Guest Post

Communication Skills Every Entrepreneur Must Master

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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!



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5 Freelance Tech Tips – Help Grow your Success as a Solopreneur

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Being a solopreneur means being a true boss. But it doesn’t have to mean going it alone one hundred percent of the time. After all, even bosses need help every once in a while. Wondering what type of tech or help could boost your business?  Then check out these tips from Keetria.

Accounting and Taxes 

Your money is one area where DIY savings just aren’t worth the risk. If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, having accounting help is even more imperative. You may need to set up estimated tax payments. A freelance bookkeeper can also help you figure out whether setting up an LLC will benefit your business. Then you can proceed with the next steps. 

Virtual LLC Formation 

Thinking about forming an LLC for your small business? That’s a wise move since you will be afforded more protection for your finances. You’ll also be setting yourself up for more savings come tax time. On top of all of these perks, you can use an online service to fill out the paperwork, which will save you money, time, and hassle. Each state has its own regulations around LLC’s and formation steps, so check yours before you proceed. 

Online Meetups and Events 

Another way savvy entrepreneurs can use tech to grow their business is by putting together virtual meetups. This can be oh so helpful if you plan on launching a new business, product or service in the coming months since live events are still on hold. Drum up excitement around your virtual event by sharing details with your social networks. Then be sure to really listen and engage with participants to help them form a deeper connection with your business. 

PR and Marketing Services 

You can certainly create your own publicity to get people interested in whatever you’re selling. As already mentioned, you can use your social media accounts to attract new connections and cultivate an image that will have people begging for more. This can take some time and savvy though, so if your career begins to blossom, you may also want to consider reaching out for help. Check out freelance sites to find PR and marketing consultants or ask for recs from friends. 

Web Design Help 

DIY publicity is one thing, but a DIY website? Using free and discounted tools to build your own website will work in a pinch, but if you truly want to grow your image and become an authority in your industry, you need professional help. That help should come from a web designer who has the expertise and experience to create a custom website that is sleek and easy to use. It’s just too easy to make small mistakes that can cause your followers to run the other way. 

You’re a boss but that shouldn’t mean feeling burned out and busy every single day. Use this guide to get the help you need with tech and other projects. That way you can focus your time and energy on growing your reputation and small business. 

Author Bio: Courtney started gigspark.biz to be a resource and the first step for people who are looking to join the gig economy, either to supplement their income or as a way to fulfill their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.

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!

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How to Record a Podcast Remotely And Get It Right The First Time

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Remote interviews are a fact of life for every podcaster, and in today’s era of social distancing, more so than ever. Since you rarely get the chance at an interview do-over, nailing down your remote recording workflow is essential. We’ll show you how to prepare for and record a remote interview, so you get it right the first time — with some additional tips along the way to make sure all your bases are covered. 

Choose the right remote recording setup for your podcast

The first step is to determine the remote recording setup that best suits the format and content of your podcast and your production and editing workflow.

In most cases, your best solution will involve recording remote interviews on Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, or a similar online conferencing service. This low-friction setup makes it easy for guests or co-hosts to contribute, but you’ll need to make sure you have the right software to record these interviews.

It’s also wise to make sure you can record phone calls. Phone interviews don’t offer great audio fidelity, but they make a great backup option in case of technical problems or schedule changes. Phone interviews probably won’t be your first choice, but it’s a good idea to be able to record a phone call just in case you need to. 

If you’re recording with the same remote co-host on each episode of your podcast, consider a double-ender setup, in which you and your co-host record your own audio tracks locally and combine them in post-production. For most podcasters, this isn’t the most convenient solution, but it does translate into the highest audio fidelity for you and your co-host.

The best way to record an interview is to prepare for it

When it comes to interviewing — especially remote interviewing — a little preparation goes a long way.

Do some research into your guest’s background, expertise, and projects. Who are they? Why is their work notable? What do you (and in turn, your audience) hope to learn from them?

Putting together a rough outline of the questions you’d like to ask will come in very handy. Write down a handful of specific questions and key points, but keep your outline broad and high-level. That’ll allow you to more easily adapt to the flow of conversation.

Maintaining that conversational flow remotely can be substantially trickier than doing so person-to-person. Prime yourself to listen more than you speak — in particular, try not to interrupt your guest. Editing out awkward silences between speakers is much easier than dealing with too much crosstalk!

When it’s time to record the interview, take a couple final preparatory steps to ensure a clean recording. Close all unnecessary software and set your computer to “Do Not Disturb” mode to make sure unwanted distractions don’t pop up (or worse: end up in the recording).

How to record a Skype call, Zoom interview, or Google Hangout

For most remote recording situations, Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts are your platforms of choice. All three are easy to set up, simple for guests to use, and feature audio fidelity good enough for most podcasts. 

Both Zoom and Skype offer built-in call recording functionality, but Google Hangouts currently limits this offering to enterprise users. There’s an additional caveat: the file format (.MP4 or .M4A) that each platform outputs may not be what you want, depending on your podcast production and editing workflow.

For maximum control over your final product, you’re better off using third-party apps to record computer system audio directly into the recording software of your choice rather than relying on their recording functionality.

If you’re on a Mac, BlackHole is a great open-source tool that allows you to route audio between apps, which means you can record the audio output from Zoom (or Skype, or Google Hangouts) directly into your preferred recording software. On Windows, Virtual Audio Cable offers similar functionality. 

If you’re already using Descript to record, you won’t need to use additional audio routing software (currently limited to Mac users only, but coming soon for Windows). When recording audio into Descript, open the Record panel, choose Add a Track, select your input, and choose “Computer audio.” Click the Record button whenever you’re ready, and audio from Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts will be piped into Descript. 

No matter which remote recording setup you use, make sure you test it — and test it again — with a friend or colleague before you’re actually recording your podcast. Troubleshooting when you should be interviewing ranks near the top of everyone’s Least Favorite Things To Deal With, so make sure everything is in order before your guest is on the line.

How to record a phone interview with Google Voice

Social distancing means nearly everyone has gotten used to handling calls and meetings on Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts. But maybe your podcast guest is really old-school, or their computer is on the fritz, or maybe they’re simply only able to access a phone during your scheduled call time. It’s likely phone interviews will never be your first choice, but being able to record an old-fashioned phone call will come in handy.

Recording phone calls can be tricky, but using Google Voice to make an outgoing phone call from your computer means you can use the same remote recording setup detailed above to record the call.

Follow Google’s instructions to set up Google Voice and then learn how to make an outgoing call. Once everything’s set up, you’ll be able to record phone calls with Google Voice just like you’d record an interview on Zoom or Skype. 

Again, make sure to test with a friend and then test again before your interview. 

If lossless audio quality is a must, record a “double-ender”

For most remote recording situations, Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts are your platforms of choice. All three are easy to set up, simple for guests to use, and feature audio fidelity good enough for most podcasts. 

But if you have a remote co-host that regularly appears on your podcast, and you want to maximize the quality of your audio, a “double-ender” is the way to go: Each host or guest records themselves locally, and audio tracks are combined in post-production. For an additional cost, you can use third-party recording platforms that simulate double-enders without each speaker managing their own recording software.

A traditional double-ender sees each speaker recording their own audio track using their recording software of choice (Descript, Audacity, Quicktime, etc.), and then the host or editor combines each speaker’s recording into a finished product. Each speaker should have a decent microphone — if they’re using a laptop microphone to record, you probably won’t hear a substantial advantage with a double-ender over a Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts recording.

Alternatively, you can simulate a double-ender by using a platform like SquadCast, Zencastr, or Cleanfeed. These services record lossless audio from each speaker, upload each track to the cloud, and combine them automatically. These platforms cost money, but they’re a great alternative to a double-ender when guests or co-hosts don’t have the time or wherewithal to fiddle with recording themselves locally. Again, make sure each speaker has a decent microphone — otherwise you won’t reap the full benefits of lossless audio.

Make remote recording hassles a thing of the past

Recording your podcast remotely isn’t painless, but once you get the hang of it — and nail down your workflow — it’ll become second nature.

In the meantime, download Descript and give it a try. Not only will it streamline your remote recordings, but it might just change the way you think about podcasting and audio editing altogether. Give it a shot and see for yourself!

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!

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How Can Rappers Fulfill Their Dream of Producing Great Rap Music?

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Producing great rap music that captures the imagination of the masses is great for every budding rapper. Dreaming is great until the reality sets in. Your dream of producing great music cannot be achieved by merely visiting a recording studio, recording an album, releasing it on social media platforms, and waiting for a potential breakthrough. There is a lot more that you need to do if you want to outsmart others and be the star rapper. Here are a few things that will help you fulfill your dream of producing great rap music.

  • Know who your target audience is

You cannot compose a song if you don’t have a specific target audience. Know your target audience, whether it is youths or older adults, men or women, and create great rap music that they will resonate with. Composing songs that emotionally connect with your fans would be a great choice too. You should identify something that you have in common with your audience or a similar problem that you share with them and try to provide them with a solution through your lyrics.

  • Choose the right musical instrumentals

The rap beats of the song are the first thing that impresses the listeners. The beats and the message portrayed in the song determine whether it turns out to be a flop or a big hit. If you aspire to be a successful rapper, you must invest in quality beats and instrumentals. There are many websites online where you can buy beats and instrumentals produced by other rappers. Better instrumentals will lead to better music. So make sure you set aside a budget for instrumentals as it’ll pay off in the long run.

  • Create a social media presence

As a musician, creating a social media presence is something that you must prioritize. If you’re not utilizing social media, you are definitely missing out. Social media will allow you to connect with your loyal fans and have a better relationship with them, you can even ask them for ideas if they want to hear songs about something specific. Also, it is very easy to go viral on social media. If you can come up with the perfect rap songs, chances are you will find yourself trending worldwide.

  • Don’t underestimate the importance of lyrics

If there is one thing that separates great rappers from good rappers, then it is surely lyrics. Rappers who produced songs with great lyrics are considered great because their music stood the test of time while others who only concentrated on the beats fizzled out. You should aim at influencing your fans through your words and come up with masterpieces that will keep you relevant in the music industry for long.

  • Creativity is key

If you want to be a great rapper, being creative is key. You should be creative enough to outthink and outperform other rappers. You must come up with creative ideas that make you seem different than the rest. Think outside the box, be bold, and create suspense so that listeners pay more attention to the lyrics.

Introducing Gemtracks

Gemtracks is a marketplace started by singer, songwriter and producer, Jesse Neo. Jesse has been releasing music for several years and have even worked as a composer for several big YouTube channels. The aim of Gemtracks is to allow producers and artists to buy and sell beats, offer their services and book recording studios.

“Gemtracks has been going very well, lately!” Jesse told us. “Today, we have a lot of producers that have worked with big labels selling beats. These producers include Beowulf, IYFFE and Taylor Carroll.”

With Gemtracks, rappers can easily access cheap resources to make their musical career dreams come true. A frequently updated blog filled with informative tutorials is available on the website.

Connect and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gemtracks

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!

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