MINDSETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

Mindsets of Successful Entrepreneurs

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MINDSETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

MINDSETS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

I was recently asked about my journey as an entrepreneur. It really had me reflecting on how far I have come and the time it took me to get there. Looking back at my success really had me appreciating all the failure. It wasn’t until much later in my journey did I learn how mindset played a huge part of my success. It really got me thinking about the mindsets of successful entrepreneurs. 

“Tell me about your big dream.” This is one of the first questions I ask my clients. Over time, I’ve noticed a pattern. The answers many give are general, safe, and predictable. So predictable, in fact, that I often know what they will say before they say it: “I want to be successful,” my clients tell me. But when I ask them to define what success means to them, I am surprised at the mediocre aim of their goals.  “I just want to make a little extra money or  I would be happy with a few more clients. “ I challenge my clients, inquiring why their goal is not to make a million dollars or to become the CEO?  I push them to be honest with themselves.  Their reasoning surfaces: “I don’t have the education, I don’t need money to be happy, I don’t have the time.”  

We are all capable of “The Big Dream.” The only thing that holds us back is our own thoughts.  That is IT! It sounds too simple, but the truth is that our thoughts control our results. Rarely do people focus enough on this aspect of success.  That is why the first thing I teach my clients is to identify, recognize, and manage their thoughts.  You can have every business tool available and all the education in the world, but if you don’t learn to control your mind you will not have the ability to progress with fortitude. If you are looking to become the best version of yourself, you will need to learn to implement the proper tools. 

Confidence in Yourself. 

Confidence is having the ability to trust yourself. You say you will do something and you do it.  You have surety that you can do hard things. If you start something, you finish it, no matter the outcome.  This builds character, determination, and self-respect. You become known for these attributes. Successful people understand this concept and implement it into all aspects of their lives. 

 

Comparison Equals Motivation

Jealousy and envy is innate. These thoughts are present regardless. It is when you let these feelings hinder your progress that they hold you back.  Learn to recognize jealous thoughts and change them into thoughts that motivate and serve you. Dwelling on negative emotions because of what others have can be detrimental to your own growth. Find people who motivate and inspire you.  You have a choice in who you are surrounded by and the thoughts you choose to think. 

 

Avoid the Past

We all have experienced failures and disappointments in our past, but that is where they live—in the past. Take those experiences and use them as a tutor. Don’t let your past define you. But let it refine you into something better. When you blame your past for your current situation, you become a prisoner to things that are out of your control.

 

Embrace Failure

Failure shows you are doing something new and different.  Willingness to be uncomfortable and try new things is when growth appears.  It is the fear of failure that holds us back from taking action.  When we embrace failure, we become open to taking risks and in turn gain more opportunity, more growth, and more knowledge.  Successful people make committing to fail a mindset they seize.

 

Time Management

Learning to control your mind helps you to manage your time.  Successful people often value time over money.  Time becomes the most valuable commodity in their workflow.  Being intentional with your time and your thoughts about time helps you accomplish your big goals.  Be determined to manage every minute as if it were an investment in your success. Be respectful of your time and others. Plan your days and honor your plan. 

 

Unattainable Goals

Goal setting is the most compassionate thing we can do for ourselves. By doing this we strive to be the best and achieve the best.  Learn to include what you once thought of as “unattainable goals” in your list.  When we start to change our thoughts to work towards the big goals, we begin to evolve. We surpass goals we didn’t realize were even possible.  If we focus on a goal we want to achieve, then we become focused on ways to accomplish the goals. Opportunities will begin to present themselves and we become better versions of ourselves regardless the outcome. 

As you implement these mindsets into your business, you will see growth and progression.  Create new habits and thoughts and be consistent. Change takes time, but the payoff is huge. How will you implement these principals into your life?

 

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COLLABORATING WITH BRANDS

Collaborating With Brands

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COLLABORATING WITH BRANDS

COLLABORATING WITH BRANDS

Collaborating with brands in your industry is a great way to get your name out there.  It is important to constantly show support to vendors and other small businesses within your industry. Creating supportive relationships is key. Supporting others without expecting anything back will create loyal and genuine relationships. You will find when you sincerely want others to succeed, they will feel the same way about you. 

Always be looking for networking opportunities. Find out what those with similar audiences are working on and how you can support them. Remember, your ultimate goal is to serve your target audience. Once you have created a relationship, suggest collaborating on something together. The collaboration could be a podcast interview, guest blog post, coupon code, FB Live interview, Instagram takeover, or giveaway. You could also offer your services for free in exchange for a shout out. Everyone benefits in a good collaboration. Both parties are able to grow, increase their audience, better their business, & more. 

If you want to put together a giveaway, make sure you and your fellow collaborators have a similar target audience.

Example Giveaway: 

Theme – Prom

Target Audience – High School Girls

Venders – Photographer, Gown Boutique, Make Up Artist, Hair Stylist, Tanning Salon 

Details – Put together a package that includes a service or product from each vendor. In order to enter they have to follow each of the vendors, leave a comment and tag three of their friends. 

Example Giveaway:

Theme – Self Care

Target Audience – Mothers

Venders – Life Coach, Boutique, Massage Parlor, Hair Salon, Restaurant 

Details – Combine gift certificates from all the vendors and create a day of pampering for a mother. In order to enter they have to follow each of the vendors, leave a comment, sign up for your newsletter and tag three of their friends.

THE WHO

Finding people to collaborate with can be tricky. Try using someone you already have a relationship with. Without an initial connection, it might be challenging to know if the collaboration would be a good fit. Start off with a smaller collaboration to see if you work well together. You want to ensure you are both dependable and committed so it will benefit both parties. 

You don’t have to work with big influencers right away.  Remember, the goal is to attract the right kind of clients and quality is more essential than quantity. Just because someone has a lot of followers doesn’t necessarily mean they have high engagement. You may think you can reach more people, but what if those people aren’t in your target audience? Then it’s not as beneficial to you or the influencer. Pitching to micro-influencers to collaborate can be more effective. When you are looking for a collaborator, look beyond the numbers. 

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THE VALUE

Of course, your ultimate goal is to bring you more business, but your secondary goals is to create value for your collaborators. In order to get someone’s attention, it’s best to lead with how the collaboration could bring them value, rather than what you’re getting out of it. You want to make sure that there’s enough value for you, but there should be at least equal value for the person you are reaching out to. 

 

THE ASK

It is important to have a plan before you pitch a collaboration. You don’t have to explain every detail, but prepare a few ideas. Remember to lead with the benefits that relate to them. 

 

THE EXPECTATIONS

Communicate your expectations as soon as possible. This can be done by creating list of tasks that need to be completed from start to finish. Be specific on who will be doing what and when. Set deadlines for each task based on final target date. Setting expectations upfront is the best way to guarantee success with your collaboration. 

Collaborating is an excellent way to grow your social media. Remember you want to make sure you are attracting the right kind of followers and that it benefits everyone involved. When you work with other entrepreneurs, make sure you give them more value and exceed their expectations; they’ll be more likely to want to work with you again. Building solid relationships with those who share your target audience is a great way to help your business grow.

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ANATOMY OF AN INSTAGRAM POST

Anatomy of An Instagram Post

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ANATOMY OF AN INSTAGRAM POST

ANATOMY OF AN INSTAGRAM POST

What makes a good Instagram post? The answer might be subjective, but ultimately our goal is to encourage engagement, build trust, and create relationships that covert to business. You can do this by putting a little thought and effort into your posts.  When you understand the anatomy of an Instagram post you will start to improve engagement and gain more followers.

IMAGERY

Instagram is a visual platform. It is essential to use good-quality images that are both appealing and inviting. Technology is amazing and you can take crisp, vibrant images with most iPhones and tablets. When images don’t turn out, the problem is  often user error. The most important elements in a good image are lighting and focus. Using the rule of thirds is also effective. Photos with faces in them gain 38% more likes that those without them. Images that feature smiling or friendly subjects tend to rate better as well. 

 

 

Whether your style is dark and moody or bright and colorful, the most important factor is to ensure that what you post is relevant to your audience. Once you decide what look represents your branding, try to keep everything cohesive to reflect that. 

 

 

If you have a sequence of images that describes a story, use the carousel (multiple photos) option. Users have discovered that carousel posts are outperforming single photos. The algorithm seems to be presenting these posts to followers more than once using different images.

 

CAPTIONS

You want to use captions that encourage your followers to engage with you. Your followers will “like” an image, but it’s your caption that will get them to comment. The more comments you can get, the higher your posts will be boosted in the algorithm.

 

HEADLINE AND HOOKS

The first 10-15 words draws people in and encourages them to keep reading. Typically, after about word 15 your post will be cut off and ellipses (…) will appear. This is where you want to create your hook. You want to get your followers interested enough to continue reading. Use a phrase that is related to your topic, but peaks an interest. Example: “The one thing I wish I would have done different in my business..” or “You are never going to guess what I got in the mail today.”  See!  Aren’t you curious to know?  Once you grab your audience’s attention, then you can introduce your topic. 

 

TOPICS

Get your point across as simple and concise as possible while still keeping it interesting. If you are an emoji junkie (and it reflects your brand) add emojis to your caption. Try to break your topic up into smaller sections by hitting enter and using the period as a bullet point to create space, like this:

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People also love lists. Break up your posts using a list format. 


GEOTAGS

The geotag is the section above the image that displays your location. When you use the geotag you will reach a wider audience. Try different tags for your area to see what works. Followers use this feature when they are looking for specific services in certain locations. It’s not always necessary if you are an online business, but it could still be beneficial for networking opportunities your area.  

 

TAGS

Make it a point to tag other businesses, vendors and any other influencers. It is important to build a network of people who support each other. When you tag other accounts they tend to repost and/or engage. 

Anatomy of an Instagram Post

 

CALL TO ACTION

Finish up EVERY post with a call to action. It is important to give your followers a definitive next step.  Ask a question referencing your post and encouraging your followers to engage. Questions will generally work best here. People love to talk about themselves and this is great way to connect with your audience and build a relationship. People love to be helpful.  Ask a question that needs the experience or advice from your followers.  For example: “I am planning a trip to San Diego. Where is a good place to eat with kids?” 

Another call to action could be to double tap the image, tag a friend or another account, click on the link in your profile, repost, comment with an emoji or DM you. Whatever you decide to do, always end with a call to action!

Anatomy of an Instagram Post

Your main goal is to build trust and establish a community within your platform. Establishing your brand, engaging, and providing good content will level up your business and drive traffic when you get ready to sell. 

You must be social on social media for it to work effectively in your business. Remember: you get out of it what you put into it! 

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HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM STORIES IN YOUR BUSINESS

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HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM
STORIES IN YOUR BUSINESS

HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM STORIES IN YOUR BUSINESS

In order to continue growing your Instagram community and influence, consider incorporating stories.  Instagram stories—images and short video content displayed above the regular feed that play like a slideshow and last 24 hours—are a great way to connect authentically with your audience. These unscripted videos help your audience relate and connect. Stories help you turn followers in to fans. While our feed might be curated with beautiful imagery, our stories have more freedom to be candid and messy. 

Here are 10 strategies that you can use to grow your business using social media:

 

SHOW UP EVERY DAY

We all know that the key to building a brand is consistency. You want be become as visible as possible. Whether that means your face on the camera, sharing someone else’s post, creating a poll, or asking a question—whatever it is, make yourself noticeable! You want to create a community and you want them to trust and depend on you. This how you will attract clients.  Be CONSISTENT!

Short and Sweet

I don’t know about you, but I have the attention span of a toddler. I lose interest pretty dang quick. If you have something important to share, try to keep it between 3-4 stories. Be concise and get right to the point. People tend to start dropping off when the stories get too lengthy. If you have something important that will take more time, use Instagram Reels.

 

USE TEXT

Sometimes people watch stories with the sound turned off. You don’t want risk them missing out on your content. Keep them engaged by adding text—brief descriptions/summaries of what you are talking about in each slide. 

 

BEHIND THE SCENES

People are naturally curious. Give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at what a day in your life looks like. Include tips and tools that you use in your workflow. Talk about the strategies you use to improve your brand so you can serve them better. Answer questions that people might have asked via email or DM. Show them some of your processes and current projects.

 

SPREAD THE LOVE

Share other people’s posts. Support other small businesses or creatives whose work you admire. Write a caption on the repost & tag them. Supporting other people is a great way to build a brand rich in community. If you see something you like—a quote, service, or product—share it!

 

HASHTAGS AND GEOTAGS

Use geotags and hashtags in your stories. This will broaden your reach and increase your chance of being found when someone is searching a specific hashtag. You want to utilize anything that can help you gain exposure.

 

POLL AND QUESTIONS

Using polls and questions is a great way to engage with your audience. It’s also an excellent way to do some market research. Ask your clients what they would like to see or what they need. Instagram lets you see who engaged. Follow up with followers who participated and see how you can serve them or if they want to work together.

 

POSTS AND REPOSTS

Add your posts to your stories. Followers are more likely to see your stories than your posts. Adding snapshots of your recent posts increases your chance of engagement on those posts. You can also re-post when you are featured or tagged on another person’s account

 

HIGHLIGHT BUBBLES

Save your stories to your highlight bubbles. This is a great way to feature the different categories of your brand. Using highlight bubbles gives you the ability to save all your favorite videos beyond the 24-hours story expiration.

 

LINK STICKERS

This is a tool is a game changer.  The conversion rate on the link sticker is excellent. It offers a simple way for clients to respond to your call of action. The link sticker allows you to link to your website, email list, register to an event, click and affiliate link and more. 

 

Remember, the key is consistency. You don’t have to use all the tools every day, but strive for consistency and I promise you will start to see results. 

 

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SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL FOR FREE WITH GMAIL

HOW TO CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL

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SET UP A PROFESSIONAL
EMAIL FOR FREE WITH GMAIL

SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL FOR FREE WITH GMAIL

When starting a business, one of the very first things we need to do set up a professional email with gmail for free. Most web hosts provide a free email when you purchase a domain. We quickly realize that their email system is not as user-friendly as what we have grown accustomed to and the last thing we want to do is spend time attempting to figure out a new system.

Setting up a professional email with Gmail on your own custom domain takes only a few minutes and will save you so much time and energy. Gmail has so many great tools and features such as: Filters, Canned Responses, Multiple-Account setup, and more.

I use Bluehost to host my domain, but the process is similar process with other domain sites. Here is how to set up your professional account:

 

 

First, log in to your domain site and then search for either an email icon or email link. Click on “email to start the process. (If you are a MAC user you can use Command F to activity a search bar. Type email and it will highlight the email option)

 

 

 

 Click on “CREATE”.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

 Enter custom email and a password. Finish by hitting the “CREATE” button.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

 After you have created an email on your domain site, log in to your gmail account. Click on the settings icon.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

Access accounts and import. Then click on “add a mail account.”

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

 A pop up will appear. Enter the name that you want to show up when someone received your email, then enter the new email.

CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMIAL

 

  

Select “Import emails from my other account (POP3).

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 Create a username and enter your password finish by selecting “add account”.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

 

You will then be prompted to confirm the email by clinking on the link your email or entering a confirmation code to verify.

 

 

Wa-La! You just created a professional email. The next time you getting ready to send an email you will be able to select a drop down menu and choose which email you want to use to send your next email.

HOW TO SET UP A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL WITH GMAIL FOR FREE

 

Now you have created an email that looks professional.

.

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TASK BATCHING TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN YOUR BUSINESS

TASK BATCHING TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN YOUR BUSINESS

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task batching to
increase productivity

task batching to increase productivity

I used to pride myself on being an amazing multi-tasker. And while it’s true that I can get a lot done in a short time, unfortunately the quality can end up being subpar. I have learned you really can’t do more than one thing at once—at least not properly. Dividing your time and your attention, even if you are doing it equally, means you are giving 50% of your focus to each. People can’t multitask very well, and when people say they can, they’re deluding themselves. So although it seems you are being productive, the opposite is probably true. When we are constantly jumping from task to task, we become easily distracted by outside elements (social media, text messages, emails, etc.). Refocusing takes up small amounts of time that eventually add up to large amounts of time.When you use task batching to increase productivity in your business you will find time you didn’t realize you had. 

One of the most effective tools I have found when running a business is task batching. Batching is grouping similar tasks into continuous sessions of work time.  So instead of dispersing my time to several different tasks a day, I will designate a larger amount of time to focusing on mass production. By doing this, I become ultra-focused on that particular task and can accomplish a great deal more. For example, I will designate a couple hours a month to write all my newsletters for that month. This way I am focused, the task gets completed, and I don’t have to think about it again until next month. I can use my brain power to focus on other tasks that need to be done. 




If you implement a batching process into your workflow, you will find there is less task-switching, more focus, more efficiency, and more productivity. The batching method can be applied to several aspects of your life. This will allow you to get more done in a short amount of time and free up your time in general. 

Try the batching process with:

BLOGGING

Although it is amazing to get a lot done in one day, be realistic and give your brain smaller intervals that it can better handle. Personally, I have a 2-hour max when it comes to blogging.  You can break this process up and designate time to batch ideas, outlines, and writing.  By breaking down the process, you can be more intentional when it is time to work on your blog.

 

NEWSLETTERS

If you send out newsletters in your business, schedule a time to batch them. This can also be broken up into sessions. Schedule a time to plan out your newsletters for a quarter. You can pick a topic and schedule all your newsletters for three months. Then at a different time you can batch-write the content.

 

PODCASTS

If you are a podcaster, you can record 4-6 at a time. Set a time and a day you are going to record, and schedule all guests within that time. This will alleviate the extra time you would have spent setting up and taking down your podcast equipment. Remember: minutes add up to hours. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

Instead of stressing every day about what you want to post on social media, add this to your list of tasks that needs to be batched. I batch my social media tasks into three parts: writing, scheduling, and engaging. For all my business-related social media posts, I write and schedule them on a weekly basis. This is all done in one day and then I don’t have to even think about it for the rest of that week. Completing this task all at once frees up time for me to reply to comments and engage with my audience online. 

 

EMAILS

Emails are unavoidable. They are a necessity in business and in life, but they can also be such a time suck. In order to avoid spending hours a day mired in your inbox, learn to batch this task. Try to visit your inbox three times a day. Each time for no more than 30 minutes. Once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once at the end of your day.  It’s important to find a healthy balance between being responsive without it consuming your day. Batching this task into three short stints during your day is one of the best systems.

 

HOUSEWORK

Housework is the ideal task for batching. Cleaning doesn’t require much mental focus; however, it can seem to take over our time. Instead of doing multiple loads of laundry throughout the week, designate a day that you will do laundry and try to get it all done. Pick a specific day that you are going to clean your floors and do them all at once. Give yourself a time limit and when the time is up you are finished. Don’t get distracted with all the things that you want to clean, but focus on the things that need to be cleaned. Everything else can wait.

 

PLANNNING

I do weekly planning every Sunday, and honestly it’s probably the only reason my life hasn’t fallen apart (yet). Instead of taking things day by day and making a to-do list from scratch for the day ahead of me (this can get very overwhelming), I sit down on Sunday to get a big-picture view of the upcoming week and plan out absolutely everything that I need to get done. That means less thinking and decision-making throughout the week—something I find indispensable.

 

EDUCATION

You should constantly be striving for self-improvement. This is one thing we don’t make a priority in our business, yet it can make the biggest impact. Instead of picking up tips and tricks here and there, designate time every week to learn about something that can benefit you in your business. Make this a habit and do it in a time that you can be focused and absorb and apply the new information.

 

FINANCES

Because you are literally doing everything as an entrepreneur, it can be tempting to let overwhelm lead you to neglect your finances. However, it is essential to your success to stay on top of your finances. Set aside time to pay your bills, record receipts, and track incoming and outgoing income. Again, one of the main benefits of task batching is complete focus. By batching your finances, you will become more aware of and organized with your money. 

 

PERSONAL NEEDS

For you workaholics out there, batching personal needs might be just the thing! Self-care is a must. When you take care of yourself and give yourself time to re-energize, you will find more motivation for your workdays. Try to schedule 1-2 hour blocks to pamper yourself, catch up with a friend, or take a yoga class.


As an entrepreneur, the only person you have to be accountable to is yourself, so it is important to find systems that bolster your productivity. Task batching to increase productivity in your business creates the right environment and habits that work for you is an investment in your own success. 

 

TASK BATCHING PROCESS

HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM

HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM

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HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE
YOUR INSTAGRAM

HASHTAGS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM

Did you know an Instagram post with at least one hashtag is far more likely to gain audience engagement than a post with no hashtags?

Hashtags are powerful. They can help your posts reach a target audience, attract followers in your niche, increase engagement, and develop a more positive and recognizable brand image. Hashtags can grow your business if used correctly. But if used too frequently or without a clear strategy in mind, they become ineffective.

 

What are hashtags?

Hashtags are a word or phrase lead by the pound sign (#), used on social media to identify specific topics. Hashtags are also another way to organize content. 

What purpose do they serve?

Hashtags can be used to promote products or brands if used correctly. Hashtags are how Instagram organizes the content, so it can be presented to the right subscribers as part of their feed. By using hashtags, you can increase your reach and serve larger audiences. Some of the more successful users achieve huge numbers of followers which can, in turn, create a unique tribe or community around a specific brand or product. It’s important to learn the art and the science behind hashtags to ensure you are taking full advantage of the benefits. If you don’t understand how they work, you might not get the return you are hoping for by using them. Hashtags can be used to attract followers, but you want to make sure they are the right followers.

Which hashtags should I use?

The main objective is to use hashtags that people are looking for.  At the same time though, it is also very important to avoid tags that over saturated or irrelevant to your post and brand.

For example, let’s imagine I want to post about my dog. Without much thought I might use #dog. This seems logical because people like dogs and it will get a lot of searches.

But the problem is that it won’t take long at all until my post disappears in the black hole of cyberspace. There are so many photos with that hashtag. But if I use #labradoodle instead, it narrows down the number of people who are more likely to see—and take interest in—my post. You want to choose hashtags that gets searched but not overused.

Narrowing your hashtags for your niche

An easy way to find out what’s trending in your industry is to view people and brands similar to you – your “competitors”.  Online influencers in your field are also an excellent source of trending hashtags that your communities are likely to support. 

Utilize Instagram’s built-in search. Find a word that that is relevant to your industry. For example, let’s use #photography. This tag is very overused and general. Using it puts your post at risk of getting buried beneath the noise.  But if you get more specific and use #houstonphotography, you are more likely to be seen. The smaller and more specific you can get, the more likely your posts will be noticed by the people looking for exactly what you have to offer.

How many hashtags should I use?

With each photo on Instagram you can add up to 30 hashtags. Some people use all 30 and others choose a smaller number. There are mixed opinions on the most ideal number of hashtags to use.  You have to play around and figure out your sweet spot. It is more important to use specific and intentional hashtags than it is to fill all 30 spots. Mix it up a little bit. Use a combination of common hashtags and very specific hashtags. Remember, your goal is to get relevant followers.  

Create a hashtag for your brand.

Branded hashtags are specific to your brand. Examples would be #applestore or #bmw. This ensures that the post relates back to your business and followers start to recognize your name. By creating your own hashtag and then encouraging your clients to use it, you will start to create a community. When someone is searching for a product or service and comes across your hashtag on several accounts, it shows that consumers are happy with your product or service. This builds trust and shows and will help build confidence in your brand.

Using hashtags is a great way to increase your traffic, gain exposure, and help grow your social media organically.  Take the time to research the hashtags that will benefit your business the most and then begin using the hashtags on your next post! 

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5 STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

5 STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

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5 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

5 STEPS TO IMPROVING YOUR INSTAGRAM PROFILE

If a potential client dropped in on your Instagram, would they be clear about what you do? Your Instagram bio can include details of your business, contact information, highlights, call to action and more. In order to draw your ideal client, you must optimize your Instagram profile. I am going to give you 5 steps to improve your Instagram profile.

You want an Instagram profile that clearly highlights what you offer, showcases your talents, and reinforces your brand. By making a few small tweaks, you can create an Instagram that will draw people in.

Here are 5 steps to take your gram profile from good to great:

Profile Picture

Choose a profile picture that shows your personality. This is your first impression and you want to show your audience you are a real person and not just a logo. You are at the center of your brand; people are loyal to people, not logos. Consider the initial visit to your profile like a first date: you want to make an impact. You want your potential client curious to know more. The more you show your face, the more engagement you will start to see.

 

Profile Description

You want your Instagram bio to be as clear and concise as possible.  You are only allowed to use 150 characters—make them count! To appeal to your target client, start by creating a rough draft using the following formula:

Who + Problem + Solution + Results


Who is your ideal client? What is their problem? How can you help solve their problem? What result will they get by working with you?


Once you have identified these elements, narrow it down to 1-2 powerful sentences.

 

Profile Link

Typically, we default to our website link, but there are better options. Your ultimate goal is to get potential clients to purchase a service or product from you.  For effective marketing you want to always have a call to action. Make your call to action (CTA) so strong and descriptive that visitors immediately click the link in your bio. You want to be constantly moving potential clients towards committing to your brand. 

 

If your goal is to grow your newsletter list, offer a freebie for first-time subscribers. If you want a client to schedule a consult, use a scheduling link. Place the link to your shop in the profile when you are launching programs or products. Your profile link should be directional and specific. 

 

Highlight Bubbles

Using this is a great way to highlight different areas of your business. You have the option to save specific stories to designated highlight bubbles. When you’re adding to your highlights section, think of the key areas you want to showcase for your business and how to keep those highlights in line with your brand. Organize your highlight bubbles in order of relevance. 


Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a great way to share behind the scenes, clips, or simply create mini-stories by using text, photos, or even GIFs. Using stories is a great way to connect with your audience. Video is a great way to show your audience the person behind the logo. The videos last 24 hours, unless they are saved to highlight bubbles. Similar to posting, the more you use this feature, the more audience engagement you will create. 

Take some time to scrutinize your profile. Ensure that it is written with clarity and is cohesive with your brand. The next time someone checks out your profile, they will have no doubts as to what you are offering. 

 

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REFINING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

How to Improve your Elevator Pitch

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REDEFINING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

REDEFINING YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH

What do you do? 

 

 

This question is inevitable when you introduce yourself. As an entrepreneur, it is essential to master your elevator pitch—a succinct statement that conveys the essence of your work. You never know who your next client may be, so always be prepared to sell yourself and your brand. 

 

 

The words you use to describe yourself at networking events, in your bio, in online networking groups, or any introduction, need to stand out and leave an impression. This is how you make connections, build a strong reputable brand, and attract more clients! Remember that you don’t need to appeal to everyone, just your ideal client.  Refining your elevator pitch gives you confidence and surety that will help you connect with the right people.  The following are key factors that will help you to convey clearly who you are and what it is you offer. 

 

WHO AND WHAT

Start with your first and last name and then your job title. Don’t be vague with your title. Include adjectives to either describe your specialty or personality traits. Whether you are a photographer, writer, coach, or designer, you want to describe what you specialize in.  If your title is all encompassing—like a web designer, freelance writer, or salon owner—use descriptive words that encompass your strengths.  Words like hardworking, energetic, positive, motivated, etc. 

 

 

Me: I am Brittni Schroeder. I am The Confidence Coach for Entrepreneurs. 

 

IDEAL CLIENTS

Know who you are trying to serve and identify them in your pitch. Remember that you don’t need to appeal to everyone, just your ideal client. By understanding who they are, you will better understand how to identify and help them. 

 

Me: I coach female entrepreneurs. 

 

PROBLEM

Identify your ideal client’s problem or struggle. Always look for ways that you can serve others. Try to understand the root and the cause of your their challenges.

 

SOLUTION

The best way to be an effective influencer is to help your potential client recognize that you are their solution provider. You want to make their life easier, better, or more enjoyable by solving a problem, answering a question, or serving them in a way that helps. Try to avoid any negative connotation. The problem doesn’t need to be stated, it is implied when you pitch the solution.

 

Me: I help female entrepreneurs by giving them effective business tools and incredible confidence to accomplish the success they are capable of achieving.

 

CREDIBILITY

You want them to know you are an expert. You have experience and education that positions you as someone who can help them succeed. This is your chance to shine. Briefly explain your background, awards or honors that make you relevant. Give tangible evidence that shows you know what you are doing. 

 

If you are just starting out in your business you can mention your education, a powerful story behind your cause, or a testimonial of someone you have worked with. The main goal is to show people that you are qualified to help them. 

 

Me: I have been a successful entrepreneur for 10 years, with my work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, and several other publications.  I have worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and seen amazing results. 

 

CURIOUSITY

Draw people in, get them interested in what you can do for them. You want them to inquire about what you have that can help them achieve success. They want to know what how you will help them improve their business and their lives. They want to learn about what makes you different and unique. 

Me: I have some amazing tools that will transform your life and your business that you haven’t used up to this point. If you are ready to take your business so the next level, you would be such a great fit for my program. 


CALL TO ACTION

Always end with a call of action. People like to be told what is next.  Show them that you can help them solve their problems and lay out exactly what they need to do next to make that happen and get to where they want to go. Give them your card or set up a time to discuss further. Be proactive and ask them for their card. Tell them you will contact them with the next step. You want the relationship to progress, so keep the momentum moving forward. 

Me: Let me get your email. I would love to send you some free resources that will dramatically improve your business. We can then set up a time to chat more about how I can help you.  

Example: I am Brittni Schroeder. I am The Confidence Coach for Entrepreneurs. I help female entrepreneurs by giving them effective business tools and incredible confidence to accomplish the success they are capable of achieving.  I have been a successful entrepreneur for 10 years, with my work featured in The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, and several other publications.  I have worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and seen amazing results. I have some amazing tools that will transform your life and your business that you haven’t used up to this point. If you are ready to take your business so the next level, you would be such a great fit for my program. Let me get your email. I would love to send you some free resources that will dramatically improve your business. We can then set up a time to chat more about how I can help you. 

My elevator pitch is under a minute. I am able to tweak and modify it for different situations. Like everything—if you practice it, you will master it. Eventually your elevator pitch will be on point. 

 

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

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BECOMING A GOAL SETTER

Becoming A Goal Setter

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BECOMING A GOAL SETTER

BECOMING A GOAL SETTER

I have always been a goal setter. But I don’t always accomplish all of my goals. I am pretty sure I have had the goal “journal regularly” on my list for the last 20 years and fail miserably year after year. But that’s okay. I believe the reason to have goals is not necessary to feel good or bad about ourselves, but to strive to become the best version of ourselves. We should constantly be pushing to become a better version of ourselves. Setting goals helps us get there.

 

There is a law of attraction in life. The things we focus on, talk about, think about, or believe, WILL happen. Have you ever noticed how successful people keep having more success? Or sad and negative people only see sad and depressing things in life, and keep experiencing them? What you put your energy into, will return to you. 

 

GOALS

The first and most important thing is to write down your goals. When we write down our goals they become real. They are no longer just a wish or a thought. Be specific with your goals. Identify when you want to complete the goal and how you will measure its completion. For example: I will send out 10 résumés by December 31st. You have given yourself a finish goal deadline. You will know it is completed because you will have sent out all 10 résumés.

 

OBSTACLES

As we set our goals, obstacles are bound to arise. We might have the thought that we don’t have enough time, we aren’t smart enough, or we are not capable of reaching what we most desire. Equally important as setting goals is identifying the obstacles that keep us from reaching them. Make a list of as many things you can think of that might get in your way from completing your goals. Now you’re on the offensive.

 

STRATEGY

Once you have a detailed list of your obstacles, it is time to form strategies. Figure out ways that you can overcome the obstacles. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed and definitely don’t underestimate your potential. If one of your obstacles is that you don’t know how to do something, your strategy can be to learn how to do it or to find someone else to do it for you. Often, when we feel stuck, we slip into inaction. Don’t let that happen!  You can do anything you set your mind to do. Remember you are in control of your mind and your thoughts.

 

As you work towards your goals you will see your own growth. Your mind will get stronger and you’ll begin to cultivate confidence. The amazing thing about goal setting is that whether or not you reach your goals, you are guaranteed to become a better, more-improved version of yourself.

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS