I could provide a fantastic free service to make someone happy? Make it your primary attraction. (In my company) I implemented a new strategy recently where instead of pushing the customer directly towards a product and then directing you to a free offer, which is the free masterclass. After that, we sell the backend. Our experience has been excellent."

Retaining existing customers is much easier than finding new customers

Each new lead you receive The process of pushing them down the funnel of sales. This is a lot harder than convincing a customer to buy from you again more. Therefore, you should focus on the retention of customers at the same or more as you do customer acquisition.

If you want to retain your clients, there are steps to follow:

  • High-end customer service
  • Make use of surveys from customers to collect feedback
  • Get testimonials from customers who are satisfied (offer incentive programs, when feasible)
  • Develop a new product to address market needs

In creating the second offer, Ellie shares, "I had my first credit offer to business class for 15 dollars. At the same time I started getting opinions of my customers on what theywould like to see the next time around. This led me to develop an idea for Business Credit revamped. Then, I created an complete Business Credit masterclass, and after that, the whole bundle. This resulted in many of those who purchased the first then bought the next one to fill in the gaps parts. They then bought the third one because they had grown in knowledge, and they wished to know more."

Growth of Both B2C and B2B businesses with Multiple Revenue sources

Jessica Chen, Global Communication Expert & CEO of Soulcast Media

Description of the talk: Businesses in general, are comprised of three main sales and revenue elements that they must consider: their services and offerings and the content they produce to describe the products and services they offer, as well as the platforms via which they share their information. In this session, Jessica discusses the power of LinkedIn to help businesses connect with their clients (B2C) as well as other organizations (B2B) and how you can create content that appeals to both types of audiences and how to expand your products and services in order to meet the needs of both audiences.

 LinkedIn is a powerful way to share content and grow your visibility

Many professionals and entrepreneurs use LinkedIn however, they aren't considering it as a platform that can help them increase your profile and publish content. Instead, they see it as an avenue for improving their resumes, seeking out possibilities to network and connect with people you know.

In real life, LinkedIn is a social media site, similar to Instagram or X (formerly Twitter), and ought to be treated as such. Only difference is what kind of content you post.

LinkedIn's draw is its social media presence. Jessica declares, "The appeal of LinkedIn is this: You're reaching an people who are in a stage of personal development as well as eagerness to grow. "

Jessica also shares the process of how she developed from speaking about her experience as a journalist in the year 2018 before becoming qualified Top Voice and a LinkedIn instructor in just five years. The reason she explains this is to be consistently on LinkedIn as well as connecting with a range of individuals who could profit from her service of helping others to improve their communication skills.

Modify the message you send to be able to meet the needs of both B2C and B2B viewers

The majority of business owners think that they can only gain visibility in the event that their material is targeted to consumers who are merely individuals. It's not the case.

The advantage of LinkedIn is that it can allow users to modify their messages to appeal to both B2C as well as B2B audience. LinkedIn's offer doesn't need to change, but altering how you present your company can increase your exposure and help you attract business and individual customers.

"I have found that, if I want to speak to a B2C audience I will use phrases like "you," "your" Have you ever thought about ...?'" says Jessica. "My manner of expressing myself is very clear. Therefore, everyone who reads my posts is able to feel like they are reading something personal.

     "[With the B2B market] instead of using 'you' and "your", I'm framing my talk by saying things like "the team" and "the team'. This makes it more positive and less personal]."

Set yourself up as an thought-leader to appeal to B2B audiences

Contrary to the typical client who simply needs a good product, buyers from B2B need to know they're purchasing from the best of the line. To get the interest of B2B customers, you'll have make yourself known as a specialist or a thought-leader in your industry, even if the products you sell are targeted at B2C audiences.

In the case of being an artist, you can create and sell an online photography workshop for your B2C customers. However, to gain B2B prospects, you can share thought-provoking content about your work in the area of art or about starting the company you want to establish through your artwork. If you provide one-on-one instruction classes that help employees be more productive You can reach out to B2B customers by sharing details about how to increase the efficiency of your company.

Thus, you'll be able to go from providing B2C products such as one-on-one classes, e-learning, as well as speaking engagements and seminars.

The Art of Designing Your Personal Brand through Video

XayLi Barclay professional as well as Visual Content Coach for Start Shoot Expand

Session description If you're an owner of a business can't you imagine it is difficult to get noticed, particularly when you sell in a saturated sector or market. The best way to counter this is by creating your own brand with video content, be it shorter TikTok clips, Instagram Reels, or longer-form YouTube videos. In this presentation, XayLi explains how you might use videos to promote your online courses as well as to generate sales. establish your name within the minds of people who buy from you.

It's not a lot to start with

When you're creating the first video or your very first livestream it's not required for everything to be flawless. You can start by using the content you have already. In the beginning, viewers are willing to overlook your poor video quality and editing abilities because they know that with time, you'll improve.

XayLi herself was the first to start with a laptop, white background and a ring light that was ripped from the mill.

"This is the place where I got my start in my first position, and even was approached to be one of their experts" she states. "I wanted to be patient until I had the set of the newsroom for my very first lesson. instruct people. I utilized the tools I had since I realized that what I was trying to teach was not just about how beautiful your set might look.

In the present, I have a full studio built in my home however, this is my first studio I've started years ago. "

More resources are available when you start to get more

As you gain more recognition when you upload your videos and begin to earn income then you are able to increase your equipment and upgrade your equipment for making videos. For instance it is possible to purchase an upgraded camera/webcam, tripod stand (worth between $500 and $1,000) with a green screen and E-CammLive as well as Teleprompter software, as well as an Adobe Premiere subscription for editing.

A discussion on the most recent equipment and set-up upgrades XayLi mentions, "[At this stage] it is possible to have different camera angles and more. Now is the time to put money into these things as you're earning money. We [often] think that we must look nice in order to make the money. No. It's necessary to be to the market, so that the money can begin arriving."

If you're making enough money, you could start outsourcing your video recording production edits and distribution employees or contractors.

HTML0Focus on one thing in the present

It's common to think that you need to do everything to scale your business. You must publish on every channel, get involved in every new trend, and talk about several issues. However, this isn't always true. It's much better to focus only on one thing at a time as you develop your personal brand. It not only stops your enthusiasm from diminishing and taking up too much time, you also let your audience know what they should be anticipating from you every time you upload a video.

According to XayLi Barclay's "Rule of 5 Fives" Here are five elements to consider when you are defining your digital strategy:

  • One service or product
  • One market you can target
  • One lead tool for conversion
  • The primary traffic source
  • One objective for business

Memberships include The Good, The Bad as well as The Ugly

Teri Ijeoma one of the founder of Trade & Travel

Summary of the class: If done correctly, memberships can be great for companies to build stronger relationships with clients and generate additional revenues. Teri Ijeoma has created an online membership platform that caters to Trade & Travel and she is now home to over 35,000 individuals attending her courses and more than 185,000 email list subscribers. In this talk, Teri shares the benefits from establishing a system for membership along with a detailed explanation of how organizations can create and manage the membership in a way which is efficient.

Know when to transition from a no-cost group into a model of paid membership

If you're not a famous business, then you'll need to establish a subscription program, offering benefits at no cost. Teri started hers using an account in Facebook which was completely free. As you grow your network, it is crucial to know when you should move from a group that's free to a paid subscription model.

There are a few indicators you should be aware of prior beginning a new turn

  • The company you work for is growing in size, yet the participants pay an annual cost to be eligible for the offer- instead of paying to receive any other benefits the organization provides, e.g. year-long customer support, etc.
  • Each group member starts their own groups or meetings, which makes difficult the administration of the group.
  • Group moderators are hired as coaches who provide consulting to group members, but they do not earn any extra income from your members.

HTML0 Your member program is a service of its own

Many companies who offer online courses also provide the option of membership as an additional benefit to their courses. A membership program can be an effective way of making your course more valuable but, it needs to be treated as an actual product, not a mere add-on.

In the interview she gave about her Trade & Travel membership, Teri admits "In early on I thought this was just a continuation of my journey. However, this is not the case. This is a product that stands independent of any other product. It should have its own team, promotion, marketing schedule... The best thing to do is think of it as a product in and of itself."

You must be informed of the price you will pay.

If you're transitioning from a no-cost group to one that is paid for think about your desired income and price your offer on the basis of the same. It's possible to make the offer more affordable to draw many more members. But if you're sure that your program packed with quality, then don't hesitate to ask for a high price to get it.

As in the previous example If you're looking to make $10,000 per month, it's best to have 500 people paying $200 per month than 1000 people to make $100 a month. In reality, the more expensive rates you charge more likely customers would be interested in signing up. Also, you'll achieve your revenue goals more quickly, while also being able to manage your program.

Head of Table Panel Discussion

Diandra Marizet (Host) Executive Director & co-founder of Intersectional Environmentalist

The description of the panel discussion includes participants Cicely, Ellie, Jessica Cicely, Jessica XayLi sharing their perspectives regarding the importance of representation and inclusion in the corporate world. They also discuss challenges women as well as BIPOC entrepreneurs face as they become creators as well as what they could do to determine the price of their goods ethically in a capitalist market.

Here are a few of the most poignant questions and answers in this debate:

     Women entrepreneurs, especially those from groups that are underrepresented, are now financially secure for the first time. What new challenges, issues, and opportunities does this mean for women entrepreneurs?

Ellie Diop: Just like there's poverty trauma and wealth trauma also. When you're the first one in your family to own an income of between six and seven figures enterprise, there's many examples to learn from. There's still a stigma around discussing money, especially for those that is of color, and earning more than most people see over their lifetime.

For example, when I earned my first million dollars, I was afraid to leave my mom's house. I was hesitant to put in the funds because I didn't know what I would take in the event it disappeared. It was also nerve-wracking to tell my family members since I was afraid they'd think differently of me.

The thing I'd love to see more of is collaboration places like these that can eliminate this stigma and declare "Hey is something going on? If you're worried about earning more money, and how is the best way to use it? Don't be shy to share your thoughts". This stigma is the reason that numerous people make lots of money, and then return to their previous position.

     In the business world, frequently it is necessary to be able to blend, code-switch or to be quiet or leave parts of us out. There are times when we don't believe that we're component of professionalism. What have those experiences taught you regarding how to can contribute to the society which you reside in, and the way you integrate that into your work as an DEI professional?

Cicely Blain: In the media system we were raised in, there is a certain sort of person that is featured in TV, media, and social media, in addition to when certain creators online enjoy a lot of traction while other creators are being shadow-banned it becomes apparent you need to follow a specific way of speaking and being.

When you find a space where you're acknowledged for what you are by the people around you and your leaders (even even if they're not having the same lived experiences as you do) it's a great sensation. While representation is growing and there are more chances offered, there's still two standards for the way people show up. It's easy to internalize these double rules (even even though they may not be true) which can keep us from reaching our goals.

On TikTok there's an abundance of users who don't appear polished and put together regularly. Although it's wonderful but I think that the possibility is limited to some users due to an increased expectation of other people's appearance as well as how they present themselves.

If you are faced with the issue of having to decide that your current path does not align with where your capacity can be and what your dream can be, why not consider taking the step of transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship?

Jessica Chen: All of us have a point when we know that the vision that we set out to achieve is done and we're now willing to explore something else. Myself I was working in an extremely rewarding job which I was happy with, but after 10 years of working it was clear that there was something more to offer. I've always been the kind of person who has the capability of creating my own path. Therefore, I began to consider ways in which I could share my experience to my fellow students.

My first job was journalism, which you may think of as an "proper" occupation where you can't share your ideas, and do not have a unique voice when you're telling others' stories. It was a jarring transition to begin creating my own voice and displaying my individuality. It was certainly a learning process.

     How do you approach pricing your services or products so that you can attract customers who have the same mindset looking to gain knowledge from you and recognize the value of the service or product you provide?

XayLi Barclay A majority of the time we offer cheap prices, and we overburden the person who's investing which is not good for the person investing. It's easy to think there will be a large number of customers if you price your products low. But, the likelihood is that you're dealing with buyers who feel overwhelmed but aren't willing to act.

I sought out a coach for my business to figure out how much I'd earn, and then determine my pricing based on the volume. It's common for creators who launch an online course for $7 to earn six figures for the course but they're not able to set a price. If you're a creator with a limited budget It's essential to be aware of what you intend to achieve as a company and be able to set the right price for your products.

If I can offer five online courses at a cost of $1,000 each class, I'll make five thousand dollars instead of selling 500 courses for the rate of $10 for each class. Consider it this way. That's the process I was required to experience.

Watch the sessions in Think in Color 2023 on-demand

This is an overview of the key information from the event that lasted for three hours designed for budding as well as established entrepreneurs who work in the development economics. We invite you to dig deeper into any of those topics that have caught your curiosity.

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