Networking is always challenging for me...I have joined many networking groups in the city and I always look for the reaction in the faces of the people I meet when I tell them the nature of my business. The women are usually interested or mortified!I'm a member of a networking group for black professionals in NYC and I recently attended one of thier events. The reactions of the men vary, some are cool with it, some feel intimidated because of their own "short-comings" and others instantly make me feel the need to fight off the stereotypes. Those are the ones that If I was a man who owned a porn store thier reaction would be to ask for my card and give me a high-five, instead of the ogling and instant assumption that I am a nympho!There is so much more to this company, there are programs dedicated to women who have suffered through cancer and teaching them how to feel sexy again, there is a college-tour done every year that focuses on being safe and respecting yourself enough not to sleep around...but all they picture is vibrators! I'm a tough woman, so I can handle it and these reactions always reaffirm for me how much the service I provide is needed! ;-)
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I realized yesterday that part of MY problem is that i didn't have set "business hours". Now I know that as a new entrepreneur that concept is, at times, laughable. In order for the business to grow, sacrifice is necessary. Since I've jumped head first into my business, I could easily make it a 24/7 job. However, I need my sanity in order to be effective with my clients.So starting today, I've implemented business hours. It's still definitely a full-time job +; a full time job based in 2 locations (my home office and the office I where I see clients). I'm hoping with this restriction, I can stop feeling guilty about doing things like taking a walk, going to see a movie, spending time with family/friends (read: taking care of me). This will also help with things like going grocery shopping, catching a matinée of Sex & The City, and watching Divorce Court during the day. Everything was so blended that I had no concept of when I was working and when I was living.Now, I know that these "hours" are not going to be adhered to strictly, just as they weren't in my former lives of teacher and therapist. There will be times when I have to start my day early, end late, and work on the weekend. But at least with some boundaries, I won't burn out and become a small business statistic.www.NatashaCrawford.com
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During a consultation this morning, my client who sells bath and body products told me that she did not want to include her photo at her website. She said she had spoken with numerous African American woman business owners who said she should omit her photo from her website because it would hurt sales.Based on my experience working with thousand of businesses, and my own for a decade, I feel strongly that anyone with an online business must include their photo at their website. Not only that, they should include audio, video and anything else that informs and entertains their customers and potential customers. The only exception is when such photos would be too personal or would compromise the safety of the entrepreneur and her family.My opinion is based on the simple fact that people want to know who they are doing business with. Otherwise, why not just go to Wal-Mart?If I can buy sugar scrub from 50 million companies online, then what do I have to base my purchasing decision on? Price? Maybe, but most sugar scrubs of equal amount and quality are priced similarly.What about quality? Sure, but how can I judge quality from a website? A clear, attractive product photo and inviting product description and marketing copy are helpful, but at the end of the day, I still don't know what I'm getting until it arrives in my mailbox.Now, consider that I can buy sugar scrub from someone who has a little bit of a higher price point and good quality ingredients with nice product photos -- plus a photo of her bright smile with beautiful dimples and lovely natural locs. She is a naturalist who plants herbs and vegetables in her back yard. Her blog teaches me about natural living and she includes recipes for freshly made organic salads in her monthly newsletter. She also includes pictures of her and her 5-year old home schooled daughter picking lavender in the back yard and harvesting it for the organic lavender sugar scrub they sell in the family business.Every now and then, her husband holds the video camera while she makes a healthful vegetarian pasta salad. She puts these videos at her blog with the recipe.She's not just selling me sugar scrub. She's enhancing my life. I will buy sugar scrub from her.I know this is an oversimplification, but it's true. You can't just sell sugar scrub. You have to sell yourself, a way of life and everything informative and brilliant about who you are. You interest me far more than sugar, almond oil, shea butter and fragrance -- which I can buy everywhere and even make myself.I challenge you to put a nice photo of you at your website and start marketing your products using the single most valuable asset you have -- Y-O-U.
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I've been a member of quite a few (read: way too many) message boards in my years on the Internet. Some have been about hair, some about motherhood/moms, some about business. What I've noticed on the business boards, and I know you'll start nodding your head once you read this - sometimes it's worse than the pop-up ads you get when you're surfing. It seems like on certain boards - and I will be truthful: not this one - someone is always trying to 1) sell you a product 2) sell you a report that will make you loads of $$$$ for only seven dollars 3) sell you an E-book that will make all your wildest richest dreams come true.I have nothing against people trying to sell you something. That's why we're all here, right? However, there comes a time when members need to understand what networking is supposed to be. It's not posting on folks pages about the opportunity of a lifetime and how you (or someone you know) made $5 million dollars in within 3 hours of putting this very special system into place. Online networking is about creating relationships with people.As a mom of three, I can't easily pack a suitcase and jet (or drive) off to a networking event. At this time in my children's lives, they come first. However, I try to make up for it by devoting some of my time to communicating with people with like interests online. And believe me, it takes time. In order to truly form relationships and have your personality shine through online, you have to post on a regular basis, participate in varied discussions and really make an effort to get yourself "out there". Just as you wouldn't just give someone your business card, take theirs and not follow up, the same thing goes when you join a board.I remember one board on which it was such a struggle to particpate because all the discussions weren't discussions, just thinly veiled sales pitches for someone's product or service. It's pretty difficult to respond to a post that says, "I love natural products. Have you tried hot lemon juice mixed with corn cobs? It gives you so much energy and you feel brand new. I sell this mixture on my website, check me out at www.gimmeyomoneynow.com.Some tips to building relationships:Visit the profile of new members and post a "hi, welcome to the board! I see you are a XXXXX or you sell YYYYY. Check out the XYZ group, they are also into that." Note, if you want to make them aware of your biz in an unobtrusive kind of way, use a signature banner or put your webbie in your signature.(PS don't post the exact same comment on every person's profile - most likely no one will catch on, but for those who do won't feel "special" any more.)Participate in discussions - just like my online classes, post something meaningful to give people an idea of your personality. Don't just post "I agree" or "yeah, baby". Ask a question, answer a question - give information, give a website that might help. People appreciate the help and will thank you.Be a regular - don't just post a whole bunch of info, then disappear for weeks at a time. People will forget you :) Keep yourself in the loop by visiting at least 2x a week - view this as part of the public relations aspect of your business.Finally, keep it simple. Choose a couple of boards at first then narrow your choice down to the one board that you feel 1) the most interested in 2)the one where you can truly post meaningful discussions/posts and 3)the one that will benefit you...(Believe me I tried to keep up with three-four boards - at one point it seemed like all I was doing was posting on boards!!)I hope these tips help you create and maintain online relationships. Please feel free to add to the discussion.
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Please let me preface this post with the fact that my business is only two years old. I've made a lot of mistakes, but in doing so have learned a lot about what to do, and most importantly, what NOT to do.What I'm about to tell you will take a lot of work time at the computer, but will pay off with a slow stead climb up the ranks of the Google search engine. Right now, my site www.neosoulessentials.com is number 12 on google for the search "natural shea butter products", number three for the search "shea products", and number 19 for "shea butter products", which means to me I've got to work more on my content to kick it up a bit. However, that is SEO rather that creating a buzz. :)Here are some tips that I used to generate traffic to my site with the use of free online tools:1. Create a blog about your business. You can create one for free at many of the online services. Be sure to create a RSS feed to your blog and post it at blogging sites such as blogher.com.2. Write an article about your business and/or services and submit it online article services, such as Article City, isnare.com, Go Articles and Search Warp.3. Talk about your business on the entrepreneur section of other board and/or put the link to your business in your signature of these bulletin boards. (Please check the terms of use for the particular board to ensure you can advertise in your siggy.)4. Submit press releases to sites such as prwire.com and prweb.com. Run a search for "free press release sites" to find more.I hope this helps you begin to get some free publicity for your biz!
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Tonight I had my first meeting with new clients. They are also the first clients of my new venture of marriage education/preparations/enhancement. The Marriage Academy has students! I had so much fun working with them and giving them my plan for making their future marriage a proactive marriage. They were excited about it, listened to my every word, felt comfortable sharing and THANKED ME as they were leaving. That 'thank you' meant a lot. It exhibited trust in my skills and that they like me. Then I came home and conducted a phone consultation with another potential couple-client. I'll be following up with them tomorrow as they needed to discuss it.This is was what I needed at this time, as I was beginning to doubt the viability of my business. Trust that I never doubted my ability to do the work (and do it well). But I did doubt my ability to sell myself effectively enough to get clients - consistently. I still have some tweaking to do on the structure of my consultation, but I've learned and that's what's important.So today was a good day. My batteries have been recharged and I'm ready to make a positive impact in the lives of more and more NYC couples, as soon as they find me. I love my "job".www.NatashaCrawford.comRead more…
I have joined a forum called Earn 1K A Day. I am excited about the forum and the people inside. I am sure you have heard you hang out with people doing what you want to do. Just being there I realize that I need to have multiple streams of income. My virtual assistance business plus I have started to do affiliate marketing. The thirty day challenge pre season starts June 1. 2008 and the regular season starts August 1. 2008. I feel with the challenge and the forum and my perseverance I will be successful. They say if you never give up there is no failure. I am sure there will be some challenges but I will use the feedback and continue on. I am committed to living life on my own terms. Working from home with my virtual assistance business and other online businesses, loving, raising and homeschooling my daughter and living my dreams is what I deserve. I will settle for nothing less, no more regrets. I suggest you don't settle either.Here is a favorite quote that is credited to:W.H. MurraySource: The Scottish Himalayan ExpeditionUntil one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation.There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way.I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!"Believe Believe Believe Believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Have A Great Day
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I'm glad LaShanda asked this question after my last blog. Now, I can only speak to the Pure Romance (PR)approach to growing your business:For those who want instant gratification, the way to make money would be to focus strickly on doing parties and selling via the website. However, this is not a good idea if you plan on growing your business into a full-time career. I have had parties that totaled over $1400 BUT I have also had parties that were as low as $350, the key to turning this into a full-time business is by helping other women start their own PR Business. I don't like to call it "recruiting" because that's not what I do! If someone asks me info on starting their own PR biz or if there is a women that I have met along the way who I feel would good at this, I provide them with all the information needed and let them know that any questions or concerns can be addresses to me at anytime.What I love about Corporate is that they have set up PR like a family tree from the moment you purchase your starter kit. The woman who sponsors you is known as your "mom" and the other women she sponsors are your "sisters". This creates a closeness with many of the women and I think it lessens the chance of feeling competition with each other. We are trained from the beginning of our PR career to pay it forward...sponsor! This not only helps other women to achieve financial freedom but it also allows you to purchase items at greater discounts and receive monthly bonus checks (directly from corps pocket), I know of one woman who receives over $15K PER MONTH, in just bonuses from the women she has sponsored! This means that not only is she succeeding, but all of her daughters, granddaughters and great-grandaughters are exceeding! Now there are definitely positives and negatives to this set-up because there is always a chance that you can end up with a "mom" who only wants the bonuses but does want to support her "daughters." This kind of women rarely makes it as one the top money-earners.I'm currently in the beginning stages of building my team but as of today we are four strong :o) And I make sure that I am always there if they need to call or email me and I make it my business to make sure that they go to all of the free trainings that corp offers.Pure Romance by NirvanaNirvana E. Edwards, Senior Consultant #15610Office: 914-613-3717Shop online: www.PRbyNirvana.comBe my Friend! www.myspace.com/pureromance_by_nirvana-----------------------------------------------------------------Find out why I've fallen in love with Pure Romance, call me to book a party, place an order, or to find out how to become a consultant!
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As I commented on fellow BBWO, Cee Cee's blog, I became "official" yesterday, meaning my business in incorporated. And the next step, with the help of a few professionals is to build corporate credit and use less of my own money to fund my business. I'm excited about it. I envision Noja, Inc. will one day become an umbrella corporation for my premarital counseling and marriage consulting business, my future books, lecture series, and hosts of other things I haven't thought of yet.However, there is also this feeling of it being more real than it was before. My business is REAL. I have a certificate of incorporation to prove it. It's no longer an abstract idea in my head. As a service business, it's really easy to keep it abstract. Who knew that this one document would change how I think about my business? But it has. My business is recognized by the State of New York as being an official corporation. The rubber has hit the road.So tell me, if you are "official", did it change how you thought of your business? Did it change how you conducted business (or is it just me)? If you aren't official, what are you waiting for?
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Hello ladies,My reason why I decided to start my own business. I have always as my mother said had a problem with authority LOL. I just do not like having to answer to some one else. I have recently started my virtual assistance businessat http://www.traceysvirtualassistance.wordpress.com/ because I wanted to work from home. I am a single mom of a beautiful 7 year old little girl, who I also home school. I did not want to work outside the home and was absolutely committed to finding a way and am still in the process. I have also decided to get in on the online entrepreneruism; to have mutilple sites bringing in mutiple streams of income and have it be portable. I am going to be participating in the 30 day challenge that has been successful at teaching people how to make their first $10.00 dollars online. Perhaps you have heard the saying if you can make $10.00 then you can make $100.00,$1000.00 and so on and so on,etc. You can check out the 30 day challenge site at Click Here.. I would love company so if you feel like it go ahead and check it out and join and let me know. I will be sharing my journey in the thirty day challenge along with any business or lifestyle information, that helps me have a successful VA and Online business and balance raising my daughter. I am also posting at my personal blog at http://www.www.singlemomliving.blogspot.com/. I hope eveyone has a great day. Blessings and Dream Bigger,Tracey
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Ok Ladies, I figured I would start with how I got started in this business:In January of 2007 a friend of mine from High School approached me with the idea of starting my own Pure Romance business, at the time I was working full-time as a Program Manager for a National Non-Profit organization and while I loved the work, the woman I worked from was making my daily life miserable and I needed something else.This friend, knowing my preoccupation with both sex and money, figured this would be the perfect fit for me...and she was RIGHT! :o) I went over all the information she had provided me and purchased the smallest starter kit available ($250) on February 2nd and went for it! One month later I hosted my first party in my home for some friends and family and at the end of the night, not only had I had fun but I had $600 in profit in my pocket for 3 hours of work...I knew I had found something almost too good to be true.Now, while I have had a lot of parties over the last year and a half and the money has been great, I have also had a lot of satisfaction in opening the minds of a lot of women when it comes to the many taboo topics that I talk about during my parties. Many women are conditioned to think of sex as something we are only good at and/or enjoy if were are loose or trampy, while a man is considered a stud and a "real man" if he does the same! Pure Romance parties are about teaching women to love themselves and love their partners in many different ways. Sex is something different to everyone and one the things I love about the products is that they cater to all: straight, gay, and everything in between.
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Every business begins with an idea and a goal. Sometimes the goal is to make money, to help others, or a desire to share one’s knowledge or creations. In any event, many people start businesses for different reasons. Statistics from the US business administration show that in 2006, 649,700 small businesses opened and 564,900 closed. From this statistic alone, it seems that many small businesses do not survive for the long haul.Unfortunately, I witnessed this statistic first hand with a black bookstore in my neighborhood. When the store first opened, of course, it was a novelty, and many folks from the neighborhood stopped by and made purchases. A black bookstore? Whoa! I was there almost every week because it was such an enjoyable experience. Where else could you go where you could browse through books that reflected you (or at least someone you knew, lol)? And it was not just fiction. It was here where I first discovered the science fiction writings of Octavia Butler and Dr. Alvin Poussaint. (But I do digress) The point is, within the next two years, the shelves became more bare and dusty and the people scarce. The owner even solicited his customers with money to keep the shop going and collected over $10,000 from us. Even after that effort and support from the community – the store still closed!What happened? Well, I know from my own observation, the wife of the owner would often come into the shop and take cash from the register and comment to her husband that she was going grocery shopping (I kid you not!). They drove the latest model of Mercedes Benz sedan (not a problem with that, but then don’t solicit your customers for $$$ to keep your store open) and often, the store was closed in the middle of the day. There were no sales, no specials, no saving programs, no new book introductions, no children’s story on Saturday – nothing. Certainly, he was personable enough and very willing to help customers, but did not seem to copy the business practices of the larger retailers. As a side note, I ordered a cookbook for my mother, and it took him a MONTH to get the order in.I write all this to say that it’s great to start a business, but for those just starting out, like me, and for those who have been in business for years, know that to do it correctly, to be in it for the long haul and to NOT become one of those statistics it takes hard work, dedication and a determination to achieve those goals and to make your work profitable. Over the course of my blog, I hope to both share my experiences of starting a business, running a business, and the business resources that assisted me along the way.Please, if you have specific questions, feel free to message me or post them in the comments.
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Search Engine Optimization, or simply SEO, is a long procedure that is required if you want your online business to get attention and realize a profit. Without SEO, your business may look nice, but it won’t go anywhere. This is the most important way to get site visitors, so it is extremely for you to learn at least the essential steps to optimize your placing with the search engines. Below are the eight basic steps you will need to put into action.Learn everything you can about those who compete for your customers. Do searches regularly to keep an eye on both yours and their rankings and to check for any new competitors on the scene.Get together a list of keywords. The lists are there for the picking, but you have to go after them. Rank your list to reflect the words that best describe your site.Find ways to create phrases with the keywords you've listed. The more phrases you are able to include in the content of your site, the higher your results will be.Change the content within your website. Alter everything from headlines to content in your entire site to make your site more likely to attract traffic.Fine-tune your keyword list regularly. Realize that the internet is always changing and you must adjust your words to keep having the same impact. Make adjustments as needed to keep your place at the top.Make sure that your web address is submitted to the best search engines. You don’t want to be passed over because you didn’t tell the big search engines you are there. Do this submission regularly. Knowing the most popular search engines is essential.Keep a record of your rankings. Just like test results, the rankings you receive will let you know how well you're doing and how far you need to go to reach the top. Use the data to figure out what works and what doesn’t and adjust accordingly..Repeat often. You will need to do these steps on a regular basis. Your competition will. Always search for new ways to get better results. Refusing to change isn’t going to get you anywhere.This is a basically simple view of the procedure you need to follow to optimize your search engine results. There are definitely other ways to fine-tune your site's rankings. To get you started, however, this list will give you a decent start to higher rankings and more profit.
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