Biz Bestie

Do you have a business bestie?!?

A biz bestie is your business' best friend. A friend that's also in business. Maybe you two are in the same field or maybe not. That's not required. Whatever works for the two of you.

You have each other's backs.

You share resources.

Listen and encourage each other often.

This person is  your sense of reason, the one you bounce ideas off of, your business’ ride or die.

She has you and your biz’ best interest in mind. She wants to see you win just as bad as she wants to win.

Being a solopreneur is not as sexy as most of us portray.

She knows some of the hardships that you may be going through and if she doesn't know exactly because you may be in different industries, she can definitely empathize because she knows business.

You may already have a biz bestie amongst your friends.

My biz bestie is actually my bestie. We aren't much of accountability partners. That just means we need accountable partners. She actually has one that turned in to her biz bestie.

If you don't know have a biz bestie yet, you must be thinking this sounds like a GOD send. And baby, she is! Wait until you find yours.

Just as with your ordinary bestie, you want the relationship to grow naturally.

If you're in need of a biz bestie: go to local networking events and become a networking ninja!

Make genuine connections with people. Are you gravitating to a certain person and not for the purpose of what can they do for me? Operate from the space of: this lady is awesome, I'd like to know more about her.

View fullsize

Network online.

Join Facebook groups of like minded people. Is there someone you resonate with?

Befriend them on Facebook, check their stuff out. Talk to them. Cultivate a relationship through simple communication.

Hell, just ask!

I'm quick to say, hey! I love what you're doing, let's connect! Do I turn them into biz besties no, but if another were to materialize, I would be okay with it.

I always make note of people who I think are pretty awesome.

Then I note are they really awesome or is it an act?

If there were a market for finding frauds I would be top on that list on who to call and find out about someone.

If I still want to get to know the person then I do. Developing relationships will always be one of the best things for your business. And not just for the customers you want to attract.

If you're the smartest person in the room, you're definitely in the wrong room.

Live. Love. Action

1. Join a biz Facebook group today. If you're already in one add someone to your personal Facebook, you know the person that you talk to already and want to build on that relationship.

2. Be a good friend to them. No strings attached. See something that would interest them: maybe an article related to their biz or something they posted about. Send it to them.

3. Smile. You're beautiful! The world needs more people like you.

Werk Wednesdays Series: Instagram Hashtags

Hashtags are awesome for growing your Instagram account. Hashtags only work if your account is public. 

Hashtags are associated with spammers. 

Aka #followforfollow or come to my site for XYZ

Use hashtags to find dope accounts and for even doper people to find all your awesomeness.

Use relative hashtags to what you're posting.

Some people use popular & unrelated hashtags thinking that will work. That usually just annoys people. Rule #1 online: don't be anonying yo!

Instagram will allow you to use 30 hashtags. That's a lot so get creative so your ideal person can find you.

There's a science to selecting hashtags. It can be time consuming but the rewards are worth it.

Hashtag # needs to be in the range xxx,xxx. You want to choose a hashtag that people are interested in and searching on a regular basis, but it isn't overly saturated. Popular hashtags are usually in the range xxx,xxx,xxx and above. Your picture will be lost in seconds. 60 million photos are uploaded to instagram daily.  

Look below to see how to select a hashtag based upon the numbers:

See how many people are using happy

changing the wording the numbers are decreasing but still too large

And even though the spelling is way off this hashtag would be perfect for happy posts. 

I used to use #kimberleeonline but no one cares about that tag. Let's be real. However on my other account: #blackgirlseatclean is a tag I created and others contribute. So think about that too when creating hashtags.

I save my hashtags centered around what I'm posting in my iphone’s notepad app. I mainly post inspirational posts surrounding going after your dreams and how to be the best person you can be. However, I also use fun hashtags like #hashtagkilla or #lameiknow If I have a local event, I'll use my area code as a hashtag and local cities. 

You can type http://instagram.com/yourscreenname [enter your screen name though] into a computer browser (mobile doesn't allow for copy + paste) and just copy hashtags that you’ve used before. You can paste on the new post if you want to use the same hashtags. Note: add some variety as you want to increase your reach so not the same people who searched the same hashtags earlier or yesterday…

Instagram also allows you to delete old hashtags and enter new ones on older posts. I'm not sure how effective this is or how many times it can be done. Test it and let me know. :) 

Hashtags aren’t the holy grail of instagram, but they definitely help. A like means nothing, you want to engage with your community. Ultimately you want the people you follow and those that follow you to essentially be a community.

Search hashtags and like pictures and comment. Commenting goes further than just liking. Remember some spammers just go through certain hashtags double tapping. Lames. Don't comment just for the sake of it. Comment if the pic resonated with you.

Post regularly (1-3 times a day) so they can continue to consume your content. Post things relevant to your biz or account. Review your stats with Iconosquare to track when the best times are for posting and engagements. 

Werk Wednesdays Series: Email Marketing

Last week I talked about the importance of an online business having their own website. Today, let's talk about mailing lists. Not mailing lists with addresses although if you want to send me something pretty or a sweet note, here's my PO box: Kimber Lee 1384 Norfolk, VA, 23501. 

Mailing lists for email marketing.

Marketing?!? Yep, you have to market your biz. Simply posting links and pictures on social media isn't enough, and honestly, that gets annoying.

Read Jab Jab Jab Right Hook for more on that.   

Every business should have the email addresses of their potential customers and previous customers. 

Why?!?

So you can communicate with them consistently and provide them with quality content. You know helpful blog posts, coupon codes and alerts on upcoming sales if you have products. 

Remember if the social media platform that you love disappears so will all those loyal fans/followers. 

Out of site out of mind. 

But when you have their email addresses, you can email them and let them know you're still around. 

I use mailchimp. I love the monkey. It has free and paid options. 

Then there’s  Aweber and GetResponse. Check the reviews. 

In the next few weeks, I'll talk more about email marketing, newsletters and opt-ins. But for now-go & get that email marketing tool!

Werk Wednesdays Series: Websites

I know this isn't rocket science, but I PROMISE I see this mistake daily. You are NOT an online business, if you don't have a website. Listen to the audio below for the importance of owning your own website. 

Let me know what tips or topics you would like to hear next week. Comment below or email me. 

Werk Wednesdays Series

Working online you learn the ins and outs of online business. That and the fact that I adore online biz. I read books, articles, listen to podcasts, and attend webinars all on business. Alot of people say the same things, but with their own spin. That's the beauty of the internets-adding your own spin. However, there are some things that are just classic and must have's/must do! 

On social media I see soooo many "no's" and "hunay who told you..." So instead of shaking my head at these occurences, I am offering some advice to the new online female entrepreneur. Audio + images + blog posts all designed to teach. It will be very simple things, that it would be assumed people know. However, post after post confirms...not everyone knows.