Boldly Branded: Marketing Insights for Black Women Introverts
imposter syndrome don't live here any more
Welcome back to my 5-part series on everything you need to know to start your own business. This month is Black Business Month, and I'm excited to share what I know with you. Last week, we talked about how to get organized. This week, it's all about visibility. This might be a hard one for a lot of you especially if you are an introvert, like me. But trust me, there’s hope.
If you're a Black woman who dreams of starting her own business, you're in the right place. If you're ready to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, stick around for the rest of this series.
Let's go!
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Ok hunnies, lemme holla at you real quick. Did you know that 80% of your time should be devoted to spreading the word about your business? Yep, you read that right! Statistics say that it takes around eight times for those potential customers to hear your marketing message before they're all in. So, keep that message alive and kicking!
But don’t get it twisted, marketing isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. It's like your favorite outfit – you want your marketing medium of choice to fit your style perfectly. Marketing comes in many different flavors – online, in-person, and grassroots, just to name a few. From lighting it up on Instagram to handing out flyers like a true street-style pro, there's something for everyone. And oh, the possibilities! You could start a podcast, lead workshops at your local library, or even become a YouTube sensation. Go as big or as small as your introverted heart can go.
We all know that feeling of wanting to stay behind the curtain, but guess what? We can’t hear you from way back there! It's time to take center stage boo, because you and your business are the stars of the show.
Ready for some action steps? Why not try the magic of newsletters? They're like a treasure chest of connections and community waiting to be unlocked. Research shows you're 40 times more likely to reel in new customers through emails than through social media. I started the very newsletter you’re reading right now over ten years ago on Mailchimp and have since moved to Substack. They are an essential tool to target customers with personalized messages, start a conversation and generate leads. What I love about newsletters is that you're not at the mercy of those pesky algorithms that change every day. If Instagram goes dark even for an hour (which it’s been known to do on occasion), you’ll still be able to communicate with your audience of adoring subscribers who love what you do.
Social media shy? Go slow and choose 1-2 platforms where you want to flaunt your business. Whether you're vibing with Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, pick the ones that suit your style and where you know your customers hang out. When it comes to building your online platform, think marathon, not sprint. Create content that's valuable (don’t overthink this!) and true to your voice. There’s a lot of noise out there so trust that your unique perspective is exactly what is needed in these innanet streets. Oh, and speaking of gems, check out Canva. Canva is a godsend for designing profesh social media posts.
So there you have it, trailblazer. Promotion doesn't have to feel icky, think of it as a practice in owning your voice proudly and confidently. On days when I’m not feeling my best, I take a step back, look at my Rosa Parks portrait in my office and say to myself: remember who the eff you are. You've got this! 💪🏾🚀
Check back next week for our next installment in the series. Meanwhile, what ways are you bringing more visibility to your business? Where do you struggle the most when it comes to marketing and self promotion? Let us know in the comments!