To grow your business you need to build your brand. Every business benefits from solid branding that makes them recognizable online and offline. While there are many things to consider when it comes to branding, staying consistent is the key. To do so, you need to define the six pillars of your small business branding. The post Defining Your Brand Pillars To Grow Your Business appeared first on Black Business Collective ..read more

When people ask me what drew me to my work as an executive coach, I just point them to my life history. As a guy who started out in the United States Army and is now a sports broadcaster (and dedicated fan), I’ve seen the magic that happens when a talented team truly comes together. I’ve also seen how the obstacles that hinder one individual can interfere with the momentum that would carry the whole team into the end zone. When it’s your home team, it hurts to fall short! It hurts worse when that challenged individual is the quarterback. And the hardest thing of all is to watch the quarterback ..read more

Unless you have unlimited resources, you need funding to get your business started. Many funders, investors, and grantors may be interested in supporting your small business. But you’re in charge of finding them! So get your Googling fingers ready and gather your determination. Learn from every interaction including the rejections. Don’t quit finding money for your business. Before you start asking, it’s very important to make a credible business plan. Most funding is directed only toward firms that relate to the business and interests of the funder. Therefore, you need to know what business y ..read more

Your brand is your identity. It’s what defines you and sets you apart from the competition. If you’re a small business owner, it may be difficult to create an effective brand without spending a lot of money on design. However, the basics don’t have to be pricey. Check out a few of our branding tips for entrepreneurs in this article! Create a versatile logo Your logo should work in a variety of mediums, not just on the web. Be creative with how it can be presented (think items like t-shirts or stickers) so that people will recognize who you are no matter the context. A lot of small businesses t ..read more

Your network is your net worth. Right now, there are more networking tools than ever, particularly through LinkedIn. Networking is a crucial part of the sales and marketing process, but it’s also important for developing meaningful connections personally. Let’s discuss how to use networking for small businesses as a way to strengthen your brand and build long-term customer relationships. Networking Networking and collaborating with other professionals in your industry helps you to build rapport and learn about their experiences. And when we collaborate on projects or seek advice from others, o ..read more

Recent findings from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal that ~50% of new businesses fail in the first year. Ineffective business plans affect this statistic. So, how can you counter this as an entrepreneur? You need to learn how to sell. Sales is an essential skill for entrepreneurs of any experience level or business size. This is from properly establishing your brand to selling yourself and your products. Your business success relies on your ability to sell. If you need help with the sales aspect of your business, read on for five practical sales tips for entrepreneurs.  Tip #1: K ..read more

When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re in business to make money. This means learning money management skills to handle the money you’ve got. The sooner you master this essential skill, the better your odds of surviving and thriving in the long term. In case you don’t feel expert in every area right now, don’t be discouraged. The best thing to do is keep learning! Money is always in motion. Start spending time with the numbers and you’ll develop an instinct for knowing what’s going on. Are your invoices up to date so all the money you’re owed is coming in? What bills do you owe and when? How much ..read more

When you’re starting out in business, the first fundamental skill you need is one you can’t see, taste, or touch. But you’ll need it throughout your career. It’s called mindset. The quality that enables you to “get your head in the game,” shut out distractions, and play to win. The entrepreneurial mindset propels you forward from that first moment when you decide to build a profit-making venture of your own. At that point, your friends might say you’re crazy. Let them! Many more will share and celebrate your business mindset, including our own organization, the Black Business Collective ..read more

Every entrepreneur knows sales is the one skill you can’t do without because sales is your business. It’s what brings you the money to keep creating your vision and making a difference in the world. You may be like many entrepreneurs who need to understand sales tips for small businesses. If you’ve never tried sales, you might be a little apprehensive because you associate the sales conversation with negative experiences you’ve had in the past. Don’t worry. You and your business can enter the sales conversation with integrity, with confidence that your sales offer will make a positive differen ..read more

Marketing is one business fundamental that isn’t always clear to beginners, because…What is marketing exactly? And how is it different from sales? We’re asked these questions all the time at the Black Business Collective, so we’re always happy to address them. Sales is a straightforward process in itself and only includes the interactions in which you are getting your prospective customer to say “Yes.” Marketing is much harder to define because marketing is anything and everything you do to bring your product or service to your customer’s attention. And for you, as a small business owner, mark ..read more