Business

YouTube has entered the chat!

I saw a June 2025 Pew Research study showing that 84% of U.S. adults use YouTube …making it the most-used platform in the country. Facebook is next at 71%, Instagram at 50%, and TikTok at 37%.
Here’s the coaching moment:
If you’re not thinking about YouTube, you may be leaving visibility on the table.
And before you say, “Sharvette, I don’t have time for videos,” pause.
YouTube is not just long-form content anymore.
Here’s how to think about this strategically:
1. YouTube is a search engine.
People go there with intent. They are typing in problems and looking for answers. That means your expertise can live longer and work harder for you than a post that disappears in 24 hours.
2. You can repurpose what you’re already doing.
Your Facebook Lives.
Your Zoom trainings.
Your podcast episodes.
Your webinars.
Clip them. Upload them. Add searchable titles.
3. Authority grows faster on platforms where people “learn.”
Instagram is inspiration.
TikTok is discovery.
YouTube is education.
If you’re positioning yourself as an expert, coach, consultant, therapist, or speaker — education builds trust.
Now here’s your assignment (because you know I love action 😉):
👉 Go to YouTube and type in the main problem your ideal client has.
👉 Look at the videos that come up.
👉 Ask yourself: Could I teach this in my own voice?
Attention is on YouTube.

brandingMarketing

AI-Powered Personal Branding

Let’s be real, showing up consistently can feel like a full-time job. But guess what? With AI tools, you can create and brainstorm the elements that boost your personal brand…without burning out.

Here are five points to shift your mindset to an AI-Powered Personal Brand!

1️⃣Generate Endless Content Marketing Ideas That Align With Your Brand

Never stare at a blank screen again. AI can help you brainstorm content topics that match your expertise and audience needs. AI is also great at crafting hooks that stop the scroll.

Consistency is the #1 secret to building a strong personal brand, and if you are stuck on what content to create, that can hinder you. That is where AI comes in!

🔹 Fresh ideas = consistent visibility. The more relevant content you share, the more authority you build.

2️⃣Repurpose Content Like a Pro

One old video or blog post can become 10 pieces of content with the help of AI. Various AI tools can produce content for quotes, captions, carousels, reels, and even email newsletters from your videos or blogs.

🔹 Repurposing keeps you visible across platforms without creating content from scratch every time.

3️⃣Use AI to Prep for Speaking Engagements

AI can help you brainstorm signature talks, presentation outlines, create slide content, and even generate audience engagement questions for your next keynote or workshop.

🔹 Strong presentations position you as the expert and lead to more speaking invitations AND customers.

4️⃣Leverage AI to Attract Media Attention

From writing polished press releases to drafting pitch emails, AI can help you create professional, attention-grabbing content that gets you prepared for media outlets.

🔹 The right media feature builds instant credibility and visibility for your brand.

5️⃣ Personalize Without Losing Your Voice

AI isn’t here to replace your voice…it’s here to support it. Use AI for the draft, then add your unique style, stories, and personality. On the flipside, you can create your own content, such as blogs, emails, social media posts, and speaking notes, and let AI serve as the proofreader or editor. It is up to you!

🔹 Authenticity is still key, and your audience wants the authentic you. AI should help you… not erase 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!

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.

Marketing

Your Visual Branding Speaks Before You Do

Your visual branding is speaking—even before you say a word. In this podcast, I’m sharing 6 powerful talking points to help you understand the impact of your visual brand and how to make sure it aligns with the quality of your services.

From your brand colors and professional photography to your social media graphics and video content—every visual element tells a story.

Are yours attracting or confusing your ideal clients?

1️⃣ First Impressions Happen Before the First Word

🔹 Before anyone clicks, listens, or buys, they see. Your visual branding is already making a statement about your professionalism, confidence, and expertise.
Why it matters: Whether it’s your website, IG grid, or Zoom background, people are judging your brand presence instantly.


2️⃣ Your Brand Photos Are Your Stage

🔹 Stock photos don’t tell your story. Professional brand photography shows the real, polished YOU, and that builds trust faster. This is exactly why we do full brand photoshoots for clients in The Platform Builder® Program.
Why it matters: Personal photos convert higher than generic stock images.

People want to see the expert behind the message.


3️⃣Brand Colors influence perception

🔹 Your brand colors aren’t just cute—they communicate mood, tone, and vibe. Are yours attracting or confusing your ideal clients?
Why it matters: Colors influence perception. Your audience might feel drawn in or repelled, based on your brand color palette alone.


4️⃣ Consistency Builds Credibility

🔹 Whether someone sees your Reel, flyer, business card, or email signature, it should all feel like YOU. It should all feel like the same company.
Why it matters: Visual consistency makes you recognizable. The more consistent your brand looks, the more legit it feels.


5️⃣ Your Graphics Are Mini-Billboards

🔹 Each post, slide, or promo graphic is a chance to elevate your brand or distract from it. Sloppy and amateur graphics send the wrong message.
Why it matters: Clear, cohesive, and branded graphics position you and your service as a premium option, even before they read the caption.


6️⃣ Video Branding = Instant Connection

🔹 Video content lets people see you, hear you, and feel your energy. Pair it with strong visual branding and it becomes unforgettable.
Why it matters: Video builds trust 5x faster than static content. Add branding overlays, intro screens, and branded backgrounds to your videos for a polished touch.

What does your current visual brand say about your business?

The Platform Builder® Program is my signature 12 month group coaching program built for women entrepreneurs & leaders who are ready to position their expertise & services with a polished visual brand, increase visibility with speaking opportunities, build authority with a published book and convert more customers with content marketing. Learn more at https://myacademy.biz/platform/

brandingMarketing

6 Steps to Building a Personal Brand

If you want to attract more clients, land bigger opportunities, and position yourself as the go-to expert… you need a personal brand that stands out.

But where do you start? What actually matters?

Let’s break it all down:

1️⃣ Get Clear on Your Unique Brand Identity

🔹 Step: Define who you are, what you do, and who you serve.
🔹 Why? You can’t build a strong personal brand if you’re unclear about your message. Ask yourself:

  • What do I want to be known for?
  • What transformation do I provide for my audience?
  • What’s my unique approach or signature style?
    🔹 Pro Tip: Your personal brand is an amplification of YOU, not a copy of someone else!

2️⃣ Craft a Compelling Brand Story

🔹 Step: Share why you do what you do in a way that connects with your audience.
🔹 Why? People relate to stories, not just services. Your journey, challenges, experiences and breakthroughs make you relatable and memorable.
🔹 Pro Tip: Your audience should see themselves in your story—make it about them, not just you.

3️⃣ Establish Your Visual Brand Presence

🔹 Step: Create a consistent look and feel across platforms.
🔹 Why? Branding is about consistency in fonts, colors, imagery, and messaging so people recognize you instantly.
🔹 Pro Tip: Your face is your brand. Use high-quality brand photography (this is why we provide brand photoshoots for our Platform Builder clients) and video content to reinforce your presence.

4️⃣ Own Your Online Real Estate

🔹 Step: Build a strong digital footprint with a website, social media, media attention and professional profiles.
🔹 Why? If you’re serious about building a brand, you need a home base (website) and visibility across key platforms so that when people Google you, they find you.
🔹 Pro Tip: Optimize your bios and make sure people understand what you do and where to go to engage with you on your online real estate.

5️⃣ Show Up and Share Valuable Content

🔹 Step: Post content that educates, inspires, and engages your audience.
🔹 Why? A personal brand is about being known for something valuable.
🔹 Pro Tip: Focus on these three types of content:

  • Authority Content (tips, insights, industry expertise)
  • Engagement Content (behind the scenes, opinions, lifestyle)
  • Storytelling Content (client success, personal experiences)

6️⃣ Monetize and Leverage Your Brand

🔹 Step: Turn your visibility into opportunities, clients, and income.
🔹 Why? A strong personal brand attracts collaborations, speaking gigs, media features, and high-ticket clients.
🔹 Pro Tip: Leverage your brand to sell services, digital products, courses, coaching, or partnerships.


Which of these 6 steps do you need to focus on the most right now?

What’s holding you back from fully stepping into your personal brand?

Sharvette Mitchell
brandingMarketing

6 Mindset Shifts for Business Visibility

Here are six powerful mindset shifts for business visibility. We hope they resonate with you and help you step up your game in marketing and branding.

6 Mindset Shifts for Business Visibility

1️⃣ Visibility is a Responsibility, Not a Choice

🔹 Shift: Instead of thinking, “I don’t like putting myself out there,” embrace “It’s my duty to be seen so I can serve.”
🔹 Why? Your audience can’t buy from you if they don’t know you exist. You are the solution to someone’s problem—hiding doesn’t serve them.

2️⃣ Consistency Over Perfection

🔹 Shift: Instead of “I have to get everything perfect before I show up,” embrace “Showing up consistently is more important than showing up perfectly.”
🔹 Why? People trust brands that show up regularly. Perfection causes procrastination. Done is better than perfect!

3️⃣ Your Personal Brand is More Powerful than the Asthetics

🔹 Shift: Instead of “I need the perfect logo and website before I promote myself,” embrace “My face, voice, and story are my brand.”
🔹 Why? People connect with people, not just logos. Your audience wants to see and hear from YOU.

4️⃣ Selling is Serving

🔹 Shift: Instead of “I don’t want to feel pushy or salesy,” embrace “Selling is how I help more people.”
🔹 Why? If you believe in your product/service, you should feel excited to tell others about it! Sales = Solving Problems.

5️⃣ Visibility Brings Opportunities

🔹 Shift: Instead of “What if people judge me?” embrace “The right people will find me when I show up.”
🔹 Why? The more visible you are, the more doors open—media features, speaking gigs, brand collaborations, and clients!

6️⃣ Fear is a Sign You’re Playing Bigger

🔹 Shift: Instead of “I’m nervous to go live, post, or promote myself,” embrace “Feeling fear means I’m leveling up.”
🔹 Why? Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Every expert you admire started out scared!

 

Here is the video version of this blog post: https://youtu.be/I0th5feeeE8

We will have more conversations like this at The Platform Builder Summit! Register- CLICK HERE

Events

Reflecting on the 8th Annual Platform Builder® Summit: Collaborations, Pivots, and New Horizons

On November 8th and 9th, I had the pleasure of hosting our 8th annual Platform Builder® Summit – an all-VIP, exclusive gathering that, once again, proved the power of women entrepreneurs coming together. This year’s theme, “Collaborations and Pivots,” resonated with our audience, as we explored how strategic partnerships and adaptive thinking can fuel marketing, growth and revenue.

Held over two days at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, our summit brought together a dynamic mix of small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and visionaries ready to elevate their impact and platform. From strategic marketing insights to personal branding and the nuances of government contracting or non-profit success secrets, each session and speaker inspired action and meaningful mindset shifts.

Setting the Stage for Impactful Connections

From the moment attendees stepped into the venue, there was an undeniable vibe. We kicked off with a Millionaire Mindset session with Euronda Travis and transitioned to the Marketing State of the Union, where I shared the current consumer climate, the latest trends, and insights shaping marketing. This session set the tone for our summit, emphasizing the importance of staying attuned to market shifts while staying true to our unique brand values.

The rest of Day One was filled with empowering talks and workshops, including sessions on creating a powerful personal brand with Holly Byrd Miller and doing a dream storm with Jean Tillery. One key takeaway from Day One? Collaboration will boost your profits.

Day Two: Diving Deeper into Strategy and Growth

Day Two continued with a powerful lineup, including topics like scaling businesses with government contracts by Latasha Brooks, Power Dressing with Tanya Russell and nonprofit success strategies from Dr. Shantell Chambliss. The day continued with business spotlights on DeLinda Carter & Marcea Marsh. The Money Panel, featuring financial experts Shan-Nel D. Simmons, Dr. Tamara W. Dias, and Charese Chambers, brought practical advice on financial planning, money mindset, and tax planning.

The summit closed with reflections, takeaways, and a commitment to action. Every attendee left with a renewed vision for their business.

Our theme: Collaborations and Pivots

This year’s theme reflected our shared journey as entrepreneurs. Collaboration opens doors and expands our reach, while the ability to pivot allows us to adapt and thrive in change. Throughout the weekend, we heard stories of proof that building your platform works—testaments to what’s possible when business owners partner and remain open to new directions.

Thank You to Our Incredible Speakers and Guests

This summit was made extraordinary by each speaker and participant. The knowledge, experiences, and shared wisdom left an impact on everyone in attendance, myself included. Thank you to every guest who came ready to lean in, engage, and transform. And to my fantastic event team and all those who helped bring this summit to life—thank you for your excellence and dedication.

I am grateful for the journey of hosting The Platform Builder® Summit and look forward to the next steps to make more money.

Events

Congratulations to Dana Wilson of Hair Cares, Inc – 2024 The Platform Builder Award

During the 8th Annual Platform Builder Summit, Mitchell Productions awarded one of our clients the 2024 – The Platform Builder Award. Here is what Dana had to say:

“At The Platform Builder Summit – The VIP Experience, I had the humbling honor of receiving a Platform Builder Award. To say it was surreal would be an understatement. Every day, we work hard privately—pouring our hearts and energy into our dreams—and to have that effort recognized publicly was both unreal and deeply humbling.

I’ve always been drawn to wisdom, and it’s no surprise that many describe me as an old soul. There’s something so powerful about being in the presence of those who openly share their experiences to help others along their journeys. This award is a reminder of the value of being coachable and committed to growth.

A heartfelt thank you to Sharvette Mitchell for seeing my hard work and recognizing it in such a beautiful way. You make it easy to rest under your umbrella of leadership because you lead by example. Your guidance, wisdom, and encouragement have been instrumental in my journey, and I’m so grateful to have you as my coach.

This moment is a reflection of the incredible support system I’ve been blessed with and the dedication it takes to keep showing up. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Let’s keep growing, learning, and building platforms together!”

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!