Entrepreneurship - Page 4

How to Build a Team of Freelancers

Published on
freelancer

Remote working is continuing to grow, and it’s estimated that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. Here are a few tips to help you build a successful team of freelancers. 

Consider Nearshoring

While outsourcing allows you to hire freelancers located anywhere in the world, nearshoring usually involves working with freelancers from countries located nearby, such as the Dominican Republic, and therefore a  similar or close enough time zone. This lets you increase efficiency by maintaining a similar daily workflow.

Post on Online Job Boards

To find freelancers, post a job listing with information about the available position. If you have a specific country in mind, you can often find job boards for that location. In the Dominican Republic, for example, it’s possible to hire freelancers via the online job portal Workana.

It’s also important to be industry-specific. That means posting job listings in places where they will be seen by relevant talent. There are job sites geared towards specific fields, from cryptocurrency to social media. Pick those most in line with the position you are looking to fill.

While a portfolio or work samples are helpful, you’ll still want to have a Google Meet, Zoom, or FaceTime call to learn more about each candidate.

Schedule Weekly Check-Ins

Be sure to schedule at least one video call a week with your freelance team when possible. Remote teams using video conferencing can build better relationships.

Establish Communication Lines

Be clear about how you’ll communicate with your team. While there are numerous social messaging channels, it’s better to try and keep workflow on email or in a messaging channel such as Telegram. Depending on the size of your team, you may want to have a Discord channel or set up Google Meet to make sure everyone is aligned.

There are a few options when it comes to paying freelancers. First, you’ll create a contract or negotiate a rate based on your needs. This can be hourly or a fixed fee delivered on a project basis. You’ll need to also discuss a timeline for payments. Consider using a money transfer service such as Remitly to ensure low fees and reliable transactions. Remitly can help you avoid high transfer fees, and instant payments to the Dominican Republic are free for first-time transfers.

Form an LLC

You’ll need to handle some logistics and admin work before you begin hiring freelancers. Depending on the amount you need, you might want to consider forming an LLC. An LLC is a limited liability company and comes with many benefits that are useful to a small business.

The amount of time it takes to form an LLC and the regulations associated with doing so differs depending on the state in which you’re planning to register. Formation services can help you with paperwork and other logistics associated with incorporation, such as ensuring you file the correct documents. They can also save you expensive lawyer fees.

Build a Team For Success

Every great idea needs support to come to fruition. Hire a team of freelancers to help you accomplish your vision. Utilize the internet to connect with talented professionals around the world. It takes a team to achieve success, and now you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Explore Keetria for more entrepreneurship insights and tips.

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

Keeping the Cash Flowing: Top Tips for Business Money Management

Published on
ai social media post generator

Business Money Management – Cash flow is always top of mind for small business owners, but sometimes, financial problems seem to materialize overnight. This often happens when owners don’t monitor cash flow property, and therefore, don’t always recognize there’s an issue until it’s too late. Advanced planning and appropriate tracking tools can help position you for a healthy financial outlook, and Keetria offers the following guidance on making it work for you.

Watch Your Numbers

Cash flow can vary from one season to another, and there are myriad factors that can influence the amount of revenue that comes through your business. Tracking your income and your accounts payable will help you identify trends, in addition to helping you monitor overall finances — both practices that will keep you aware of and in control of your company’s finances. According to the Prince’s Trust, this starts with smart business planning, utilizing the right software tools to track cash flow, and making the commitment to regularly review your books to ensure you know where you stand.

Use the Right Software

There are numerous moving parts in a small business budget, so find a software program that will help you monitor trends, as well as segment categories and set benchmarks with which to measure your finances. Being able to recognize at a glance the various income categories in your business will help you spot red flags as soon as they arise and allow you to take proactive steps to mitigate the damage. This process will also help you with short and long-term planning, as well as identifying products or services that sell well versus those that underperform. This type of strategic planning can pay big dividends down the line.

Mind Your Money …

Of course, part of tracking your money also involves having a degree of fiduciary responsibility. Make calculated purchasing choices based on market research, consumer demand, and by assessing your own finances. Regularly review pricing structures and inventory and revisit vendor and supplier contracts on a regular basis to ensure you’re getting the best deals. While it’s wise to invest in staff members who will help build your business, it’s smart to look for redundancy in roles so you can ensure you aren’t filling positions you don’t really need. Sometimes contractors and freelancers can take the place of full-time employees.

… But Mind it Carefully

While a common inclination is to slash your budget to ribbons, this can backfire. Items that usually end up on the chopping block include deeply reducing your marketing budget or hitting pause on employee development. In dire circumstances, these might make sense, but avoid measures that could ultimately hurt your bottom line. Instead, look for ways to mindfully reduce costs.

For example, instead of seeking an outsider to find solutions to business issues, turn to your staff instead to find a path forward. This creates more buy-in and can even increase morale if a collaborative effort improves processes. When it comes to marketing, ask your team to explore more cost-effective processes like tapping into the free aspects of social media or even the less expensive paid social media. Your team can even take advantage of free tools, such as an Instagram post generator or an AI social media post generator. Rather than forking over cash for a graphic designer, your staff can create captivating posts that are polished and professional in a matter of minutes.

Follow-Up on Accounts

Small business owners often have personal relationships with their customers, which can make it uncomfortable if there are outstanding invoices you need to collect. Make sure your bills all spell out your terms and conditions and make it easy for customers to pay you by giving them multiple options — electronic, debit, check, cash, or bank transfer. If payments are slow, let customers know you understand their dilemma, but reiterate your company policy and, if necessary, utilize a collection agency to intervene on your behalf. You may be able to salvage the relationship and still get paid, all by removing yourself from the transaction.

Make Regular Audits

Once you have your cash flow monitoring well in hand and your budget shored up, you can devote time to segmenting your various revenue streams and looking for ways to grow your business. Regular audits can help you make educated decisions about how well your business is performing, where you’re losing money, or spending too much. Operational decisions can be made from this knowledge — like expanding the business, or alternatively, downsizing, or going strictly online. Staying ahead of the cash curve will help ensure that all of the business decisions you make are informed ones.

Small businesses often operate on a shoestring budget, making financial monitoring all the more important. Maintaining good standing with creditors and suppliers and not allowing yourself to become over-leveraged will keep you on the right path to long-term business success.


Need help kickstarting your startup idea or getting media exposure for your brand?
Feel free to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation where we can chat about your business and how I can help! To schedule your time: CLICK HERE

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

7 Benefits of Running a Business in Houston

Published on
launch a business in houston

Is the cost of living in your city becoming unsustainably high? If you’re trying to get a new business off the ground, high prices for everything from real estate to labor can set you back. Or perhaps you’re opening a small local business, but you’ve found that the lack of a thriving business community in your area is making the process harder. You’re thinking about moving for the sake of your company, but you want to make sure your family will be happy wherever you settle down.

If you’re trying to figure out where your entrepreneurial future lies, you might want to consider moving to Houston, Texas. In contrast to cities with higher costs of living, it’s a great place to build up your business without making major financial sacrifices. And with PR coaching from consultants like Keetria, you’ll see business growth in no time. Plus, it’s a fantastic city for families! Here are a few reasons entrepreneurs can thrive in Houston.

Reasonable Cost of Living

Houston is a major metropolitan area with a surprisingly low cost of living, and reasonable prices have drawn in entrepreneurs and their families. For instance, if you’re thinking about buying a home, Millionacres states that you can expect to spend about $263,000. Median rent prices are also quite realistic for families and young professionals at $1,464 for a rental unit. Furthermore, there are plenty of apartments available for rent in the city, with a healthy rental vacancy rate of 7.4%.

And the low cost of living won’t just benefit you when it comes to renting or buying – it also means that you won’t have to spend as much to entice top talent. With lower labor costs, you can relax, knowing that your business has a longer “runway.”

Growing Population

Houston is a growing city, and this massive metro area is only gaining more residents. For business owners, this is a bonus: there is an ever-expanding talent pool in Houston, and every day, more professionals who are seeking new opportunities are choosing to settle down in the city. Right now, Houston is growing by 0.07% annually, and since 2010, the population has grown by 10.68%.

Diversity

Are you hoping to hire talent that can bring varied perspectives and creative solutions to your business? It’s time to start thinking outside the box and approach your recruiting and hiring process with diversity in mind. Houston has large African-American and Hispanic populations, and residents of the city speak more than 90 languages. The greater Houston area is definitely a cultural melting pot, and if you want to prioritize diversity within your business, it’s an ideal place to relocate your company.

Highly Educated Workforce

Houston doesn’t just have a large business network – it’s also a hub for higher education. Business owners can hire educated recent graduates from right in the city, and you can even bring on interns from local universities who want to gain valuable experience. These Houston colleges and universities graduate bright students who are more than ready for the professional world:

  • With multiple local campuses, the University of Houston offers unique programs in subjects like Space Architecture.
  • Rice University is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in the United States.
  • Baylor College of Medicine is a top medical school for research students.

Entrepreneurial Community

No entrepreneur is ever on their own in Houston. You’ll be part of a community with loyal customers, helpful business owners, advisers, and local leaders. When you’re dealing with a problem, you’ll have the guidance you need to push forward, and you’ll feel inspired to take on bigger projects and challenge yourself. Bold Patents recommends these supportive organizations for entrepreneurs:

  • The Small Business Development Center provides free educational resources for business owners.
  • The Indus Entrepreneurs facilitates networking and mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurs.
  • LaunchEffect is a local incubator that offers lots of helpful services to entrepreneurs, as well as classes, hackathons, and more.

Fun Local Activities

Simply put, you’ll never be bored in Houston. On any given day, there are plenty of things to do, and no matter where your interests lie, you’ll be able to find an outlet in the city. From the eclectic restaurant scene to the gorgeous green spaces, you can enjoy a very high quality of life in Houston. And this benefits the local workforce – after all, happy employees are more productive and motivated! Here are a few places and events to check out in Houston:

  • Explore an extensive trail network and view stunning art installations at Buffalo Bayou Park.
  • Spend a day perusing the gardens, renting a pedal boat, and having a picnic at Hermann Park.
  • Let loose at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and revel in the city’s creative side at the Houston Art Car Parade!

Business Launch Resources

If you’re relocating to Houston from another state, it’s important to make a checklist of all the requirements you’ll need to fulfill in order to officially open and run a business in Texas. A few important tasks for business owners include:

  • Choose a unique business name that is not already on file with the Texas Secretary of State and file to register your business entity.
  • Apply for state licenses and permits, such as a sales tax permit from the Comptroller of Public Accounts, relevant regulatory permits, and necessary occupational licenses.
  • Take out a business insurance policy and open a business bank account.

And with so many transactions conducted remotely, you’ll need a strong internet connection to launch and grow your business. To find a fast and reliable internet service, check out local internet providers that cover your area and research their average maximum speeds. If you can get fiber optic internet service in your area, it’s worth the investment – it’s generally about ten times faster than DSL service.

With so many perks for entrepreneurs, it’s no wonder that business owners and hard-working professionals are flocking to Houston. For Houston’s entrepreneurs, the future is bright! The low cost of living, growing business community, and bountiful resources mean that success is well within your reach in Houston.

Ready to start building your business’s brand? Seek PR coaching from Keetria! Schedule a free consultation call through our website today.

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

How To Build A Business with Little Money

Published on
/
how to build a business

A Newbie Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating a Business from the Ground Up

INTRODUCTION – THE INTERNET AND DECREASED BUSINESS COSTS

Entrepreneurs today are lucky to be hopeful business owners during an era of resources. It used to be that business owners would work hard and only have a small hope that their business would take off in their area, but the Internet has now globalized the way we think about how to build a business.

The best part? It’s extremely inexpensive. Unlike marketing methods of the past that would cost entrepreneurs an arm and a leg, we’re now living in an age when social media, digital and content marketing strategies are inexpensive and easy to utilize, vastly increasing a business’ ROI potential.

Traditional physical business models are always going to be here to stay, but the age of the Internet is upon us. Entrepreneurs who want to save money while still creating and owning a business can now lease digital room at a rate that’s a fraction of the cost of a brick and mortar storefront.

The Internet is a Global Platform. It allows business owners to introduce themselves to a virtual audience while making real profits they can take to the bank.

Not only does the Internet give entrepreneurs a platform on which to reach their audience, it opens them up to audiences from around the world. Businesses that have a global potential can find success via the more than 3 BILLION users online as of August 2015. Since 1995, the Internet has grown at a staggering rate with 42% of the global population now having access to the Internet in some way.

This allows entrepreneurs to grow incredibly large businesses without investing that much capital. As businesses grow, of course, more money is needed to maintain the company — but profits grow with businesses online. Jeff Bezos created Amazon as an online bookstore and didn’t have a sale for a year. Now he owns the largest online retailer of any product imaginable.

When you use this ebook article as your guide to starting a business, you learn the benefits of the Internet as an online business platform, how to maintain costs and keep them low, as well as learn about incredible resources that can help your Internet storefront thrive.

I. BUSINESS MODELS THAT WILL KEEP COSTS LOW AND PROFITS HIGH

Let’s back up. At this point, you haven’t made a business yet, whether it’s a brick and mortar storefront or an online ecommerce hub. Before an entrepreneur ever launches any kind of business, crafting an executable strategy is the first step to success. 

First, entrepreneurs must test their marketplace. When you know your audience and what they need, you can better plan for your business launch.

The first step in marketplace testing should always be to examine market presence and competition. The easiest way to do this is to simply Google your potential business’ purpose online, like “haircare for kids” or “pet training kits.” What ads show up? How many relevant results are there? Perform your searches with quotation marks and examine how many results there are — any number under 50,000 is your sweet spot. This means competition will be minimal.

From here it’s easy to examine the competition that does exist and adjust business expectations accordingly. If a business idea has too much market competition, it may be time to rethink things.

Now we can examine the benefits of information marketing and media downloads. This is the sale of information online and media, respectively.

Information marketing is one of the most budget effective forms of business because it’s original, based on information a person already knows and only requires two things to be actionable: a website and a .PDF. Selling ebooks or online courses also help an entrepreneur grow their credibility. It’s one thing to sell a product, but the knowledge about that product is much more valuable. For instance, a dog training kit doesn’t present the same credibility as an ebook on simple dog training tips.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a downside to information marketing. An ebook isn’t worth a lot of money in the long run, and entrepreneurs who marketing ebooks or online courses at exorbitant fees will find they don’t move a lot of volume.

In general, you make what you put into information marketing. A five or six-page ebook isn’t worth as much as an in-depth, professionally designed, four-week course package. The amount of money to be made will vary based on the quality, length and credibility of the product.

Media downloads are similar but include a different formatting. Instead of “print” media, media downloads include videos, podcasts and other forms of auditory or visual media. These, however, require more investment capital — it costs a lot less to write an ebook as compared to selling a successful podcast.

Do you have a talent or skill that can translate into online sales? Selling online services can be a great way to make money online with a personal brand as a business.

Whether you’re a writer, a graphic designer or video specialist, you can make money online without a fully-realized business to invest in. The goal may be to build up to a content marketing firm, but brand establishment is important when you’re starting out. Sites like Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork are great for advertising your services so you can work your way up.

There are obvious benefits and negatives here. The pros are that you get to make money without spending money and you’re performing a service you already know how to do. The negative is that you aren’t protected in the way you would be if you owned a business of your own.

On the other hand, you may already have a brick and mortar store or physical products. How do you translate a physical business into digital sales?

This can be a bit trickier when it comes to keeping things on a budget. This requires a true online business, though it doesn’t mean a lot of capital has to be invested. There are either different skills or objects needed to make this happen:

• Knowledge of ecommerce solutions

• Web design skills

• Graphic design skills

• Online-to-offline business integration

• Attention to detail

• Copywriting abilities

• Domain name & website hosting

• Customer service

With all of this work comes a lot of profit, however. The benefits of an online storefront include owning your own business, there are resources that make the process easier and easy access to scaling up a business.

This also applies to selling someone else’s physical goods as a reseller. If you want to create a business based on selling physical goods that haven’t yet been, understand that creating goods increases business startup costs by a large margin.

Sometimes it’s possible to make money in business without creating your own products or even selling your own services. Entrepreneurs can make money via other business owners via commission.

Affiliate marketing is a way to make money online without even creating a website. How is this possible? Essentially affiliate marketing is the art of sending traffic to someone else’s website or product. When that person makes a purchase, the company makes money AND so does the person that sent them there — A.K.A. you.

Owning a website and affiliate marketing for multiple companies is the best way to make money in this “business,” but it’s not something that’s required. If you already own a business, affiliate marketing isn’t something you can’t participate in. It’s all about promotion and being paid for this promotion.

The cons of this method of money making include being at the mercy of the business in question and being distanced from the product itself. On the other hand, it’s money that can be made easily with little to no time or capital investment. The company is the one dealing with products and customers — not you. In general, affiliate marketing is great for entrepreneurs that want to put their foot in the door while still making some cash at the same time.

There’s also CPA — cost per action marketing. The difference here is that there’s no selling of a product, but instead the money comes when you get someone to take some type of action. This can include something like a trial membership, newsletter subscription or another type of CTA (call to action). The purpose? Businesses know that getting in new customers or creating actionable leads is worth commission.

Finally, entrepreneurs must look at this variety of startup models and ask themselves a few questions that cement their identity as a business person.

Before deciding on a specific type of business model, these are three questions that you need to ask yourself:

• What is it that you’re good at?

• What do you enjoy doing, and can it be actionable as a means to make money?

• How much of your own business are you capable of handling yourself, whether because of your skillset or time management?

How you answer these questions may determine the business model you should choose. It’s important to know the answers to these questions in order to create a business that you’re comfortable fostering and continuing — it should be based around your wants, needs and capabilities for the sake of longevity.

II. ESTABLISHING A SENSIBLE BUSINESS BUDGET

You’ve asked yourself some hard questions and decided your business model. Now what? The next step is deciding what your budget is going to be. While the cost of your business model will vary greatly depending on the model you chose — for instance, creating a product and then establishing a website won’t be as inexpensive as an affiliate marketing site investment — it’s also worthy to note that there are always inexpensive options to choose, no matter the model you went with.

For your business start up, avoid spending money on all the business bells and whistles. Look for free tools and resources that will lower your costs.

For both startup investments and continuous operational costs, there are three different types of costs that factor into these different business areas.

The costs being discussed are:

• Fixed — These are one-time investments that you’ll only have to spend once or very rarely.

• Recurring — Costs that are cyclical and will be a constant concern, whether monthly, weekly or yearly.

• Invisible — Hidden investments that relate to a business but not specifically.

To keep things simple, let’s break down each type of cost and common expenses that fall into that category, as well as an estimated cost for that expense:

FIXED COSTS

• Software needed to run a business (can be free or up to $500)

• Web design (free to $2,000)

• Extra development (up to $500)

• Branding creation (free to $300)

• A computer for work ($350 to $1000, laptop preferred)

• Business cards and other startup marketing material ($20 to $50)

RECURRING COSTS

• Domain registration (varies depending on your host, but typically $10 to $15 a year)

• Web hosting (varies depending on host, $6 to $15 per month at startup)

• SSL certification ($70 to $300 per year, not totally necessary but recommended)

• Maintenance ($100 to $2000 depending on your experience level)

• Payment processing (usually 2.9% commission)

• Advertising (free to varied, like $5 per day via Facebook advertising)

• Email autoresponder ($20 or more per month depending on email volume)

• Shopping cart (free to $200 plus per month)

• Cloud storage (free to $10 per month)

• Site backup (free to $5 per month)

HIDDEN COSTS

• Time, in the context of wage and business cost

• Rent or mortgage of your own home, A.K.A. your business hub

• Bills for Internet, phone and electricity

• Education required to run said business

• Email management

It’s important to make a very obvious note here:

This is an example. It is used as a starting point for one type of business model. Some expenses may apply to your business model, some may not. Some may not be listed. Your own budget depends greatly on your business model, experience and the tools you need to get started.

Smart business owners will look for ways to cut their costs and vet any only deals they think can lower their budget. For your own reference, copy this sheet to a document of your own and edit it accordingly. What does your own budget look like?

III. TOOLS ENTREPRENEURS CAN USE TO HELP STAY WITHIN THEIR BUDGET

You now have the business model you want to go with and the budget required to make it happen. Now the next step is to further estimate those costs via reliable and cheap service providers that can further decrease your budget.

It’s worth saying that just because a service is cheap, it isn’t worthless — many big name companies still use “tight budget” companies because there’s no use spending lots of money on a service when you could be saving all that cash for something else.

For each area, three different inexpensive service providers are listed. Choose one of these or do your own research on a cheap service alternative!

If your business requires one of these services, consider the recommendation:

DOMAIN REGISTRATION

• GoDaddy.com

• Domain.com

• Name.com

WEB HOSTING PROVIDERS

• Ehost.com

• iPage.com

• Bluehost.com

For more information on choosing a provider for your business, check out this best web hosting provider resource from Digital.com.

WEBSITE PLATFORMS

• WordPress.com

• DoodleKit.com

• Moonfruit.com

ECOMMERCE SOLUTIONS

• WooCommerce (Free plugin for WordPress, but expensive for additional features/extensions)

• Shopify

• 1shoppingcart

FREE BUSINESS LISTINGS

• Google My Business 

• Bing Places for Business

• Yahoo Local

We also suggest using a PASSWORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM to protect your information. Check out this complete password management systems guide from PasswordManager.com

These are just a few types of resources and a few examples of each resource — this gives you a starting place for looking for your own inexpensive resources.

IV. YOU’VE STARTED A BUSINESS…NOW HOW DO YOU STAY ON A BUDGET?

Creating a business and setting up a budget are actually the easy steps within this ebook. Now we get to examine how to continue to stay on a budget as your business grows and resources necessary to keep things on track.

Maximizing business profitability is something a lot of experts talk about, but new entrepreneurs often don’t understand how to make it happen. Thus, they’re often lured into profitability scams — or resources that live by the old adage “you have to spend money to make money.” The sad thing is that entrepreneurs will spend money on these services, then find they aren’t making the money they were promised.

Starting a business doesn’t mean you have to spend lots of money to make it work. It’s essential to understand how to manage a business while simultaneously making money doing what you love.

First, don’t throw away your day job just because you got your first ecommerce sale. A startup company shouldn’t be what you sacrifice a living wage for, especially when you don’t know if your first attempt at business ownership will be successful or not.

Learn how to barter for goods and services. Being cash poor doesn’t mean you aren’t extremely wealthy due to your assets, skills, abilities and connections. If you can’t buy graphic design work, why not leverage your content writing abilities for a logo design?

Do you watch Shark Tank? You don’t have to go on national TV to find a great business investor. There are venture capitalists out there that would love to give you money to run your own business in order to see an expansive return.

Always look for ways to be thrifty. Don’t ever spend money without thinking first: “can I find a less expensive way to accomplish this task?” If you like looking for deals while grocery shopping, apply those same techniques here. Look for coupon codes, do your research and always be willing to haggle.

Finally, don’t spend big bucks on invoicing or accounting. Budget marketing tools like TurboCash or FreshBooks exist for a reason.

It’s also unnecessary to spend big bucks on marketing. Online marketing is cheap, easy to do and gives businesses an incredible ROI.

Online reviews are your friend. When a business is starting out, credibility is paramount. CTAs (calls to action) and requests for reviews can make all the difference in the world. Promote your business on sites like Yelp! or Google+ Local for an added incentive.

Blogging can be another way to make your business more credible while simultaneously creating marketable content. Blogs are easy to link to on social media, create SEO potential and establish yourself as an industry expert.

Speaking of social media, businesses that aren’t on social media are behind the times. Promoting products and deals on sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn (depending on whether your business is B2B or not) can bring in new traffic, generate new leads and give businesses the ability to connect with consumers.

You should also consider joining industry groups. Whether they are forums or chat rooms, these are vehicles for building great industry relationships while also promoting SEO in search engines.

Sites like HelpAReporter.com, or HARO, will help to promote your business via press releases or news stories you provide them. This helps media channels to find verified information about your business.
Connect with other businesses via a tit-for-tat relationship. Promoting another business via testimonials or cross-promotion efforts can mean they’ll do the same for you.

CONCLUSION – CREATING AN ACTION PLAN THAT WORKS

It’s one thing to have all the information necessary to start a business, and yet quite another to actually make it happen. I’ve provided you with advice and resources — now it’s your turn to turn it all into an incredible business!

You now know:

• It’s possible to make money online and to lay the foundation for an Internet business without investing a lot of capital.

• The Internet can give any business global reach.

• How to create a budget and stick to that budget with easily actionable tips.

• You can start and own a business for as much as $1,000 to as cheap as being completely free!

You don’t have to fully commit to all of these tasks yourself — outsourcing can be an incredible asset to new entrepreneurs.

It’s always important to consider what you’re capable of and what you can delegate to someone else. As your business grows, so will your need to ask others for help and to create new jobs for new employees. Every business starts with one person, but great business owners will soon realize their small startup has the potential to be something much bigger than they ever thought possible…

…and all of that is possible thanks to the Internet and low-cost business techniques.

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

The Power of Mentorship with ARCG Media’s Rob Aurelius

Published on

When Rob Aurelius started his entrepreneurial journey helping friends and clients build their brands he had no idea that his aspirations to help them establish their online presence would eventually lead to the mentorship of a lifetime.

The founder of New York-based ARCG Media, an online social media agency specializing in digital marketing and promotions, Aurelius launched the company in 2013. Eager to try his hand at deploying social media strategies for entertainers, recording artists, athletes, emerging lifestyle brands, and live events, he sought to work in the industry he’s loved since childhood; Pro-wrestling. It was during this time that Aurelius started directing his attention towards the WWE to offer his promotional services to the wrestlers on its roster. This allowed him to work with several talented professional athletes including Brooklyn Brawler, John Morrison, Titus O’Neil, Finn Balor, Fred Rosser, Stu Bennett, Ric Flair, and more.

Three years later during a weekday afternoon in Brooklyn, Aurelius would meet WWE Superstar Thaddeus Bullard aka Titus O’Neil. This meeting opened doors for Aurelius. He absorbed all he could from the renowned pro wrestler, philanthropist, and author who has been one of his primary sources of inspiration and encouragement over the years. Yesterday, O’Neil was recognized for his philanthropic work throughout the Tampa Bay area and Aurelius is taking the time to express his gratitude and appreciation for his dear mentor and friend.

Titus O’Neil said, “We constantly brag that America is the greatest country in the world and it’s not, so if you want to be the greatest country in the world, let’s start by being the greatest people in the world.” “When I heard him say that, it immediately made me want to make certain changes in my life,” said Aurelius.

As a passionate, pro-wrestling enthusiast, Aurelius’s expertise in the pro-wrestling world allowed him access to some of the organization’s most notable events including WrestleMania. Making a name for himself hasn’t been smooth sailing for Aurelius. Despite the challenges, he has continued to appreciate the smallest of victories and turns to O’Neil when needed.

Titus O’Neil will receive the WWE’s annual Warrior Award, which is presented during WrestleMania week. A recent article in Tampa Bay Times shared, “O’Neil will receive the award during a pre-recorded broadcast of the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony that will air tonight at 8 p.m. on PeacockTV.” O’Neil is also co-hosting this year’s 2-day WrestleMania event in his hometown of Tampa at Raymond James Stadium on April 10th – April 11th. This is the first Live WWE event that is allowing fans in attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aurelius is excited to see his mentor breaking boundaries and soaring to such impeccable heights within his industry, and in his community. As he continues to make a name for himself Aurelius is grateful to have the guidance of a true, world-class hero by his side. When asked how O’Neil’s mentorship has influenced and helped shape his career Aurelius said, “One thing I have learned for sure in this journey is that nothing great is ever achieved without passion.”

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

How to Take Your Leadership Skills to the Next Level

Published on
leadership skills

Whether you work for someone else or run your own business, good leadership skills can have a very positive impact on your professional success. Great leaders have what it takes to guide their teams toward a common goal. Despite common belief, no one is born a natural leader. Anyone has the capacity to thrive in a leadership role with the right education! Check out the following resources from Keetria to take your leadership skills up a notch.

Get a Formal Education

While you don’t need a formal education to become a leader, pursuing a formal degree or diploma can prove invaluable.

  • Formal training will teach you tried and true leadership methods that you can employ in your own business.
  • Attending university is a fantastic opportunity to network with other leaders.
  • At school, you will learn how to think critically and take other perspectives — key traits of any effective leader.
  • Earning an online MBA degree is a great option for working professionals.

Learn on The Go

If you’re short on time, find creative ways to fit learning into your day! Audiobooks and podcasts are great for learning on the go.

  • Listen to podcasts while cooking dinner or cleaning the house.
  • Play an audiobook during your daily commute.
  • Read e-books while waiting for appointments.
  • Find ways to learn on the job.

Improve Your Communication Skills

Communication plays a key role in leadership. If you’re looking to improve your leadership skills, try learning how to be a better communicator.

Learning how to be a good leader won’t happen overnight. Every day, dedicate some time towards learning and practicing the skills that will help you succeed.

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

Top 5 Podcasts for Creatives & Entrepreneurs

Published on

The podcast market is well and truly spoiling us creatives and entrepreneurs! Whether you are a creative, an entrepreneur, or a creative entrepreneur, a good podcast can be insightful, engaging, and inspiring. Let’s show you five of our favorite podcasts so you can develop your skills and refine your life, all while driving the car or cooking your dinner!

Being Boss

A great starting point for any creative entrepreneurial freelancer. If you are daydreaming about quitting your job, or you have been in charge of your own life for a while, there is a wide variety of insight into routines, mindset, marketing, processes, and everything else involved in doing the thing you love. The hosts Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon provide a warm and engaging partnership that reminds us all that we’ve all got to start somewhere.

The Strategy Hour Podcast

We’re not all business-minded in the strictest sense, even though we run a business. If you are looking for marketing tips and strategies to grow your business, this is a podcast that will truly inspire you to work harder at doing what you love. The hosts Abagail Pumphrey and Emylee Williams from Think Creative Collective may have successful six-figure businesses, but they share the nitty-gritty details on how hard it was on the way up. Truly, this is a podcast about the meat and potatoes parts of running a business. The variety of entrepreneurs providing in-depth, real, and human perspectives on somewhat in-human components like sales and affiliate marketing make it a wonderful aural stepping stone to becoming a creative entrepreneur.

The Tim Ferriss Show

The lessons in running a business all begin with the lessons you learn yourself. Tim Ferriss has constantly searched for the “minimum effective dose” in his life, whether it’s working smarter, becoming physically fit, or running a business. And this long-running podcast provides an amazing insight into anything that you want to get better at. Guests like Tony Robbins have shone a light on what they do when they wake up in the morning, and others from a variety of industries remind us all the goal is simple: to learn function at our optimum. When you are trying to run a business, this is crucial.

Badass Creatives

If you are on a mission to change the world, this is the ideal podcast. The host Mallory Whitfield provides a plethora of personal and business advice for creative types. It’s one for those creatives who are looking to delve deep into the creative process, without necessarily going down the typical businessy aspects. While the host is a marketing expert, she is also an artist and speaker, which is an inspiration for anybody that may feel stuck in the digital realm but just dream of becoming creative in the most freeing sense.

Creative Pep Talk

If you want to build a creative career, you may feel you have to make concessions in life. If everybody around you is trying to talk you down, you need a pep talk like this podcast! The host Andy J. Pizza is there to give you insight and interviews with a wide variety of creative professionals to show you that everybody experiences difficulties in trying to achieve their dream!

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

Communication Skills Every Entrepreneur Must Master

Published on
communication-skills-for-entrepreneurs-1

Being an entrepreneur means being able to communicate with your employees, your shareholders, your customers, the list goes on… Here are a few tips to communicate effectively

Communication Skills for Entrepreneurs – Being an entrepreneur is more than just coming up with a great idea. It’s more than simply putting that idea to practice, too. As an entrepreneur, you more than likely are going to spend 99% of your time working with others to bring your ideas to life. If you can’t communicate your thoughts and ideas to anyone else, well, unless your business plan calls for a one-person show, you’re out of luck. 

Communication is a critical skill for all entrepreneurs. Even the best idea will never grow if the person who came up with it can’t communicate it effectively. Communication doesn’t just mean talking, either. There are many skills within the subset of communication, from body language to writing to negotiation, which are all critical to success as an entrepreneur. 

Eric Porat, an online entrepreneur shared with us six key communication skills you must master as an entrepreneur. 

1. Listening

Communication Skills for Entrepreneurs – Listening? You might be confused, but a good listener is on the fast track to becoming an excellent communicator. Entrepreneurs are often so caught up in their own brilliant ideas that they don’t stop to hear the thoughts of those around them. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Try to always focus on the person speaking to you and be sure you can summarize what they said in your own mind before you choose to respond and build on the conversation further. Good listening skills will allow you to serve your clients and manage your employees more effectively, because you’ll be able to identify and respond to their concerns and thoughts.

2. Conversing

Conversation is one of the most basic forms of communication, but because of that, it’s also the foundation for almost every interaction you’ll have as an entrepreneur. Basic conversations with your employees will build trust overtime, and they also can help you realize issues before they blow up and become serious. Meanwhile, a chat on the subway with a stranger just might become a sales opportunity.

If you can learn to speak in a friendly way (listening goes a long way here), you’ll be able to apply it to tons of situations, from sales pitches to conflict resolutions and more.

3. Conflict Management

Communication Skills for Entrepreneurs – Conflict management is one of the key parts of being an entrepreneur. Many managers spend nearly half their day dealing with conflicts. It might be between two employees who hold different opinions about their work or responsibilities, or it might be two of your vendors who had some sort of lapse in communication. 

In all cases, the trick is acknowledging both sides. Put yourselves in the shoes of each individual and figure out why they’re upset and what their point is. If you can’t understand both sides, you can’t resolve the issue. Come from a central ground and give each side their fair due.

Also, if you want to resolve conflicts successfully, you need to learn how to push back productively when an employee is in the wrong. That said, make sure any and all pushback is polite and productive, while remaining non-personal. A good plan is to focus on clarity at all times in conflict management. If you can communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely, it makes it a lot easier for people to listen and understand where you’re coming from.

4. Body Language

Much of communication is nonverbal, so mastering your body language is extremely important. Also, if you’re good with body language, you’ll learn to understand your employees and clients much better just from watching their body language. Posture is extremely critical. Sit or stand straight, keep your shoulders back, and hold your head high. ALWAYS look people in the eye and avoid fidgeting. Keep your hands out of your pockets, as well. 

These are mere basic techniques, and there are dozens upon dozens more. Becoming a body language expert is a great way to master communication subtly, because most people won’t even realize what you’re doing, but YOU will. 

5. Presenting

As an entrepreneur, presenting will have to be your bread and butter. You might be presenting your financials to investors, presenting your services to a client, presenting your business to a buyer, or something else. Even presenting the ideas behind entrepreneurship at an event or convention of sorts may be something in your calendar one day. 

Be clear, be concise, and remain poised at all times. Avoid talking too fast and avoid interjections like “um” at all costs. Good body language, like we talked about above, is critical when presenting. If you can present well, you’ll excel in a variety of settings, so work on your presentation skills today!

6. Writing

You don’t have to be the next Hemingway or Faulkner, but you do need to learn how to write concisely, communicating your thoughts in written form as simply and clearly as possible. Email is probably the most common form of communication in the modern business world. Texting and Slack messaging aren’t far behind. You MUST be able to communicate your thoughts clearly via the written word and avoid misinterpretation as much as possible. Being a skilled writer is a great way to become a superb manager.

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!



You might be interested in

Why I Wrote “Courage Is A Muscle”

Published on

When I begin writing the manuscript for what is now Courage Is A Muscle: Using Heart to Power Your Entrepreneurial Dreams, I didn’t have any specific intentions of what I wanted to do with the material once it was completed. I imagined the book would be largely about entrepreneurship but it ended up being more than that. Check out the introduction here.


Getting Started

I consider myself a writer and I write frequently, most of the time using pen and pad. I’ve always sketched, written short stories and poems along with all the creative journaling you can imagine. Since I was a child, I just enjoy the process. But, this particular project ended up being more than just another writing exercise, doodle, or creative blog. This time, the project and the process was completely different. And, the COURAGE journey is still unfolding. Needless to say, it’s been extremely insightful and far from anything I could have ever scripted in my imagination!

It started with an impulse. I just felt the nudge to write several months if not weeks leading up to me finally opening up my laptop and writing the first sentence. It’s funny because I kept getting the nudge to write and would often mention to family members and friends that I wanted to write but never truly got started. I knew I wanted to write something. For whatever reason, I stalled to get started until I begin to remember the inner conversations I had with myself, about my grandma. Within this manuscript, lies several lessons on courage, faith, and the importance of trusting yourself, and also building yourself.

In the Writing

When I started writing I looked forward to rereading all the material I wrote and thinking about why specific information came to mind. As I continued writing, I noticed how the different memories were given new life as I thought of them. I also found myself laughing aloud when I wrote a specific sentence or thought about the episodic adventures of my entrepreneurial journey. 

It’s funny how it’s always later on that we realize the significance of those memorable moments in our lives, whether it be something like a birth of a child, a wedding, or a funeral – how oftentimes these moments serve as reference points for starting over (aka getting our shit together), starting something new, or at least coming to terms where you are in your life – whether you like where you are or not. Writing helped me to rethink and to revisit the different steps of my entrepreneurial journey.

As I looked back on where I started to where I am now I realize that each step was important because it gave me the time and space I needed to grow. In the same way, we grow as we reach the many milestones of life. Now, with this information, I can see my way forward. Recalibrate. Do things differently or don’t do certain things at all. This particular piece of writing is what Courage Is A Muscle ended up being for me.


What I’ve Learned

Even though I didn’t start with a clear intention – other than to share entrepreneurial nuggets with my audience – Courage Is A Muscle also ended up being a bit of a memoir.  In hindsight, I realize how much I had to step outside my own comfort zone to share my experience with others. A bit more exposed and vulnerable; I ended up being okay with that. In the process, I also realized that the vulnerability of sharing much of ourselves with others isn’t as scary as our inner critics make it out to be.

Yes, people judge and criticize but I’ve learned that it’s really none of my business how another person runs their race. I may not like it or agree with it and I don’t have to – I do my best to stay in my lane. I found the more I laid it all out in my writing, the freer I became. It’s like I was able to tap into that encouragement my grandma offered years before — we can do anything we put our minds to.


To Sum It Up

At the end of the day, it takes courage. This book has allowed me to take a huge step in the right direction — outside of my own head. There’s much more I could add to this but I’ll let it here for now. I hope that you’ll enjoy Courage Is A Muscle as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

Courage Is A Muscle: Using Heart To Power Your Entrepreneurial Dreams is now available in Kindle & Paperback on Amazon.

Keetria is an entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and brand strategy coach for creatives & entrepreneurs with 16 years of public relations expertise working with some of the world’s leading brands, startups, media personalities, and entertainers. If you would like to work together, don’t hesitate to reach out!

You might be interested in

The Importance of Sharing your Gift with the World

Published on
the importance of sharing your gift

Updated: March 2024

If we had to agree on one factor that makes human beings unique, it would be the gift of individual creative expression. No matter how small the gift or talent may seem, we each have something special to share that sets us apart from anyone else. Although many of us share similar gifts, we each have our own way of expressing them. Many of us can inspire, motivate, empower, or encourage others without being aware of it. 

Sharing your gift is a way to give back to the world, not because you have to but because it allows others to learn, grow and advance in ways they have yet to experience.

Throughout history, we have heard of people from diverse backgrounds who have shared their gifts or abilities and later become well-recognized for their contributions. Not that recognition should be your primary motive for sharing your gift although public recognition and appreciation from others can happen. 

From novice writers who have found their calling in writing books or poems to talented athletes who have pushed performance boundaries within their sport, we all have something to offer. When these talents are shared, we allow others to enjoy the uniqueness of our gift.

Whatever sets you apart from others is the source of your creative abundance. Your gift and your creativity serve as fuel for others. Taking action will inspire others to do the same. And as the old saying goes, gifts are meant to be shared. Again, you’re not seeking appreciation or validation for sharing your gift – your main focus is to share it. Those individuals drawn to experience your creative talent are the ones who will appreciate it most. But, no one benefits if you’re unwilling to share it first. 

Sharing your gift also provides knowledge for others. So in sharing, we help others navigate their journey. 

This is why we need to move beyond whatever self-doubt or fear we experience. We fuel self-limiting emotions even more when we debate whether we’re talented or good enough to share our work or ideas. By highlighting your gift, you eventually move beyond the fear of being judged and criticized. And again, more importantly, we allow others to experience what it’s like to share in those gifts, which can encourage them to do the same. 

1. Create a Space Online

You could start by creating a blog, social platform, podcast, or YouTube channel that focuses on a topic or subject that lights you up. Any outlet where you can express your ideas through your talent is an excellent place to start when sharing your gift. If you feel stuck when trying to determine the best option for you, ask yourself these three questions:

Who is my audience?

What platform(s) do they use (where can I find them)?

How will using this platform help me reach my audience?
One of the biggest benefits of creating an online space is that it’s something you can do from anywhere in the world. This means you can create a blog from your bedroom or a website from your local coffee shop. A space online allows you to share your work with a broader audience.

Are you a Creator who wants to share your story?

2. Try Volunteering

Check out organizations in your area that are involved in events or discussions that allow you to contribute your gift in some way. This could be through a speaker organization that can help you cultivate your talent or an animal shelter that allows you to work within their organization and work directly with animals waiting to be adopted. 

Volunteering is also a great way to flex your creative muscles. You’ll be working with people with different talents than you, which can give you a new perspective on how to approach problems. You’ll also work toward a common goal, which can help you think outside the box and make connections between seemingly unrelated topics.

Consider the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data (2022): a staggering 23.9% of Americans volunteered their time. This translates to millions of people sharing their gifts and making a positive impact.

3. Start Performing – Take Action

Whether a speaking engagement or open mic comedy night, putting yourself out there through action is a great way to share your gifts. Consider performing. Even if you’re hesitant about getting on stage, do it in fear, knowing that you’ll get better and better over time. 

Talent is like a muscle: it will atrophy if you don’t use it. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t practice and hone your skills, you won’t get very far. Your goal is to stop sitting on your gifts and start giving them.

Benefits of Sharing Your Gifts

1. Personal Fulfillment

Sharing your talents allows you to express yourself authentically and pursue your passions. This can bring a sense of personal satisfaction and joy as you engage in activities that resonate with you deeply.

Sharing your gifts not only enriches your life but also positively impacts others. Our Creative Strategy Sessions offer expert guidance and tailored strategies to help you effectively share your talents. Unlock your full potential and showcase your creativity with confidence by joining us for a session today.

2. Building Connections

Sharing your gifts isn’t just about expressing yourself—it’s also about building connections and forming meaningful bonds with others who share your passions. Whether you’re collaborating on a project or simply swapping stories and insights, your gifts have the power to bring like-minded people together.

In doing so, you not only create a sense of belonging but also foster a vibrant community where everyone’s contributions are valued.

3. Personal Growth 

Stepping beyond your comfort zone, embracing risks, and challenging yourself are essential for sharing your gifts. This journey of personal growth involves learning new skills, overcoming obstacles, and expanding your horizons.

By daring to explore the unknown, you enrich your experiences and evolve into a better version of yourself.

4.  Developing Creativity and Innovation

Sharing your gifts not only stimulates creativity but also prompts fresh exploration of diverse viewpoints and ideas. This fosters innovation by inspiring you to experiment boldly, embrace calculated risks, and challenge the status quo.

As you push the boundaries of conventional thinking, you open doors to unprecedented possibilities and pave the way for transformative breakthroughs in your field.

5. Making a Difference

Sharing your gifts extends beyond personal satisfaction—it’s about making a difference in the wider world. Whether it’s sparking inspiration, advocating for important causes, or fostering positivity in your community, your contributions have far-reaching impacts. 

By embracing your talents, you play a vital role in creating a brighter future for all.

6.  Happiness and Well-Being

Research demonstrates a clear link between assisting others and utilizing your abilities intentionally to enhance happiness, self-worth, and overall life fulfillment. By leveraging your talents to make a positive impact, you cultivate a sense of significance and direction in your life. 

This connection between giving back and personal well-being highlights the profound benefits of sharing your gifts with the world. (source: APA PsycNet)

7.  Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Helping others and feeling connected to a community can have a calming effect. Studies indicate that it lowers stress hormones and induces a state of relaxation. 

This connection underscores the therapeutic benefits of both giving and belonging. (source: NCBI)

Conclusion 

When we have something – a talent or gift – that gives us an endless flow of creativity, peace, freedom, or empowerment, it shows that others could benefit too. When we decide to share, we support the potential for the endless opportunities our gift affords others.

Also. when we keep our gifts to ourselves, we end up diminishing our creativity because we’re not putting anything out to receive new creative energy. Stifling creative energy often leads to dissatisfaction and frustration in our lives. We end up with a surplus of drawings, crafts, and other skills that never see potential.

Many of us tend to discredit ourselves when it comes to our gifts. We agree with the inner critic who often taunts us with the internal noise of doubt, unworthiness, indecision, and fear; These are common characteristics that keep us from advancing our talents to the next level. 

Are you ready to ignite your creativity and share your unique gifts with the world? Don’t wait any longer: schedule your Creative Strategy Session today! Let us work together to develop personalized strategies that will help you reach your full potential and succeed.

You might be interested in

1 2 3 4 5 6 7