Sharvette Mitchell
Marketing

Do you have a marketing problem or a fear problem?

Today, we’re diving headfirst into a topic that’s been buzzing around in our community: Do you have a marketing problem, or is it actually a fear problem? Let’s unravel this together and get to the bottom of what’s really holding your business back.

First off, let’s talk about fear. Yep, that sneaky little gremlin that loves to pop up just when you’re about to hit “post” on your latest campaign. Fear can show up in many forms—procrastination being one of the biggest culprits. Ever find yourself delaying that product launch until the website is “perfect”? Yep, that’s fear lurking behind the scenes. Perfectionism often masks a deeper fear of failure or rejection. Let’s get real: nothing will ever be 100% perfect. So, why not embrace the imperfections and let your audience see the real, authentic you?

Now, let’s move on to our personality types. Introverts, I’m looking at you! Marketing activities can indeed feel like a nightmare for those who’d rather stay in the background. But here’s the kicker: you don’t have to change who you are to succeed in marketing. Pre-recorded videos, email marketing, and content creation are all avenues where you can excel without feeling like you’re in the spotlight. It’s all about finding what works for you and playing to your strengths.

Imposter syndrome is another heavy hitter. That nagging voice telling you that you’re not as good as others think you are? Yeah, it’s a liar. Many of us struggle with this, but here’s a little secret: even the most successful entrepreneurs have moments of doubt. The key is to push through and keep putting your ideas out there. The world needs what you have to offer, imperfections and all.

Alright, let’s flip the coin and talk about genuine marketing issues. One major pitfall is not giving your campaigns enough time. Just like a good chili needs time to marinate in a crockpot, your marketing strategies need time to simmer and reach your audience. Launching something and expecting instant results is a recipe for disappointment. Patience, my friends, is key.

Another common issue is not diversifying your marketing efforts. Relying solely on one platform or method can limit your reach. Mix it up! Combine email marketing (which is gold, by the way) with social media, video content, and even offline strategies. The more touchpoints you create, the better your chances of connecting with your ideal customer.

Finally, let’s not forget the importance of speaking directly to your ideal client. If your message isn’t resonating, it might be a sign that you need to refine your copy or better define your target audience. Make sure your marketing speaks their language and addresses their pain points. When your audience feels understood, they’re more likely to engage with your brand.

So, there you have it! Whether it’s fear or a genuine marketing hiccup, identifying the root cause is the first step to overcoming it. Embrace your imperfections, diversify your strategies, and give your campaigns the time they need to work their magic. Remember, the world needs your unique voice and offering, so don’t let fear hold you back!

Sharvette Mitchell
Marketing

Roadmap to making sales simpler, more human, and ultimately more successful.

Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels with social media posts, fancy sales pages, and endless prep work, but not seeing the results you crave? It’s time to simplify and shift your approach. Here’s a breakdown of how to make your sales process more effective, less stressful, and downright enjoyable.

First things first, let’s talk about social media posts. You’ve probably heard that content is king, but not all content is created equal. The secret sauce lies in simplicity. Start with easy, engaging posts like Facebook background posts or straightforward offers. For example, a post like, “If I could help you get more clients next month, would you want to chat?” can work wonders. It’s low-pressure and invites interaction without overwhelming your audience.

Now, let’s dive into the art of storytelling. Vulnerable posts are gold, but remember, it’s not about spilling your entire life story. Instead, use your experiences to mirror your audience’s struggles and dreams. This kind of post isn’t just about you – it’s a reflection of your clients’ journey, making them feel seen and understood. Share your challenges, your turning points, and the solutions that worked for you. This builds connection and trust, setting the stage for a meaningful conversation.

Problem scenario posts are another powerful tool. These posts grab attention by addressing common pain points directly, like “Why you can’t lose weight even though you’ve tried every diet out there.” Present the problem, explain why their current methods aren’t working, and introduce a belief shift that aligns with the solution you offer. It’s a great way to position yourself as the go-to expert who truly gets their struggles.

Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of launching? Let’s reframe that. A launch doesn’t have to be a massive, stress-inducing event. Instead, think of it as a fun and breezy process. You likely have a treasure trove of content already created – freebies, video trainings, Google Docs, you name it. Take inventory, see what fits together, and voila! You’ve got a program. Then, just start talking about it everywhere – no fancy sales pages needed.

And what if your launch doesn’t hit the mark? No biggie. It’s all part of the learning process. Evaluate what’s not working – is it the messaging, the audience, or the price? Tweak and try again. Sometimes, simply extending your campaign and reaching out to new people can make all the difference. Remember, it’s about testing, learning, and adjusting.

When it comes to closing the deal, DM conversations can be your best friend. But ditch the sleaze – keep it genuine and pressure-free. Start by acknowledging their interest and asking about their current challenges. This pre-qualification step not only warms them up but also ensures you’re on the same page. If they’re ready to take the next step, great! If not, offer valuable resources and keep the door open for future interactions.

So, there you have it – a roadmap to making sales simpler, more human, and ultimately more successful. By focusing on connection, clarity, and consistency, you’ll not only boost your sales but also build a loyal community of clients who feel truly supported by you.

Sharvette Mitchell
Marketing

How your fear of the spotlight is keeping your business invisible.

In the world of entrepreneurship, the fear of the spotlight can often hold us back from achieving our full potential. This fear can manifest in various ways, from hesitating to put ourselves out there to shying away from opportunities that could propel our businesses forward. However, as I shared in a past live stream, overcoming this fear is crucial for making our businesses visible and successful.

My journey began over a decade ago, sitting at a friend’s kitchen table, offering to help with marketing for her new business. Little did I know that this simple gesture would spark the beginning of my own entrepreneurial path. From starting a web design business to transitioning into coaching high-achieving women entrepreneurs, my story is a testament to the power of stepping out of our comfort zones.

Pivotal moment

One pivotal moment in my journey was hosting my first event, where only two people showed up. Despite feelings of shame and fear, I pushed through and was rewarded with unexpected opportunities. This experience taught me the importance of facing our fears head-on and not letting setbacks define our path. It’s a reminder that sometimes, our biggest breakthroughs come after our most challenging moments.

As I navigated through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, I realized the significance of having a cohesive brand and a strong community. By aligning my marketing efforts with my brand and creating a supportive community, I was able to establish myself as a leader in my industry. This underscores the importance of clarity and consistency in building a successful business presence.

In conclusion, my journey (which continues to unfold) serves as a valuable lesson on overcoming the fear of the spotlight in business. By embracing clarity, confidence, and consistency, we can step out in front of our brands and make them visible to the world. As entrepreneurs, it’s essential to remember that the spotlight is not something to be feared but embraced as a tool for growth and success. So, take a cue from my story and shine brightly in our entrepreneurial endeavors!

Conference

Check out our Summit Mobile App!

We are excited to share that our mobile app is up and running for The Platform Builder® Summit! This feature was a hit with our last conference and so we brought it back!

Download the app  – CLICK HERE

You will be able to see the full program and schedule at your finger tips under the second icon, “Program”. From the Program tab, you can select the day you want to view from the top of screen and then click on the sessions and see the speakers and session descriptions.

Under the third icon, “Feed”, you will see posts from the Summit team AND you can make a post also.  There is not a comment feature but there is a “like” feature.

Under the fourth icon, “Networking”, you will be able to connect with Summit attendees that also download the app.

*The mobile app is optional but a great way to have up-to-the-minute details of our schedule. The schedule is still available here on our main website and also here: CLICK HERE.

Feel free to delete the app after the Summit!

Sharvette Mitchell

Marketing

Feel Confident to Market Your Business

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the idea of marketing your business? Maybe you find yourself procrastinating or doubting if your efforts will yield results.

The truth is, having confidence in marketing your business is key to reaching its full potential. Believe in yourself and take action! Here are a few things you can do to feel ready and confident in promoting your business:

1. Set goals. Sit down and think about what kind of success you want to achieve. This will give you something concrete to work towards and fill you with purpose.

2. Ask for help. From family and friends to online communities and business mentors, there’s no shortage of support available. Don’t be afraid to reach out!

3. Have a plan. Break your goals into manageable tasks and create a timeline to help you stay on track. Preparation increases confidence…

4. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Marketing is about testing. Try new strategies and make changes as needed. Adapting to the ever changing market is crucial.

5. Celebrate your successes. This is an important one! Celebrating every milestone will help build your confidence and keep you motivated. Feel free to celebrate your wins in our Facebook community- Marketing Tips with Sharvette!

Reaching success requires time and effort but with a bit of confidence and the right techniques, you can make it happen. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back – Step out and take it on!

brandingBusiness

5 Steps to build your audience

1. Start with an audience analysis: identify who your target audience is and what their interests, needs and values are.

2. Develop a strategic approach to growing your audience. This should include content that resonates with your target audience, two-way engagement (responding to comments, questions, and reviews), leveraging relationships with influencers, and leveraging paid ads.

3. Share your content on social media across all channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. Experiment with copy, images, and video to see what resonates best.

4. Monitor the progress and results of your efforts, and use data to refine and improve your strategy over time.

5. Track and analyze your progress, using analytics tools to get a deeper look!

 

Sharvette Mitchell
brandingMarketing

Where should entrepreneurs start with marketing?

Start with a marketing plan! A marketing plan is needed for a number of reasons. It provides a roadmap for the success of a business’s marketing strategies and objectives. It focuses resources on what’s needed to reach desired goals, and examines the organization’s current environment, targeting potential opportunities and challenges from competition and other factors.

It also outlines strategies to measure the success of the marketing efforts and review/modify as needed.

1. Understand Your Audience: First, entrepreneurs should focus their efforts on understanding their target customers. What needs to be learned about them in terms of pain points, interests, demographics, etc.?

2. Set Goals: Having clearly defined marketing objectives will make all future marketing efforts easier to track, measure, and adjust as needed.

3. Establish or Optimize Your Online Presence: Most small businesses today should begin by optimizing their presence online, setting up social media accounts, optimizing their website for SEO, and creating blog posts.  Assignment: GOOGLE yourself and your business. Any surprises?

4. Leverage Content Marketing:  Social media content, Video content, podcast content and email marketing are powerful tools for driving awareness and leads, and entrepreneurs should take full advantage of them.

Grab our free marketing planner at www.mymarketingplan.biz

Sharvette Mitchell
Conference

10 Things to Prepare Before Attending a Conference

By Deborah Shane: I’m starting a time of year when I will be travelling to key conferences that I’m really looking forward to attending. I have learned over the years that preparation, organization and flexibility greatly enhance my conference time and experience.

Conferences can be very productive and fun or totally overwhelming and a drain depending on those factors. The investment of time, travel and energy required to go to conferences, makes it more important to be prepared before you go so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute or worse yet – while you are there.

The 21st century conference attendee has a lot more technology, social media and content options that can be used to share and highlight their experience and their takeaways. The rule of thumb is

  • Prepare
  • Be flexible
  • Enjoy
  • Follow up

Below are 10 things to prepare before attending a conference that can help you get the most out of your commitment and experience.

What to do Before Attending a Conference

1) Mindset, Attitude, Energy

It’s important to tie up loose ends, finish tasks, projects and deadlines so that you can go away clear minded and caught up. Whatever can wait until you return, let it wait.

Focus on looking forward to the event, meeting people and being positive and accessible. Read some positive and motivational content and download an app or take some with you.

Your frame of mind and heart can set you up to have an awesome time and be someone awesome to meet. Smile, be pleasant, be polite and show your enjoyment.

2) Documents, Schedule, Sessions

Gather all your travel documents, airline confirmation numbers and flight itinerary and have it all accessible. Get a good picture of your overall travel needs and experience. There are several travel apps that help you organize this on your smart phone including TripitTripCase and GateGuru.

In addition, there are apps that offer city guides, things to do and see, restaurants, special events, and connectivity apps to connect you with people and sessions at the conference. These are all very helpful and fairly simple.

3) Meeting Specific People

The whole point of going to certain conferences is the chance to meet colleagues, speakers or presenters you follow, engage with and that influence you. Don’t forget why they should want to meet you, too.

Be confident in your expertise, know their background, current activity, books, so that you can create good conversations. Google people you want to meet, visit their blogs, websites, social media and learn as much as you can about them.

4) Cards, Handouts, Branding Statement

Have a current simple, but branded, card with your contact info and logo and make use of both sides. When we make impressions with people, a business card will have more meaning after. It’s a marketing tool.

Make sure you prepare your “professional branding statement” when someone asks, “What do you do?” One sentence that opens the door and offers them something they can remember about you.

5) Opening Questions, Conversation Starters, Chit Chat

Prepare some ice breaker questions, or statements that can establish commonality or a personal connection. Is this your first time at this conference? What was your favorite takeaway last year? What’s your biggest accomplishment so far this year?

6) Random Time

Build in some random, free, unexpected meeting people time. Truthfully, I have met some really cool people in bathrooms, airports, lines and lobby’s.

7) Social Media Strategy

Whatever the focus of the conference is should play into your social media strategy. Use LinkedIn to connect to people you meet. Use Twitter and Google+ to tell people who you have met and share a link to their work or website. Use Facebook to post great pictures and videos of you in action and the experience you are having.

8) Content Marketing Plan

What are the content marketing platforms and tools that you are known for and have the most activity on and results with?

Use your website to highlight people, sessions and ideas that resonated with you. Take lots of pictures of some of those “specific people” that you got to meet and some short form videos and put them up on Google+, YouTube and Facebook.

Use your social media strategically around the platforms used by the attendees and presenters.

9) Technology, Cords, Batteries

Do a full check list for all your technology, chargers, cords and batteries and make sure you have everything with you that you need to capture the moment and share it.

Pay attention to battery life on different devices that you use and be sure to recharge them when you see them getting low so you don’t miss capturing anything when the moment arrives. Most conferences have charging and power stations now.

10) Follow Up Plan

Sort out your cards and the connections you have made. I usually plan about 4 days after a conference to follow up with specific people I have met and include some specific things we talked about via email and phone.

Connect with them immediately on LinkedIn with a note about meeting them and any other primary social media they use. If people are in proximity, take the initiative to invite them to meet in person.

SOURCE: https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/04/what-to-do-before-attending-a-conference.html

Deborah Shane has been recognized as a Top 100 Small Business Champion, Top Small Business Podcast, Top 50 SMB Influencer on Twitter 2015 (Dunn and Bradstreet), personal branding strategist and a social media specialist. Deborah’s book “Career Transition: Make the Shift” is available through all major book sellers.

The opportunity to meet people in person at major industry conferences is golden. Be prepared, have fun and make the very most of it to make an impression, enhance relationships and create new ones.

brandingBusiness

Top 6 “Must Haves” for Your Personal Brand

Personal branding for female entrepreneurs is so important. Take Sharvette Mitchell: She has 25 years of working experience in corporate America, but now works as an online marketing strategist and brand consultant helping others build their own personal brands to supercharge their businesses.  A good product or service without a strong personal brand won’t get noticed. If it doesn’t get noticed, your voice won’t be heard and no one will benefit from what you have to offer. 

Here are Sharvette’s top 6 “must-haves” for your business brand: 

1. A Clear Brand Offering

What do you have that nobody else does? That’s not always an easy question, but you have to be able to provide an answer to succeed. Your product or service might not be that different from others on the market at first glance, but there is something that makes it totally unique, no matter what it is…

You. There’s no one else like you, so no matter what you’re offering, you can without a doubt bring something to the table that no one else can. 

Find the unique flavor, the essence of your brand, that makes it your brand. What do you offer? What problems do you solve? Be specific. Know your value by heart and be ready to tell it to anybody, anywhere. 

2. Visual Branding That Shines

Visual branding is like the suit you wear to your first interview. Whether they know it or not, images always create a powerful emotional response in people. Images are processed 600 times faster than text, which means they’ve already made a snap judgement before they’ve even had time to realize it. 

Take a good look at the images associated with your brand. That means: 

  • Color palettes
  • Logos
  • Website layout
  • Photographs
  • Font style and text sizes
  • Social Media graphics
  • Signatures on emails and business cards
  • Company brochures 

Every bit of it affects your customers’ emotional response, so leave nothing to chance. Powerful and consistent visual branding both online and offline shows attention to detail, which builds trust and recognition over time. 

3. A Unique Brand Voice

There’s a pattern here that’s starting to emerge if you’re paying attention: Don’t be boring. Keep cookie cutters in the kitchen and far away from your business. That goes double for your brand voice. 

Brand voice is your opportunity to tell, not just show, others what makes you unique. Your content marketing will potentially take many different forms depending on your business. You might use:

  • Social media sites like Instagram or Tiktok 
  • Video marketing on YouTube or other sites
  • Live-streaming on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Amazon Live
  • Email marketing‌

Essentially, wherever your customers spend their time, that’s where you need to be. One of the advantages of social media posts is that you can easily repurpose them into full-length blog posts that further illuminate your unique qualities. 

4. Public Speaking Events

People love doing business with those they know and respect, and cultivating your speaking acumen is one of the best ways to put yourself out there. Your speaking engagements can also be filmed and broadcast online, making it a spectacular source of networking and organic lead generation for your business. 

How to get started? Do it yourself and create your own opportunities. You’re not limited to your physical surroundings in this day and age. Take full advantage of the internet by hosting your own webinars, virtual summits, and live conferences to become a thought leader and recognized expert in your industry. 

5. A Media Presence‌

As with public speaking, it’s necessary here to take some initiative and create media opportunities yourself. There are three kinds of traditional media: regional, national, and international. Difficulty of access scales with the size of the expected audience, but don’t let that discourage you. As long as you have a relevant message and a desirable offering, you can find ways to get on camera, get behind the microphone, or get featured. 

Audience size matters, but also look for niche outlets and new media that speak to your industry. It’s a great way to build your authority and establish yourself as an in-demand thought leader. 

There’s a specific form of media presence that’s easy to forget about: podcasts. There’ll be more than 132 million podcast users in the United States by 2022. Find podcasts relevant to your niche and make arrangements with their hosts to be interviewed or start your own podcast.

6. A Published Book ‌

Few things build authority quite as naturally as publishing a book. Most people say they have a book in them, but actually putting your intellectual property into writing and featuring it on your website and on store shelves puts you a cut above the rest. 

While self-publishing, book collaborations and anthologies are an easier and more affordable book publishing option, make sure to hire a skilled editor to help you get the most out of your manuscript. If you can get yourself on high-trafficked platforms like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, it’ll increase your brand’s digital presence and give you well-earned bragging rights amid all your other marketing efforts. 

Ready to Get Started?

Personal branding can feel overwhelming, but there’s no need to go it alone. Mitchell Productions offers Sharvette’s Platform Builder Program, an intensive 12-month program for growing and maximizing your very own personal brand. Take the Personal Brand Quiz and find out where you are with your personal brand and get a few tips to help your brand propel forward! 

Sharvette Mitchell
Events

Here are three reasons why you should attend conferences and events…

Attending conferences and summits can be incredibly beneficial for women entrepreneurs for several reasons:

  1. Networking: Conferences and summits provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to network with other like-minded individuals, share their experiences, and build connections that can help them grow their businesses.
  2. Learning opportunities: These events often feature speakers and workshops on a range of topics related to entrepreneurship, such as marketing, finance, leadership, and innovation. Women entrepreneurs can learn from these experts and gain valuable insights that can help them succeed.
  3. Inspiration and motivation: Hearing from successful women entrepreneurs can be incredibly inspiring and motivating. Seeing other women who have overcome challenges and achieved success can give women entrepreneurs the confidence they need to keep pushing forward and pursuing their goals.
  4. Exposure to new ideas and trends: Conferences and summits can be great opportunities for women entrepreneurs to learn about new technologies, trends, and ideas that are shaping their industries. This can help them stay ahead of the curve and adapt their businesses to changing market conditions.
  5. Access to resources: Many conferences and summits have exhibitors and sponsors who offer products and services that can be beneficial to women entrepreneurs, such as software, financial services, and marketing tools. Attending these events can help women entrepreneurs discover new resources that can help them run their businesses more efficiently and effectively.

Overall, attending conferences and summits can be a valuable investment for women entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses, build connections, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in their industries.