The Thousand Solutions Blog

Imagine in Color 2023 The Head of the Table

Nov 19, 2023

This Thinking In Color 2023 event has officially come to an end! We're thankful and grateful for the chance to be in our line-up of brilliant women, as well as BIPOC makers and pioneers on the scene. We'd like to think that, by the end of the day, you're impressed by the stories of our speakers and have gained insight on how to establish an online community that is effective, expand your offerings and boost your profits, as well as various other subjects.

While many subjects were discussed in the forum We've tried our best to share our favorite moments with readers. Find out more about the key points from every speaker.

Skip ahead:

Creating Cozy & Collaborative Virtual Communities

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

Description of the session The workshop focuses on remote working. Though it was an option before COVID-19 but this is a new phenomenon that has increased the need for organizations to transition to a digital setting. This has led to organizations seeking to maintain close relationships with their customers established communities online where like-minded customers can gain and help one another. But it could be tough to build an online community that is similar to one that you can find physically.

In this talk, Cicely Blain shares their journey to build their virtual community called Living Room. The group discussed how they built cozy and warm environments within the virtual world. Making sure their communities are secure and inclusive, while making use of technology to satisfy the requirements of their users.

     The main lessons    

     Make sure you know individuals you'd like to target and the type of information they're seeking.    

Before the start of Living Room, Cicely had identify the audience they wanted to build their online platform to. Since their mission is founded in the fight against oppression and racism, Cicely knew that this target audience was primarily comprised of individuals such as DEI practitioners, consultants, and HR professionals who do similar things.

Following, Cicely had to figure out what they truly wanted.

"I was contemplating about"What are these people wishing to be able to possess, particularly at this time in which everything is changing and being referred to differently?

     People are seeking a feeling of community, of connection to one another, of unity and solidarity, even though they don't feel that sense of. They're also seeking out sources that can help them gain information."

Your content must be relevant to your audience

One of the best methods to get people to become part of your community online is by providing them with something they can relate to. For Cicely all that was important to their life was home. They wanted for to have the same cozy and welcoming atmosphere their own living room provided their loved ones.

     "I wondered, "What is it that I'd like people to experience within this space? I thought to myself, I would like people to feel the same way as they do when they come to a space that is warm, welcoming and warm. I want for them to feel relaxed and content, and to feel supported by others, feeling of belonging as well as a feeling of belonging."

Cicely brings this energy into the community via:

  • Every virtual conference is an initial reflection that lasts around 10 minutes. The conference hosts ask simple questions via screen, allowing participants to consider their own.
  • Music playlist that is relaxing inspired by R&B to ease listeners into the environment and make them feel at ease in chat.
  • Making every call as if they're with their best friends and family. When they're making videos to promote their courses online, Cicely might be doing her makeup or making drinks at home.

Give a wide range of options for community members are able to get what they want

The people who make up the online community are generally alike, but however, they may have unique requirements, as well as strengths and strengths and. Within your company it is important to discover different ways that you can meet the requirements of your members in spite of their differences.

In the Living Room, Cicely met the needs of its customers using:

  • The firm offers a wide range of ways to engage (e.g. chat rooms on the internet, in-person discussion, online classes and more. );
  • The community's values are defined and the rules for its members;
  • Let them be who they are and let them be themselves.
  • Reduce stress factors that are unnecessary, for instance time limitations or meeting agendas
  • Take into consideration accessibility requirements (e.g. disabilities and neurodivergence) and others.

Fonds In The Funnel Maximizing sales through an effective funnel that is focused on the buyer.

Ellie Diop, Content and Coaching Coach for Funding at Ellievated Academy

The description of the program: To build a successful business, customers must buy or utilize the products you offer. Many businesses fail to create content they think they would like their customers to buy rather than what their customers really want. In this talk, Ellie explains how you will grow your company and increase sales through establishing the correct funnel to draw your ideal client and then respond to their wants and needs.

     Principal Takeaways    

     Every aspect of the content can have a role in.    

A funnel that is focused on the customer can be defined as the process of creating a relationship between your customers. The most effective methods to achieve this is to develop relevant information that is helpful, useful and valuable to customers. A funnel designed to cater to the demands of customers includes five phases:

  • Awareness
  • Discovery
  • There is also the issue of
  • Conversion
  • Retention and Relations

What is the significance of writing a pertinent content that is relevant, Ellie says, "Every piece of content that you write will be an essential part of your sales team. Therefore, whatever you published during the last 3 months can help customers move through this process... Keep it consistent in your presentation and deliver it consistently throughout the day. consistency. It creates something easy for your customer to grasp, as well as aid them in navigating the process that sales."

Your brand's definition

If you're not certain who your products or services serve a purpose, no one is likely to buy your products or services or partner with them. Thus, before you begin to build your funnel, you must determine your mission and the goal of your organization starting with the ideal customer. There is a possibility to request:

  • Who do I serve?
  • What can I do? with their problems?
  • What do I need to know?

The answers to these questions form the basis for every company decision. Ellie provides a simple model to help your target audience reach your goals making use of your service or product].

Based on her personal experience of growing her business, Ellie states, "For me personally, this could mean "I aid women to build profitable businesses by offering them methods and strategies for financing. '... At one time, I'd kept this information in the form of a post-it on a wall, and each time I set out to record a video I thought of the person I'd spoken to. "

Develop your social media followers

It is thought to be one of the most successful ways to establish the brand's reputation and generating sales for your business. It's so effective that the majority of customers read the contents on your company's Instagram account (or other pages of social media) prior to navigating your site.

So, it is important to invest your time (and maybe even money) in the posts that you share on social media in order in order to make it more noticeable. One way to do it is to:

  • creating engaging, informative and share-friendly videos (especially videos)
  • Paid-for ads are on display
  • Collaboration with influencers who have similar target markets in the same way

     HTML1 Make use of lead magnets to build out your email list    

While you're producing content, you want to add the highest amount of people who aren't making use of social media on your email lists of subscribers. If they sign up for your email list gives them the chance for you to get to them directly. This can be more advantageous in comparison to when they stumble upon your content and videos on they visit Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Lead magnets are where they are able to aid.

When you use lead magnets you're offering value to obtain people's details of contact (usually their email address and address). You can request more information too. As an example, at the beginning of her venture, Ellie offered free 1-on-1 sessions for customers to get feedback. Ellie utilized the comments she collected to gain her first customers who were willing to pay.

     "You've to think about the following query "What's an area where you could offer a great service at no cost that will make people feel inspired? Make it your main attraction. [In my business], I've adopted a new strategy which, rather than leading you to the product, we encourage users to sign-up to get a special offer which is a masterclass for free. After that, we sell on the site's backend. We've had amazing results."

     The method for keeping customers who are already loyal is simpler than acquiring new customers    

Each time you receive each lead you get, you undergo the procedure of moving through your sales funnel which can be a bit more difficult than convincing a customer who has previously purchased to to buy from you once more. So, concentrate on maintaining customers in a similar manner, if not more than you do in acquiring new customers.

In order to keep your customers, here are the steps you should be following:

  • Service of high-quality to customers
  • Utilize surveys of customers to gather their feedback.
  • See testimonials of satisfied customers (offer incentives in the event that it's feasible)
  • Make a product that can make up the voids on the market

When she came up with the second offer, Ellie shares, "I created my first business credit class for $15. At the same time, I was getting comments from my clients about their future requirements. So I came up with my Business Credit revamped. After that, I developed my Business Credit masterclass, and after that, the whole assortment. It was discovered that the majority of people who purchased the initial item later bought the next one to complete the gap elements. After that, they bought the third one as they had been growing in their skills and desired to learn more."

Growing Both B2C and B2B business to generate multiple revenue streams

Jessica Chen, Global Communications Expert and CEO of Soulcast Media

Description of the presentation The session will are governed by three main elements of sales and revenue that need to consider that are the products or services they provide, the content they create for the purpose of describing their services or products, and the media channels the channels use to distribute the information. In this talk, Jessica discusses the power of LinkedIn to help businesses connecting to both clients (B2C) as well as other organizations (B2B) What can you create content that is tailored to speak to both audiences, and strategies to expand the scope of services and products you provide to suit both groups.

     LinkedIn LinkedIn can be an effective method of promoting content via LinkedIn and grow your visibility    

While many entrepreneurs and professionals make use of LinkedIn but they're not looking at LinkedIn as a tool that allows you to expand your reach and post content. Instead, they see it as a means to update resumes, find jobs, and connect with acquaintances and friends.

In reality, LinkedIn is a social media platform that is like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and is treated the same in the same way. The only difference is that is the kind of content you publish.

LinkedIn's popularity is evident. Jessica declares, "The beauty of LinkedIn is this you're communicating with a specific group of people who are engaged with personal development and eager to grow. "

Jessica can also share the story of how she went from sharing the story of her reporting experience in the year 2018 to being a certified Top Voice and a LinkedIn instructor within five years. Jessica attributes this to posting regularly on LinkedIn as well as engaging with a variety of people who can benefit from her knowledge in helping others develop their skills in communication.

Make your message more flexible to suit B2B and B2C users.

Most business owners believe that they'll only receive attention in the event that their content is targeted to people who are just individuals. But, that's not the case.

The main benefit of LinkedIn is the capacity of the user to alter their message so that it can be tailored to B2B and B2C audience. Your content does not need to change however changing the way you promote your business can improve its visibility and draw at business and users.

"I know that whenever I have to convey my message to the B2C audience, I use language like "you," "your" Did you think you were ...?'""you"?" "You" asks Jessica. "My style of speaking is concise, and anybody who reads my work can feel like it's a private message.

     "[With the B2B market] instead of making use of the terms "you" as well as "your" I'm framing my message making statements like"the team' or "the company'. It's more positive and not as personal."

     Set yourself up as an expert in B2B customers.    

As opposed to consumers that are looking for a product of high quality B2B customers must be assured that they are getting the best. To draw the attention of B2B customers, you'll have establish yourself as an expert or thought leader in your sector even though your offering is mostly targeted at B2C consumers.

For artists, you may develop and market courses in photography to the target market that is B2C. To get B2B prospects interested, you may publish interesting content about having a career in the arts or about building a profitable business being an artist. If you are able to give individual training courses that help individuals enhance their performance and efficiency you could appeal to B2B customers by writing articles regarding improving productivity at work. workplace.

Then you'll be able to switch between selling B2C things like e-courses, one-on-one classes to offering seminars and talks.

Making your personal brand visible with video

The XayLi Barclay specialist as well as Visual Content Coach with the development process of Start Shoot

Session Description If your proprietor of a business, it's easy to be viewed as being less crucial, particularly when you're selling in the midst of a competitive market or in a sector. There is a way to counter this through creating your own brand identity through video content such as small TikTok clips, Instagram Reels, or longer-form YouTube videos. In this talk, XayLi explains how you can make use of video content to promote your course online as well as generate sales. Your name will be etched in the minds of the people who purchase your products.

There's not much details to begin with.

When making your first livestream or creating your first livestream everything has to be flawless. Begin by using the footage you have already. Once you've started your journey viewers might not appreciate the quality of your footage and inadequate editing skills since they are aware that with time, they will improve.

XayLi herself got started by using a laptop and white backgrounds, and an ring light ripped from the mill.

"This is the place where I got my start in my first job and then I was even asked to be an expert in the field," she shares. "I didn't wait until I had built my own newsroom before I began teaching other people. I took advantage of the information I could get my hands on since I realized that the knowledge I had to convey did not just revolve around how stunning your setup can be.

Presently, I'm using an integrated studio in my house. But I'm also in the same place which I first started several years ago. "

More resources will be available as you get more

If you've gotten more visibility by your video content and start making money from it, you'll need to begin making your own collection and upgrade your video equipment. For example, you can purchase an upgraded webcam or camera, and a tripod stand (worth between $500 and $1,000) and a green screen, and an E-Camm Live together with a teleprompter software as well as an Adobe Premiere subscription for editing.

In a debate about the need for enhancements to the equipment and sets XayLi states, "[At the moment] you can have a variety of camera angles, and more. Now is the time to invest in such items since you're earning money. Most of us think it is necessary to look attractive before we can make the money. No. You must have your product on the market. After that the money is going to start coming in."

If you are able to earn enough money, you could transfer your video recording editing, distribution, and recording to contractors, or an internal team.

     Pay attention to just one thing at a time    

The common belief is that you have to take every step to increase your revenue. It's crucial to share your content on every platform, jump on every trend, and discuss a variety of issues. However, this isn't necessarily the case. You should focus just one aspect at a particular time while you develop your image. This won't only slow down the energy flow that you've worked on during your work however, it will also let viewers know what to be expecting from you every time you post the video.

Based on XayLi Barclay's "Rule of 5 Ones" There are five essential elements that you should consider when choosing your approach to digital.

  • A single item or service
  • One possible market
  • One Lead Conversion Tool
  • The primary traffic source
  • A business's primary goal is to be successful.

The benefits of membership are The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Teri Ijeoma who was the original founder of Trade & Travel

The presentation's content In the correct way, it's an effective way for firms to build more solid relationships with clients in addition to earning extra income. Teri Ijeoma is the founder of her membership program which was created to assist with Trade & Travel and she can now accommodate nearly 35,000 customers who have enrolled in her courses and over 185,000 members on the email list she maintains. In this video, Teri shares the benefits of establishing a membership system and gives a step-by -step procedure to help companies to set up and manage memberships with a method that is effective.

Know when it's the right time to move from a group that is free into a model of membership that is paid

If you're not an extremely popular business, you'll be required to launch your own membership scheme with the advantages at free. Teri has started her own by creating an open Facebook group. As you grow your social network, it's crucial to be aware of how to transition from a community that is free towards a model of paid membership.

This is a sign to consider before making a choice:

  • The group you are working with is expanding in size however, the members pay a single fee for the service you offer, instead of paying for additional benefits that your organization offers, e.g. year-long customer support, etc.
  • Members of the group begin their own group meetings, or sub-groups. It's hard to monitor the management and management of an organization.
  • The group has hired moderators and coaches who will provide coaching services for participants of the group without any additional income from your members.

Your member program is a product that operates on its own

There are many companies who offer online courses also have membership programs as add-ons to the courses. Though a membership package is an effective way of improving the quality of your courses but it must be considered a full service, not just a marketing gimmick.

The benefits of her Trade & Travel membership, Teri says "In the beginning, I thought it was a way to extend my own training. But that's not trueit's an entirely product all on its own. It needs to have its own marketing staff with a promotional and marketing strategy... The key is to consider it as a complete product in and of itself."

Make sure you are informed of this when pricing

As you transition from a free group in an membership-based one be aware of the amount you would like to earn and determine your pricing in line with that. It is possible to make your cost less to gain many additional participants. However, if you're confident that your membership program was designed with top quality in mind do not hesitate to ask for an increase in the cost of joining the program.

If, for example, you're aiming to make 10,000 per month, you'll require 500 clients to cover $200 per month rather than 1,000 paying $100 each month. The higher your prices become, the less clients will sign up. Additionally, you'll be able achieve your objectives to earn more money faster, and also find it simpler to run your business.

The Chair of the Discussion Panel at the Table

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

Description of the panel discussion will include Four panelists Cicely, Ellie, Jessica along with XayLi offering their views on the significance of inclusiveness and diversity within the business world. They will also talk about the challenges women and BIPOC entrepreneurs have to face when they venture into the economy of production and also the best approach to assess the proper price for their goods ethically in the capitalist system.

Here are a few of the poignant problems and issues that have been raised in this discussion:

     Women entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups are now financially stable initially. What are the new issues, challenges and opportunities do these mean?

Ellie Diop: Just like you've had to endure poverty, there's the same trauma for riches. If you're one of only a handful of family members who has an online store, or have a business with a seven-figure income There aren't many examples to look up to. It is true that discrimination remains when talking about wealth, particularly when it comes to those of other race who earns greater than what the majority of people might imagine earning over long periods of time.

For instance of how I got my first a million dollars, I was scared of leaving my home. I was hesitant to put in the funds since I didn't know what to do if it went away. There was also the issue to inform my family members since I was afraid they could be sceptical about my character.

One thing I'd love be able to see more of is collaboration spaces like this that remove this stigma and say "Hey there's something happening? If you're struggling to make some cash, or determine the things you'd like to spend your money into, don't be shy to discuss the matter". The assumption that this is true is one reason for why it's not uncommon for people to make an enormous amount of money only to return to the exact same point from which they started.

     Oftentimes, in business settings it is necessary to integrate, code-switch, be silent or set certain parts of us off. Sometimes, we don't think that we are part of the concept of professionalism. Was that an influence on your interactions with the local population? How do you incorporate that knowledge into your job as a DEI professional?

Cicely Blain: We are seeing the systems that we were raised within, and are now seeing exactly the same kind of person on TV, media as well as social media and when some creators online gain traction while others get banned, it is easy to believe that you need to conform to a specific style of life and conduct.

If you find a place in which your image is seen as real by individuals who surround you, as well as the people who are responsible (even in the event that they're experiencing similar issues to yours) this is a wonderful sensation. While there's a rising number of representations and opportunities can be discovered more readily yet there's two rules for what people are expected to perform. There are times when we are convinced that there are two rules (even when they could be incorrect) which can keep us from reaching our goals.

For example, on TikTok there's an abundance of people who're not dressed in a professional manner and who are never polished. Although that's great however, I believe that the possibility of becoming a part of it is limited to a very select few as there is an expectation that others are more professional and the way they dress.

     What happens if you realize that the path you're currently taking doesn't match with the direction that you're capable of to travel and your true passion might be when you take the decision to move to full-time entrepreneurial?    

Jessica Chen: All of those who live at a certain point in our lives when we discover that the objective you set out to achieve is done and we're ready to embark on a new adventure. Personally, I had my ideal job which I was passionate about, however after 10 years in the field, I realized that there was more available. I've always been the type of person with the ability to design my own pathway. When I thought about it, I wondered how I might share the strategies I've discovered.

My first job was a journalist, which may consider to be the only "proper" occupation that does not give you the right to voice your opinions as well as being able to speak for yourself, and instead you are simply sharing the experiences of other people. It was an upsetting transition to begin creating my own voice and displaying my individual style. The process was definitely one of learning process.

     What is the best way to price the offerings you make so that you can attract people who share your values, are ready to gain insights from you and see the worth of what you offer?

XayLi Barclay says: a lot of the time we set prices low however we can overwhelm those who are investing in the business, and this is not good to the individual. It's easy to imagine that you'll draw in a lot of clients if you're priced cheap However, the truth is, you're getting overloaded people with little idea of how to make an informed decision.

I worked with a coach to calculate what I can earn, and then to figure out my cost based on volume. There are many creators who sell a course for just $7, making 6-figures out of their product, however they do not have enough volume. If you're a smaller-scale creator, it is important to know the goals you're trying to reach in the marketplace to be able to set the appropriate pricing for your item.

If I make five online courses to purchase at a price of 1,000 dollars per course, then I'll make five times the amount. That's in stark contrast to offering 500 courses for just 10 dollars per course. Take it as a way of thinking. What I really wanted to experience.

Watch Think In Color 2023 sessions available for online-demand

The inside details and an overview of the key facts from the gathering which lasted three hours geared towards aspiring well established entrepreneurs in the creator economy. We urge you to delve deeply into the topics you've been fascinated by.

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