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the color of 2023 The Head of the Table

Nov 19, 2023

The Think In Color 2023 has officially been concluded! We're grateful and happy that you took the time to meet our presenters of outstanding women, and BIPOC creators and innovators in the field. We'd like to think that by the time you've finished the conference you're inspired by our speakers' stories and gained insights into how to create a successful virtual community, expand your offerings, and scale your enterprise in addition to other aspects.

Although a variety of topics were debated at the event We've tried our best to bring the highlights that caught the eye of. Find out what we learned from each presenter.

Skip ahead:

     Creating Cozy & Collaborative Virtual Communities    

Cicely Blain, an anti-racism specialist & Founder Bakau Consulting. Bakau Consulting

The description of the session is that, even though remote work was in existence before COVID-19, the pandemic made it more necessary for companies transitioning to a more virtual situation. As a result, those trying to keep an intimate relationship with their customers decided to set groups of like-minded people can be a resource for one another. However, it's difficult to make an online community as intimate like a physical one.

In this lecture, Cicely Blain shares their experiences of creating their web-based community, Living Room. The group discussed their method that used to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in a digital environment, making sure that their communities are safe and inclusive, and making use of the internet to cater to the needs of people.

 The main Takeaways

HTML0Be aware of who your target audience is and what they are seeking.

Prior to the creation of Living Room, Cicely had determine the target audience that they wanted to create an online environment to. As their goal is on the struggle against the oppression and racism that exists, Cicely knew that this group would be the main target for individuals such as DEI consultants, experts as well as HR professionals doing similar work.

And, Cicely had to figure out what the people actually desired.

"I thought about what people are anticipating, particularly at these critical time when a lot of issues are shifting and receiving different direction?

     The people are definitely looking for an atmosphere of belonging, a sense of solidarity and connections in times of isolation. People are also seeking ways to connect and learning."

Make your content an audience-friendly website.

One of the most effective methods of attracting new members to your community is to provide them with something they could connect with. For Cicely one thing that could be compared to was their living area. They sought to replicate the identical cozy and welcoming feel that their living space provided them with.

     "I thought, 'What do I want people to experience when they come into the space I wanted people to feel?' I thought: it's my wish for visitors to experience exactly as they do when they come into an actual space. It must be warm, comfortable and welcoming. I wanted them to feel at ease, content, secure as well as connected and seen."

Cicely imbibes this vibe into the community by:

  • Beginning each meeting by allowing 10 minutes for reflection. They ask a simple set of questions to the audience onscreen to assist attendees do some self-reflection.
  • A soft music playlist that is based on R&B to help people relax and ease into the conversation.
  • Every phone call should be treated as if they're having fun with their best buddies. When they're not filming videos for their online course, Cicely might be doing their make-up or making tea in the kitchen.

Provide a variety of ways for members of the community to get the information they require

The members of the community online are usually members with the same interests, they may possess different strengths, weaknesses, and needs. In your business, you'll need to find different methods to be able to meet the needs that your members have, despite the differences.

Along with Living Room, Cicely met the needs of its customers with:

  • Engaging in various methods (e.g. live forums, chat rooms or online classes that are comprehensive etc. );
  • Establishes the collective values and guidelines;
  • Allowing people to dress to look authentic
  • Removal of unnecessary stressors including time restrictions and agendas for meetings
  • Be aware of accessibility issues (e.g. disabilities and neurodivergence) such as neurodivergence, impairments.

Funnel Funds: Optimizing Sales Through Focused Funnel for Customers

Ellie Diop, Content and Coaching Coach for Funding at Ellievated Academy

Summary of session: In order to build a successful business, you need customers that will make a purchase or engage the services you offer. But, a lot of businesses make the mistake of creating content they believe the ideal customer will want, but not the customers really want. In this presentation, Ellie explains how you will increase sales and increase revenue by designing a funnel that attracts your most desirable customers, and is designed to meet the desires and requirements of those customers.

 Key takeaways:

Every piece of content has a role to play.

Making a funnel that is focused on the customers you serve is similar to establishing relationships with them. The best way to do this is creating content that is informative as well as useful, informative and useful for your customers. A funnel that is specifically designed for the user has five steps:

  • Awareness
  • Discovery
  • Inquiry
  • Conversion
  • Relationship + retention + REPEAT

Regarding the value of creating material, Ellie says, "Every item you produce is a member in your team selling. The content you've written in the past three months has been working to guide clients through this funnel... Be sure you're there each day with a consistent design creates a regular style for your customers to understand and help them navigate the process."

Let your name be heard

If you're not sure of who your products or services are marketed to, there's no chance that someone will make a purchase or engage using your offerings. So, prior to constructing an online marketing funnel, you must to clarify your brand's mission and goal, beginning with the most ideal client. You can ask yourself:

  • Who do I serve?
  • What can I do to help them to solve?
  • What do I need to know?

These answers will be the basis for every business decision. Ellie offers a basic model that can be used to assist [YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE] to meet [YOUR GOALby using your product or service.

Based on her experience with growing her business, Ellie says, "For myself, this may mean helping women to build profitable enterprises by teaching them how to plan and finance techniques. '... In the past I'd kept this on the form of a post-it in a corner, so every time I tried to record a video I knew exactly who I was talking about. "

 Make your social media followers

Social media is one of the most successful ways of establishing brand recognition and generate leads for your business. The outcomes are such that a large number of people will browse through your business's Instagram profile (or the other social media websites) prior to navigating to your website.

Hence, you need to invest your time (and possibly the money) to the content on your social media channels in order to make it more visible. The best way to accomplish that is by:

  • Engaging, informative, and easy to share information (especially video)
  • Ads that run paid
  • Collaboration with influencers who have the same target market as you

Make use of lead magnets to help build your email database

While you're producing videos or content, the goal is to get most people from social media to your email list. If you add people to your list of subscribers to emails, they're giving an opportunity for you to directly connect with them, which is more valuable than if they come across your posts and content when browsing across Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). Lead magnets are the place where they are valuable.

By using lead magnets, you're handing the value of your product for free for the exchange of contact details (usually the name of the person and their email address). But you can request other things as well. When she first started the business, Ellie offered free 1-on-1 sessions to clients as a reward for their reviews. Ellie used the testimonials she got to get her first batch of paid clients.

     "You've gotta look at what aspect I can provide top-quality, free services to make somebody happy? Make it your primary attraction. (In my own business) I've just introduced a brand new method of marketing that instead of direct customers to a particular product, we direct customers to take advantage of a complimentary offer such as the free masterclass. And then we'll sell it on the back end. Our sales have been phenomenal."

The method for staying in contact with existing customers more easily than acquiring new ones

Each new lead you receive, you must proceed through the steps to move them through the sales funnel. It is more challenging than convincing a customer to come back to you. So, concentrate on keeping of customers equally as, if not even more than getting new clients.

To keep your customers, here are some steps to follow:

  • Provide high-quality customer service
  • Use customer surveys to get feedback
  • Get testimonials from happy customer (offer incentives programs if you have the opportunity)
  • Create a secondary offering to fill any gaps in the market

On creating a second offering, Ellie shares, "I created my first business credit course with only 15 dollars. In the meantime I received feedback on what [my customersrequire next. Then I created my Business Credit revamped. Then I created my Business Credit masterclass, and later the complete package. This resulted in the majority of those who bought the first one purchased the second one to fill in the missing pieces. Then, they purchased the third one because as they grew in knowledge, they needed more."

Expanding both B2C and B2B Companies to generate multiple revenue streams

Jessica Chen, Global Communications Expert and CEO of Soulcast Media

Session description: Businesses generally, they are based on three main sales and revenue determinants that include their offerings and services, their content that they create to describe their products and offerings, and the media they utilize to distribute that content. In this talk, Jessica discusses the power of LinkedIn in helping businesses reach out to customers (B2C) as well as other companies (B2B) How to craft your content to speak to both types of audiences and how to increase your services and offerings for both audiences.

 LinkedIn is an efficient platform for distributing information and increase your reach.

While many professional and business owners have profiles on LinkedIn but they do not consider LinkedIn as a platform where you can increase your reach and publish contents. Instead, they view it as an opportunity to enhance resumes, finding new possibilities and connecting with those you already know.

In reality, LinkedIn is a social media platform similar to Instagram or X (formerly Twitter), and is taken as the same. Only difference is the kind of content you publish.

In regards to LinkedIn's popularity, Jessica says, "The appeal of LinkedIn is this it reaches a certain segment of the population that is engaged in the process of professional growth and a keenness to expand. "

Jessica also explains her journey beginning with her experiences as a reporter in 2018, and then becoming a certified Top Voice and a LinkedIn instructor within five years. What she is describing is that she stays consistent on the platform as well as communicating with different people who can benefit by her services: assisting users improve their communication abilities.

Modify your message to accommodate B2C and B2B readers.

Many business owners believe that they will only be able to gain attention by restricting their content to consumers on a personal basis. It's not the case.

The benefit of LinkedIn is the fact that it permits the user to alter their content attract the B2B as well as B2C audience. The content itself does not have to be altered However, changing the language you use to describe your business can increase your exposure and help you attract individuals and businesses.

"I am finding that if I want to speak to my B2C customers, I would rather use words that include 'you "'your' and 'have you ever thought of ...?'""you"?" Says Jessica. "My style of speaking is clear, so people who read the content feels like they are reading something personal.

     "[With the B2B marketinstead of using 'you' and "your" I'm now presenting my message with terms like"the team" and "the company". This is more appealing and less personal]."

HTML0 Be known as a thought-leader in order to appeal to B2B audiences

In contrast to individual buyers who need a good item, B2B customers are looking to make sure they're receiving top quality. To get their attention it is essential to make yourself known as an expert or thought-leader in your area, even if the product you sell is targeted at B2C customers.

In the case of an artist, you could design and launch a photography course for the B2C audience. However, to gain B2B leads, you can produce thought-provoking content that focuses on the field of arts or how to build a successful career by being an artist. If you offer one-on-one training that teach people how to boost their productivity and efficient, you could appeal to B2B customers by releasing articles about improving productivity in the work place.

This way, you can begin offering B2C products like online courses, one-on-one classes or offering speaking engagements and workshops.

Building a Personal Brand that is Visible through Video

XayLi Barclay Expert and Visual Content Coach with Start Shoot Develop

Description of the event The session's description doesn't it seem easy to be viewed as unimportant, particularly the case if you're in a saturated marketplace or operate in a highly competitive industry. But you can overcome the impression by building your personal brand through videos, whether it's shorter TikTok clips, Instagram Reels, or long-form YouTube videos. In this presentation, XayLi explains how you could use videos to help advertise your online course to increase sales and solidify the image of your business to clients.

It's not a lot to start with

If you're creating the first video of your career or your debut livestream, you do not have to be flawless. Begin with footage that you already have. Beginning, people can ignore your low quality video as well as your editing abilities since they are aware that with time you'll get better.

XayLi herself started her journey working with a laptop, basic white background along with a cheap ring light.

"This is the place where I got my start and even got approached to become one of their experts" she declares. "I didn't wait around until I was in the space set up in the newsroom for my initial course to instruct the people. I used my equipment since I realized that the things I wanted to share wasn't only around the amazing setup that yours could be.

Today, I'm working with a built-in studio in my home However, this is the place where I made my first foray into HTML0 some time ago. "

Additional resources will be accessible as you progress

When you see more attention with your videos and begin earning money It's the time to upgrade the equipment you have and upgrading your camera equipment. For instance, you can you can purchase a more expensive camera or webcam, a tripod stand (worth between $500 and $1,000) and a green-screen or the eCamm Live and a teleprompter application along with you can also purchase the Adobe Premiere subscription for editing.

In terms of the latest equipment and setting upgrades XayLi declares, "[At this stage], you can have multiple camera angles. The range of possibilities is endless. You can start investing into such things as you're earning money. A lot of us think that it's crucial to look good prior to cash coming into. No. You have to enter the market and will get the cash."

After you've earned enough cash, you may transfer your editing of video recordings as well as distribution and recording to contractors, or even an internal team.

Be attentive to just one thing at a

The common perception is that you must take every step to grow your company: publish on every channel take advantage of each trend and then speak about various topics. But this isn't necessarily accurate. It's best to focus on one thing in a row as you create your branding. This will keep the energy levels from going overboard, but also let your viewers know what they can look forward to every time you upload videos.

In accordance with XayLi Barclay's "Rule of 5 Ones" Five elements you should think about when establishing your digital strategy:

  • One service or product
  • One market to target
  • One tool to convert leads
  • Most important source of traffic
  • One objective for business

Memberships -- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Teri Ijeoma founder of Trade & Travel

Summary of the session: When implemented correctly, memberships are an effective way for business to establish stronger connections with their clients as well as generate extra income. Teri Ijeoma has created the membership program that she developed which focuses on Trade & Travel and she is currently hosting more than 35,000 people taking classes and over 185,000 people who are on her mailing list. In this talk, Teri shares the benefits when establishing a membership program membership, and explains how businesses are able to set up and manage memberships in a way that is efficient.

Know when to transition from a group that is free to a paid membership model

If you're not an established business, then you'll have to start your own membership scheme, offering worth for nothing. Teri began her membership program by establishing an online Facebook group that is free. However, as you grow your community, it's crucial to know the time to move from a no-cost community towards a model that is based on membership.

Here are the signs you need to be looking out for prior to beginning your turn:

  • Your group is growing in size but members only have to pay a fee annually to be eligible for the offerin contrast to having to pay to receive the other benefits your organization offers, e.g. year-long customer support, etc.
  • Group members start their independent groups, also known as sub-groups. This makes it difficult to oversee the group administration.
  • The group is hiring moderators, or coaches who provide consultation to members of your group. There is no additional revenue generated from the members.

 Your Membership program is an item in its own

Some companies who create online courses also create subscription plans to add to those classes. While a membership program is an effective means of making your class better-looking, you must think of it as a product that is not simply the result of a marketing gimmick.

Speaking about the benefits that come with the benefits of her Trade & Travel membership, Teri recognizes "In my early stages, I thought it was a continuation of my studies. But that's not true -The membership is a product all by itself. It must have an own marketing department, promotional and marketing plan... It's best to consider it an individual product."

You must be informed of the price you will pay.

If you're transitioning from a free organization to a paid-membership model, think about your goals for income and set your price according to the goals you have set. In this point, it's easy to set the price lower to get more members. But if you're sure that your program has the highest quality do not hesitate to decide on an additional price.

If, for instance, your goal is to earn an annual income of $10,000 It's more beneficial for 500 individuals to spend $200 per month rather than 1,000 individuals who contribute $100 each month. In reality, the more high your rates are, the fewer people would join. This means that you'll be able to meet your earnings goals more quickly, and find it easier to control your program.

Head of the Table Panel Discussion

Diandra Marizet (Host) Executive Director and Co-founder of Intersectional Environmentalist

Description of the session This panel discussion be a showcase for panelists Cicely, Ellie, Jessica Cicely and Jessica XayLi. They will share their thoughts on the importance of diversity and representation in the business world, challenges women and BIPOC business owners confront as they become creators and entrepreneurs, as well as how to price their products ethically in the capitalist market.

Here are some of the more poignant and important concerns and questions in this debate:

     A lot of women entrepreneurs, especially those from minority groups, are coming into financial security for the first time. What are the new issues, challenges, and opportunities do they face in the near future?

Ellie Diop: Just like the trauma of poverty and the trauma of wealth, too. If you're one of the few within your family who owns the 6- to 7-figure company, there's not a lot of instances to emulate. It's hard to make people comfortable talking about money, especially when it comes to someone of color who earns much more than the vast majority of people in their lives.

In the example above, once I earned my first million dollars, I was frightened to leave the house my mother was living in. I wasn't ready to commit on the purchase due to my uncertainty about what to do in the event that it went away. Also, I was afraid of telling my family members because I was worried they'd be influenced by my personality.

One thing I'd like to see more of is collaborative areas like this, which could eliminate the stigma of being the victim, and instead say "Hey there's something happening? If you're anxious about earning funds and deciding how you will use the money you earn, don't be unwilling to speak about it". This stigma is a reason why many earn quite a bit of money, only to go back to where they began.

     In corporate environments, it's easy to feel the pressure to assimilate codeswitch, remain silent, or even put some aspects of our personality away. There are times when it is difficult to imagine that we conform to the notion of professionalism. Did that experience influence the way you interact with your local community? How do you apply that experience to the liberating work you do as an DEI professional?

Cicely Blain says: It is in the media systems that we grew up in, and where we are seeing a certain type of person represented on TV, media, as well as on social media as well as when certain creators on the internet get traction as others get snubbed from shadows, it is easy thinking that one must follow a certain way of being and speaking.

If you can locate a space in which you're recognized as the person you are to those around you, and others in the authority (even in the event that they're not going through the same issues as you) can be truly an empowering experience. However, even as there is a growing number of people represented and there are more chances available but there's a double standard in what we have to be doing. It's common for us to internalize the two standards (even in the event that they are not true) which can be detrimental to us.

As an example, on TikTok there's a large number of people who aren't dressed in a professional manner all every day. Though it's great however, it seems like this possibility is limited to some people who have an expectation higher of themselves and the way they represent themselves.

 If you are faced with the decision that your current path does not match with where your capabilities are as well as what your ultimate goal could be, then take the next step towards transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship?

Jessica Chen: All of us will reach a point that we realize that the goal you set for yourself was achieved, and now we're ready to try some fresh opportunities. Myself, I was in an extremely good job which I loved, but after 10 years of working, I felt like there was more to give. My personality has always been one that has my own way of life. When I thought about it, I wondered how I could pass on the lessons I've learned.

My first position was journalist, which you might you consider to be a "proper" occupation in which you aren't able to speak your mind or to be yourself and you're simply telling others' tales. It was a difficult transition to start creating my own voice and showing my own personal style. This was definitely a growing process.

     How can you price your products or services so that you can attract people that share your beliefs and are willing to learn lessons from you, and recognize the worth of your product or service offer?

XayLi Barclay It's true that a lot of the time we set prices low however, we could overwhelm investors who invest in turn which is a disgrace for investors. One might believe that you'll get a lot of customers if you're priced inexpensively, but the reality is you're attracting over-excited investors who don't have the time to make a decision.

I hired a business coach for my venture to find out the amount I would earn which then determined my price based on the volume. It is common for creators to create an online course for $7 and earn 6-figures off from their product but don't have enough volume. If you're a smaller-scale creator, you must be aware of what you wish to achieve as a company and set the prices based on what you want to achieve.

If I provide 5 online classes at $1,000 for each one, I'll earn $5,000. This is in contrast to offering 500 courses for $10 per course. Consider it this way. This is the procedure I was forced to go through.

Take a look at the Think In Color 2023 session on-demand

And there you have it an summary of the top knowledge that was gathered from this event lasting three hours to help budding and experienced entrepreneurs in the creator economy. We would like to invite you to delve deep into the subjects which have caught your attention.

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