Interviews and news

2023's Color of the Table

Nov 19, 2023

The Think In Color 2023 has officially come to an end! We're thankful and pleased for you taking the time to attend our program of brilliant females and BIPOC creators and innovators in the field. We'd like to think that at the end of your evening, you'll be amazed by our speaker's experience and gain knowledge on how you can build an online community that's solid, enhance your service options, and increase the size of your business in addition to other aspects.

Although many topics were discussed at the forum, we've done our best to present all the top highlights to you. Read on to learn the most important lessons we learned from each speaker.

Skip ahead:

Creating Cozy & Collaborative Virtual Communities

Cicely Blain is the Anti-Racism specialist and founder of Bakau Consulting. Bakau Consulting

Session description: Although remote working was commonplace before COVID-19's outbreak, the virus has made it more imperative for companies to move to a digital location. This is why those looking to connect with their clients decided to set online groups where similar individuals can exchange information and support each other. It's not easy to build an online community that is more personal as the one that exists physically.

In this talk, Cicely Blain shares their story of building their own online community, called Living Room. They talked about the strategy employed to create a welcoming and cozy ambience within the virtual space creating safe and inclusive communities, and using the internet to cater to individuals' needs.

The main learnings could be summarized in the following manner:

HTML0 Learn the name of your customer and the information they're looking to find.

Before establishing Living Room, Cicely had choose the audience they would be creating an online space for. As their efforts are rooted in fighting discrimination and racism, Cicely was aware that Living Room would probably serve as a perfect target for those that have been deemed DEI consultants, specialists or HR professionals who perform similar jobs.

Following, Cicely had to figure out what exactly the population would like.

"I considered what these people are seeking, especially during this time of transition where so many things are changing and being directed to be directed differently?

     The people of today are definitely searching for a feeling of belonging, unity, and connection when there's the feeling of being isolated. They're seeking opportunities to connect and grow."

     Relevant to the audience you're targeting.    

One of the most efficient ways for users to convince people to join your virtual community is by providing the members with a thing they can relate to. For Cicely what most resemblanced was their living space. They attempted to recreate the cozy and inviting space that their personal living room provided.

     "I thought, "What is it that I would like people to feel inside the space? It occurred to me that I'd love them to feel exactly the way they feel every time they enter this physical area. The atmosphere should be welcoming and warm and welcoming. I wanted them to feel relaxed and content, as well as felt supported, connected and heard."

Cicely shares this enthusiasm with the world through:

  • The virtual meetings begin by a 10-minute reflection. Participants are given a brief inquiry on screen to encourage participants to take part in self-reflection.
  • Playing a soft R&B-inspired playlist that lets listeners relax and get comfortable with conversation.
  • Engaging in conversations in the same way like they're having an informal chat with most intimate friends. When they aren't creating videos for their online classes, Cicely might be doing makeup, or making a cup coffee in their kitchen.

Give a wide range of choices for members of the community to access information that they require

The members of an online community are likely to have a similar outlook however, they will likely have their own requirements, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Your company is vital to come up with different ways in your ability to meet the demands from your clients regardless of the uniqueness.

Together with Living Room, Cicely met the requirements of its patrons by:

  • Offering various forms of engagement (e.g. chat forums, live discussions as well as online classes which are both comprehensive as well as complete. );
  • The community's definition of values and guidelines;
  • Allowing people to dress to reflect their real selves
  • Remove unnecessary stresses like limits on time as well as Agendas for the meetings
  • Consider accessibility requirements (e.g. disabilities and neurodivergence) and other.

Fonds within the Funnel Maximizing sales through an effective funnel specially designed to meet the needs of clients.

Ellie Diop, Content and Financial Manager of Ellievated Academy

Description of the program your company to be a success one, you'll have clients who make a order or avail your products or services. A lot of businesses make the error of creating content based on customers who the best prefers rather than what clients actually require. In this talk, Ellie explains how you could increase revenue as well as boost the amount of sales you make through the design of a funnel that can draw in the ideal customer and responds to their needs and wants.

      Principal Takeaways    

HTML0 Every single element of content is crucial.

A funnel that is focused on your clients can aid you in build relationships with your customers. The most effective ways to do this is creating material that is informative, pertinent useful, valuable, and helpful to your clients. A funnel that is designed to cater to the needs of your customers is comprised of five steps:

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

In terms of the value of writing content, Ellie states, "Every piece of content that you create is an integral element of your sales team. Thus, the content you created three months ago is still helping customers move through the sales funnel... Keep it constant in your presentations and using the same tone makes something that clients will be capable of understanding and will help in the process of selling."

Your brand's name will be prominent

If you're unsure of which customers your services or products are marketed to, there's a low chances that they will purchase from them, or even work with them. So, before you create a funnel, define the mission and goal of your organization and then begin with your ideal clients. You might want to ask:

  • Who do I serve?
  • What can I do in order to assist the person with an concern?
  • What can I do?

The answers to these questions form the basis of your decision-making process in business. Ellie suggests a method that can be employed to assist [YOUR TARGET Audience] reach [YOUR] OBJECTIVE making use of [YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE]

Based on her experiences in the development of her company Ellie says, "For myself, this may mean "I assist women in creating profitable enterprises by supplying the company with strategic and financial capabilities '... over a long time I wrote this down in a sticky note board in my corner of the space, and after I decided to film a video, I remembered the person I was speaking to. "

     Build your social media followers    

Social media has been deemed as one of the most successful digital channels for establishing the brand's reputation as well as producing leads for your company. The reason for this is that the majority of users will visit your business's Instagram profile (or the other pages on social networks) before accessing your website.

So, it's important to allocate funds (and perhaps money) into the content that is shared on social networks to boost the visibility of your posts. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by:

  • Making engaging, informative and easily shareable content (especially videos)
  • Running paid ads
  • Engaging with influencers who have similar markets of interest to yours

     Lead magnets can be used to grow your database of email addresses    

As you create content, you'll want to get everyone who doesn't make use of social media to the list of email addresses you have. When someone joins your email list provides you with an opportunity to connect directly with them. It's better than wishing that they stumble upon your posts and videos as they browse Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). Lead magnets may be a part of.

The ideal situation is when you use lead magnets, you're handing your product's worth for free to get people's contacts details (usually their email address as well as name). address). In addition, you may request any other information. When she first started her company, Ellie offered free 1-on-1 sessions for clients to collect feedback. Ellie took the comments she had obtained to register to her very first customers, who then made payment.

     "You've to think about my area where I could deliver great free value that'll bring someone joy? Make that your primary appeal. In my company, I've recently implemented a new technique of directing customers to a specific product and then directing them to avail the offer of a complimentary masterclass. After that, we'll sell it after the masterclass. We have had great results."

     Maintaining customers that are already there is simpler than acquiring new ones    

Every new lead that you get, you have be following a procedure to lead them through the sales funnel. This can be a bit more challenging than persuading an previous customer to purchase once more. So, concentrate on keeping your customers' loyalty at the same, if not higher, similar to focusing on getting new customers.

For you to retain the customers you have on your list, here are a few steps you can take:

  • Offer high-quality service to customers
  • Customer surveys are a great way to collect customer feedback
  • Seek out testimonials from customers who are happy (offer incentive programs, if you are able to)
  • Create a new offering which can fill in the gap in the market

The second one was created by Ellie, Ellie shares, "I made my very first business course based on credit at the price of just $15. At the same time I started receiving feedback on what my clients would like in the future]. This led me into creating Business Credit, which is Business Credit revamped. The result was the Business Credit masterclass, and then, the whole collection. It turned out that the majority of people who purchased the initial version bought the second version in order to complete those gaps. They later purchased the 3rd version to improve their abilities, and also wanted to know more."

Expanding both B2C as well as B2B businesses to create a variety of revenue streams

Jessica Chen, Global Chief Executive Officer and Communication Expert for Soulcast Media

Description of the talk The general rule of thumb is that companies are guided by three main income and sales determinants: their products/services and the content they produce for describing their products and services and the platforms where they communicate their data. In this presentation, Jessica discusses the power of LinkedIn to help companies communicate to their clients (B2C) and other organizations (B2B) What is the most effective method to create contents that are appealing to both groups of people and also how you can expand the range of products and services offered to both types of audiences.

     LinkedIn is an extremely powerful instrument to share your information with others and improve your exposure    

While a lot of business and professional people are already on LinkedIn however, they're not aware of it as a place to expand your reach or post information. They view it as an opportunity to update resumes, finding opportunities as well as connecting with people who you already know.

In reality, LinkedIn is a social media platform, just like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and is treated exactly the same way. Only difference is in the type of content you publish.

LinkedIn offers a great deal to offer. LinkedIn, Jessica says, "The attractiveness of the site is the fact that it targets audience of people working on personal development and eagerness to improve their skills. "

Jessica discusses how she developed by sharing her experiences as a journalist during the year of 2018 to becoming an recognized Top Voice and a LinkedIn instructor within five years. She chalks this up to regular postings on LinkedIn and also communicating with a variety of people who are able to benefit from her knowledge in helping individuals develop their communication abilities.

Make adjustments to your message to meet the needs of both B2C also B2B audience

The majority of business owners believe that they'll only be seen by limiting their content's reach to a small group of consumers. However, this isn't the case.

The power of LinkedIn is its capacity for users to change their content so that it can be tailored to B2B and B2C communities. The content of your offer does not need to be modified, however changing the language you use to describe your company will increase the visibility of your company and help you attract customers and companies.

"I have found that, for communicating with my B2C customers I am more comfortable with terms such as "you," "your" Have you ever thought about "I am ...?'""you"?" Jessica asks. Jessica. "My manner of talking is very clear and those who are reading the data is like reading it as if it's the only one they have.

     "[With an audience of B2B]Instead, of referring to the terms "you" as well as "your", I'm structuring my presentation using terms such as "the team" in addition to 'the group'. This makes it more positive and less personal]."

     Make yourself known as a thought-leader to appeal to B2B clients.    

Contrary to the individual purchasers who desire a top-quality product, B2B buyers are looking genuine. In order to attract their attention, you'll have be able to present yourself as an expert or a thought leader in the industry you're working in, even though the product you offer is designed toward a B2C customer.

If, for instance, you're an artist, then you may want to create and launch an online course on photography in order to reach your B2C customers. However, to gain B2B prospects, you can provide thought-provoking content on pursuing a careers in the field of arts or making a living as an artist. If you offer one-on-one training sessions that teach people how to improve their efficiency and effectiveness as well as productive, then you are able to appeal to B2B audiences by posting articles about improving productivity in work.

In this way, you'll be able to expand beyond the sale of B2C things like e-courses, or private classes and opportunities for speaking.

Making a personal brand which is visible through video

AyLi Barclay specialist and also Visual Content Coach. Start Shooting Design

Session description If you're an director of a company, it may be challenging to be seen, especially if you're selling into a competitive sector or market. You can combat this problem by establishing your personal image through videos that are either smaller TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, or longer YouTube clips. In this video, XayLi explains how you can make use of video content for advertising your online courses, increasing your sales from the courses that you can make as well as build your name among customers.

You don't need too much information to start.

In the process of creating your first livestream or establishing your first livestream, it is essential to have everything perfect. It is possible to start with your content that you have already created. If you're just beginning, the public will accept the poor quality of your video and inexperience with editing since they are aware that with time you'll be more skilled.

XayLi herself started by using her laptop. She used a basic white background, along with an earring light taken from the mill.

"This was when I got my start and even got offered the position of one of their experts" she explains. "I am eager to sit until I had my classroom set for teaching others. I consulted my sources since I realised that what I had in mind to instruct was not centered around the beauty of your space. be.

The result is that I now have an Studio that is integrated at home. However it's my first attempt at HTML0 in the last few years ago. "

HTML0 Get additional resources as you gain more

If you see an increase in the popularity of your content on video and you earn a profit then you need to consider expanding the equipment you have and upgrading your equipment for making videos. You can, for instance, get a better camera/webcam and tripod stand (worth around $500-$1,000) as well as a green screen as well as the E-CammLive application as well as Teleprompter software and an Adobe Premiere subscription for editing.

With regards to the most recent equipment and setting improvements XayLi says, "[At this stage] There are many camera angles, as well as additional. There is a possibility to put money into these things as you earn money. We [often] think that it's necessary to look appealing before earning cash. No. You must be on the marketplace, and then the cash will flow."

When you've earned enough money, you could transfer your edits for video production, distribution and recording freelancers, or even an internal team.

Choose to focus on only one item at a given time of time

There's a general belief that you must take each step necessary to establish your company. There is a need to post each channel, delve to the most recent trends, and discuss a range of subjects. But, that's not necessarily the case. You should focus on a single thing one at a moment as you build your own brand. This will not only stop the possibility of burning out or burning out, but it also lets the viewers be aware of what to anticipate each time they upload your videos.

In accordance with XayLi Barclay's "Rule of 5 Ones" Five key elements you should be focusing on when defining your strategy for digital.

  • A single item or service
  • One market to target
  • One Lead Conversion Tool
  • One main traffic source
  • One company goal

Memberships - Memberships The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Teri Ijeoma the founder of Trade & Travel

Description of the session When done correctly, memberships are an effective way for companies to develop more intimate relationships with their customers and generate additional income. Teri Ijeoma has created the membership program she developed that focuses on Trade & Travel and she hosts more than 35,000 students in her courses and has 185,000 subscribers who are on her mailing list. In this presentation, Teri shares the benefits of establishing a membership program membership. She also provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up and implement the membership program in a manner that is successful.

Take note of the time when you can transition from a free group to a membership model which will cost you

If you're not a popular firm, you'll probably have to start a membership program that offers value in exchange for no cost. Teri started her membership program by launching the Facebook Group for Free. As you expand your community it is important to be aware of the time to move from a free group to a membership model.

There are several indications you need to be aware of prior to making a change in your plan:

  • The organization you work with is growing however, the members have to pay an annual cost to avail of the services that you offer instead of having for additional benefits offered by the organization, e.g. year-long customer support, etc.
  • The group members begin the meeting or groups by themselves, which makes it difficult to manage the group.
  • Moderators of group are hired as coaches, providing consultation services to the members without generating an additional revenue through group members.

Your member program a service in and of it's own

A few companies who offer online courses can also offer membership programs for these classes. A membership plan can be an excellent way to improve the quality of your course it must be viewed as an entire product not just a marketing gimmick.

In a discussion of the Teri's Trade & Travel membership, Teri states "In my early days I thought it was an extension of my education. It's not the case -it's an independent service that stands on its own. It has its own team, promotion and marketing plan... it's best to view the membership as an item."

Be aware when you're pricing

If you're moving from a membership-based model that is free to one that's paid take note of the income goals you have and price your offering in accordance with this. You can make the price less to draw more members. If you're certain that your program's full of merit, don't be shy to request a more expensive cost to run your program.

If, for instance, your goal is to earn 10,000 monthly It's better for 500 members to commit $200 a month rather than 1,000 for a single payment of $100 per month. The higher the cost, the fewer people will join. Also, you'll achieve your financial goals more quickly as well as having a an easier time running your business.

Director of the Discussion Panel for the Table

Diandra Marizet (Host) Co-founder, Executive Director and co-founder of Intersectional Environmentalist

This panel discussion includes panelists Cicely, Ellie, Jessica and XayLi discussing their views regarding the significance of inclusiveness and diversity within the corporate world and also the issues females, and BIPOC entrepreneurs face when trying to establish themselves as part of the new economic system and determine the right price to pay for their products ethically in the system of capitalism.

Here are some of the most emotional questions as well as the responses provided in this debate

     Women of color who are entrepreneurs can achieve financial stability for the first time. What are the challenges as well as the new challenges and potential for these women?

Ellie Diop: Just like you've experienced hardship, you'll experience wealth stress as well. If you're the only one in your family to own the 6-to-7-figure business There aren't many examples to emulate yourself after. There's a stigma that still persists when discussing money, specifically for those of color who earn greater sums of money than the majority of other people throughout their lives.

In the example above, I became the first millionaire, I was thrilled to be able to move from the home of my mother. I wasn't sure if I wanted to make a decision on how I would invest my money since I didn't know what I'd do in event that I had to give it up. I also had a phobia to tell my relatives since I was worried that they would think differently regarding my personality.

I'd love to see more collaborative spaces that are like this. The idea is to eliminate the stigma, and state "Hey are you thinking there's an issue? If you're worried about earning income, or how you should use your earnings do not hesitate to talk about it". That's why it's normal to witness people earning an amount of money and then return to the same place they were.

     In the workplace, at times it's not difficult to feel pushed to mix with people, or to switch off and be silent or to place certain parts of our lives out. At times, it is difficult to believe that you're in the realm of professionalism. Did that experience influence how you engage with your local community? What are you able to do to implement this into the work you love as an DEI professional? DEI professional?

Cicely Blain Cicely Blain: Based on the values we've been taught that we must believe that when we spot an individual type in TV, media and social media, as well to when certain creators online have a lot of traction while others are banned from shadowing, we begin to believe that you need to have specific in your manner of speaking as well as acting.

If you're able to locate a space that you're recognized as the person you are from your peers and others accountable (even without similar situations) it's a wonderful sensation. Although the number of opportunities for representation has increased and they are now more accessible yet there's a dual norm concerning how people show up. Sometimes, we internalize these two norms (even even when they don't exist) which could hinder our advancement.

For example, on TikTok there's a large number of people who don't show up well-dressed and polished constantly. Although it's nice, I'm of the belief that this is limited to one or two people, as the expectation is higher of others, and also how they present themselves.

If you're faced with the decision of whether your current direction is not in alignment with what you're capable of going and what which you're passionate about then take the step of becoming a full-time business owner?

Jessica Chen: All of us reach a stage at some point in our lives where we realise the goal that was set before us was achieved and we're now ready to explore new possibilities. Personally, I had an excellent job that I truly enjoyed However, after 10 years in this field, I realized that I had more to contribute. My experience has always been of a person who has their own career plans. So, I started to consider ways in which I can pass along my knowledge and skills to those around me.

My initial career was in the field of journalism. It's something you might consider as the only "proper" work where it's not possible to express your views. It's not your own voice when you're sharing other people's tales. It was an upsetting transition in the beginning to create my own voice, and displaying my own style. The climb was definitely a steeper upward climb.

     What is the best way to market your product or service in order to attract customers who share the same values as you, are eager to learn from you and appreciate the value of your offering?

XayLi Barclay says: Many often, we keep prices lower, yet we could create a feeling of overwhelm for investors and overwhelmed, which isn't an ideal situation for investors. There is a temptation to think you'll be able to attract an enormous number of customers when you set prices in a fair price. But, the truth is, you're being overwhelmed by those who don't have the confidence to take a choice.

I hired a business coach to aid me in understanding what I could earn, and later determined my prices in accordance with the amount. The norm is for creators to offer their courses on sale for just $7. They can get six figures for their course. However, they do not necessarily possess the amount. If you're a creator with a limited budget it is important to understand what goals you've set for yourself as a company to ensure that the price of your products in accordance to your objectives.

If I offer five online courses at 11,000 per course, I'll make $5,000. This is in contrast to selling 500 courses at the rate of 10 dollars for each course. Take it in this manner. This is the procedure I had to go through.

Live sessions are available to view on Think in Color 2023 available to stream live or on demand

You've got it -- what are the key learnings from this 3 hour long event for budding as well veteran entrepreneurs in the realm of creating. We encourage you to delve in to the areas that have piqued your interest.

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