Collaborate Like Cardi

Sooooo, I kicked 2018 off by teaching a visibility and relelvancy series on Facebook. Last night’s lesson was on Getting Comfortable with Colloboration if you want to remain visible and relevant between projects. This also happened last night.

 

That’s right Carbi B and Bruno Mars teamed up and dropped a dope ode to the 90s video. Now for those of you side eyeing me for even supporting, celebrating, and using Carbi B as a teaching point because you don’t like her messaging–you’ve been focusing on the wrong thing for so long you missed the methods and all the lessons she’s been teaching us on how to get this schmoney. For those of you who are concerned about what I’m watching you should be more concerned about how I’m walking (stay focused).

Cardi B closed out 2017 with two major collabos and opened 2018 with an awesome collaboration. If you want to elevate your brand in 2018 you better learn to collaborate like Cardi B. The method can be broken like this visibility + versatility = coins.

Here are 3 Tips to Help You Start Collaborating Like Cardi:

1. Each collaboration that Cardi B has been featured in has showcased the Trap Selena in either a different genre or a different side of Cardi as an artist demonstrating she isn’t a one trick pony. Do your collaborations allow you show your versatility?

2. With the exception of Cardi’s collaboration with Bruno Mars. She thoroughly promoted each collabo, by sharing snippets, footage, and thanking them. Bruno pulled a fast action move and dropped the video just when she started prompting it, but it worked. They’re trending and after the trend comes the checks. What’s your promotion strategy look like after you secure strategic collaborations?

3. Each collaboration has been with an artist that is at the top of their game or will introduce Cardi to a new and more diversified audience. Who are the influencers, authors, and brands that you should be collaborating with. Have you been talking to the same people online everyday and wondering why your PayPal isn’t blinging? It’s time for you to start collaborating like Cardi.

I don’t know what your goals for 2018 are, but if you clicked on the link to this blog or you’re following me then I know that one of your goals is to glow up. However, you have not been able to get in front of the right people to support your vision, you don’t want to waste time on investing in tactics that don’t make sense, and don’t fit your brand.

That’s why I’m hosting the Collaborate Like Cardi Masterclass. This step-by-step masterclass will show you exactly how to easily identify which collaborations are key for your brand, exactly what you should showcase in these collaborations to increase your conversions, and how to gain collaborations even when no one is looking for you.  Register for this class and start creating the collaborations you need to collect more coins in 2018, immediately. 

#MompreneurMonday: What’s it Going to Cost You?

I’m sure you’ve seen tons of digital entrepreneurs boasting that they can teach you how to start a business with little to no money at all. However, as a good friend once said to me, “Everything comes with a cost.” There’s a price that must be paid for every single thing that you invest in especially starting a business. 

This weekend after a discussion about balance with my husband I realized that I had to deal with the unwritten costs that many don’t discuss neither do they offer tips about how to get around them. The time, the egos, and emotions of those in your family are a very real yet intangible things that cost you a lot when you’re trying to start up. 

Mompreneurs, before you reach the point where you realize you can’t afford your business and the intangibles here are a couple of tips: 

1. Take regularly scheduled days off. Your 9 to 5 gave you two days off. During those two days your family could count on seeing your smiling face and doing fun things. Don’t deprive them of that. 

2. For the kids–allow them to work with you when and where feasible. You’ll still be spending time together and hitting your bottom line. If you’re not sure if that would work for you check out 4 Reasons to Get Your Kids Involved with Your Biz.

3. Talk to your husband about your products, projects, progress, and goals more often. Try to help him understand what you are doing. If he has any skills that are related to what you do, then get him involved so that you’re working and spending time together. 

4. Accept that you can’t please everyone all of the time. You can’t be everywhere all of the time.

Building a business and establishing a brand is time consuming hard work. Yet when it all flows it’s worth the cost. 

So, don’t give up the legacy and freedom you’re creating. Take these tips and keep making it happen. 

If you have any tips for balancing the biz and family life drop them in the comments and if you know a mompreneur share this blog with her. 

#MompreneurMonday Top 2 Reasons Your Business is Struggling

It’s the first quarter and you may already be feeling overwhelmed by your bustling business or drowning in it. There are really two reasons why you’re struggling. 

No, it’s not because you don’t have enough engagement and nor is it because you don’t have enough exposure. They would both make it better, but here are the real reasons. 

You’ve either failed to plan for increased exposure and engagement or you’ve created a plan that you are not fully executing. 

So, here’s the deal, planning may seem daunting and it may seem like you don’t have the time to plan, but you are wasting your time by not sitting down and creating a cohesive plan. Trust me, I’ve lived in that space and that is such a waste of energy and effort. You’ll be doing 5,001 things and not seeing any real results. 

Have you been there??? Are you still living in this non-planning or haphazard planning space??? Download the 1st quarter of the Passion and Purpose Planner to see how easy it is to plan for your passion and purpose.

Click on the photo for access to the Passion and Purpose Planner

You waste your time even further by not actually executing the plan. Stop abandoning the plans you sit down and create or allowing the craziness that sometimes goes on when motherhood and business collide. 

Don’t worry, the Passion and Purpose Planner combines your planning for spiritual growth and cyberspace domination for your business. 

Speaking of worrying, what’s your biggest worry or fear when it comes to planning or the biggest problem you have when it comes to planning? Let’s talk about it so we can solve it. 

#MompreneurMonday The Must Have Accessory

Happy New Year!!! The 31st was my birthday and I bought something that every mompreneur must have! This accessory has already begun saving my life. 

If you’re like me then a lot of your business is done online or you vend at events and use your phone to collect payments. Then there are the regular days where you’re on the move. With two kids 11 and 6 I’m on the go a lot. 

I write books on my cell phone, send invoices from my cell phone and I need my battery functioning at all times. 

That’s not always feasible, there’s isn’t always an outlet available and to be honest I am a forgetful woman, so I don’t even carry my charger all the time. Then I discovered this swanky little wristlet with a charger. 

$20 at Old Navy

I can charge my phone on the go. It’s easy to stow in a large bag, slap on my wrist for a quick errand, or when I’m trying to look cute. This is a must have accessory for a #mompreneur expanding her social media territory. Whether  you blog on the go or run an online boutique from the palm of your hand you need this wristlet. 

Speaking of must haves for 2017 come back next week when I drop dime about all the apps I use to save time and build my biz on road. 

If you grab one let me know how it works out for you and tag me in a pic or two. 

#MompreneurMonday Get Respect While Working From Home

R-E-S-P-E-C-T isn’t that what all small business owners want? Of course, but sometimes it can be really difficult for a mompreneur to get some respect while working from home.

Raise your hand if you know what I mean. You’ve got the kids running around, the husband making requests, and those pesky Facebook notifications can be downright disrespectful.

The only way to get respect is to demand it.

 

Not quite like this, even though that’s how you may feel.

What you have to do be firm and about your business. Just like you would at your 9 to 5 create an environment that demands every member of your household respects your mompreneur hustle. It might be a fight and difficult for them to see it and grasp it, but go for it.

Here are 3 tips to create an environment of respect for your home based business:

1. Set office hours. Sometimes your day will just run together, but realistically if you want people to respect what you do have to set the tone. Some of my early Periscope videos and live classes have traces of my children’s voices in the background. Then I finally sat them down and explained the seriousness of what I’m doing and now I have almost no background voices in my training. Put your foot down and explain it in a language that they understand. Just like your kids or husband can’t just pop up in the middle of a meeting at your office they can’t just pop up while you’re working at home.
2. Keep your working space a working space. I don’t care if you have a table top tray or full-fledged office (I’m IN between the two. I have a cubicle) keep all non-business related items out of your working space. Evict all the sippy cups, crayons, etc. Make your working space working space. As your family sees you respect your working space they will.
3. Quantify your contributions or  your potential contributions. Just like you would go before your boss for an annual review, sit down with the hubs or your partner and show them what your are earning and how those earnings have enhanced the household. If you’re just starting out–show your mate what the earning potential is and how much time you need to put to reach that point. Most men will be all for a few extra dollars coming in without you have to go out to get them.

Will it be easy? Absolutely not. You might have to struggle a little while to get into a routine that works for the family and has you feeling like the boss you are. Fight for it though. Your contribution is valuable and your dreams are worthy of respect.

Which one of these tips will you implement today? What tips to have for your fellow mompreneurs who are looking for some respect.

#MomprenuerMonday The Secret to Managing Motherhood and Your Biz

That’s right today I’m spilling the beans and sharing secrets.  This is the only way to make motherhood and entrepreneurship work for without asking God to grant you a miracle on a daily basis. Of course prayer should be apart of your business strategy, which is why I wrote my latest book, Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, but there’s something really pratical that you can do to keep yourself from going crazy. 

Are you ready for me to reveal the secret? 

Get real close: Ask for help. 

That’s right. Asking for help is an actual strategy that will save your business and preserve your mental health. There is this misleading image of moms and entrepreneurs floating around that makes you think unless you’re doing it all on your own you’re not really doing anything. 

Not true. 
Ask your family for support with kids–whether you need a day to run errands, take calls, or a day off you better open your mouth and ask for help. Remember, if you’ve made the right kinds of friends then they’re family too. You can ask them for help and if you can’t you need new friends. 

Ask other entrepreneurs for their support and advice. Instead of staying up until 3am reading random articles after searching how to monetize your Instagram, just ask someone (by the way click here to download 5 free tips to promote your book and build your brand using Instagram)

Ask your husband, partner, or baby daddy to take over some things that might typically have been a task or chore that you do regularly. 

It’s that simple. The same way that you pray and ask God for help you have to actively utilize the people He’s placed in your life to help you. 

Now, help me out share some your secrets in the comments. How are you managing motherhood and business without going crazy? 

And don’t forget to pre-order your copy of Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion.

Release Date: 10/28/16

 

#MompreneurMondays 4 Reasons to Get Your Kids Involved in Your Business

Every mogul mama knows managing motherhood and business is no easy feat. I’ve received tons of questions about how I do it all and truthfully if it wasn’t for the grace of God I would have lost one of these kids in Target by now (okay, I did once, but it was for like five minutes). There a few tricks I’ve learned either from research, doing it wrong, or inspiration given to me by God and I’m sharing them every Monday. 

 

This summer I had the privilege and opportunity to work from home. One third of the time it was sheer bliss, another third of the time I had a headache, and one third of the time I’m not even sure what was going on. The sheer bliss occurred every time I was able to get the kids involved in the work.

Here are 4 Reasons why you should  get your kids involved too: 

1. Getting your children involved in your business keeps them busy without damaging any brain cells. Boogie, 6 is my intern and Woogie, 10 is my assistant. They both have a task to execute while I’m working. It’s a great alternative to them watching YouTube or t.v. (don’t judge me we’ve all had to sacrifice a few of their brain cells for some peace and quiet). 
2. The kids are gaining work experience that can go on their resume or school applications.
3. The kids can gain real world lessons. While shopping for flowers the other day Boogie and Woogie got into an argument which consisted of several, “You’re the worst sister in the world.” and “You’re a jerkhead.” However, it ended with a conversation about Human Resources and what happens when you disrespect people in the work place. 
4. Free or low cost help for you. Speaking of low cost help click here for 7 Sexy Content Ideas when you’re short on time after chasing your little bambinos around. 

Don’t worry even if you’re kids are small you can have them throw away things for you, sort products for you if you have physical products, and of course ask them for their opinions. You can even use them as photographers. Check out my Instagram and see if you can figure out which photos my “oogies” took for me. 

Have you ever tried involving your kids in the business? How did it go and what tips can you offer other mompreneurs? 

 

3 Ways to Discover Your Passion

Everything ain’t for everybody–being an entrepreneur may be the new craze, but is that your passion? 

Don’t fall into the trap and chase a dragon you don’t even want to ride. What you should pursue is your passion. Here are three ways to discover your passion. 

1. Return to your first love. 

What did you love doing as a child? Painting? Horseback riding? Writing? Don’t put a value on it right now. Don’tconsider the likelihood of you having a career in this field or how hard it is. If you like it, love it, or get some sort of satisfaction out of doing it, start doing it again. Don’t make your age a factor. Leslie Jones of, SNL and Ghostbusters didn’t hit the SNL stage until 47.  If you need further encouragement check out this Huffpost Article on 13 people who made a career change later on in life. 

Photo from hollwoodreporter.com

2. Make a list of all the things that you are good at.

 Often people who can’t figure out what their passion is are torn between all of their many talents and gifts. After you’ve made your list cross out the things that you enjoy doing the least. You can be good at something yet not be passionate about it. When I worked in retail I loathed every millisecond of it, but I was good at it because I am good with people. Once you figure out what you’re good at and like to do, cross section it with careers that will allow you to do both. 

3. Relax.

 Stop comparing yourself to everyone else who seems to have found their passion and look within yourself. What do you have strong opinions about? What gets you excited? And maybe, just watching television gets you excited. Turn that into a gig, do recaps and rundowns, create your own YouTube show, or show on your city’s local public access station. 

What difficulty have you had finding your passion? When did you discover your passion? What do you recommend others do who are searching for their passion in life? 

Want more inspiration and preparation for Pursuing Your Passion? Follow my publishing company Inheritance Books on Twitter @InheritBooks to join our passion party leading up to the release of my fourth book, Pursuing Your Passion in a Godly Fashion, Prayers for Creative Christians and Entrepreneurs. 

Release Date: 10/28/16

When You’re Not Making Dollars Does It Make Sense?

This post is partially personal and partially inspired by last night’s episode of MaryMary. Yes, I watch MaryMary (we all need deliverance). Now, let’s get to the point at hand–and it is sometimes a point of contention for Christians in business–the dollars and the cents. 

We’ve all experienced that lull in sales or a lack thereof that makes you go, “What the…” Then you ask yourself why am I doing this, and then you ask you best friend why am I doing this, and then you ask God why am I doing this. Lastly, you wonder should I continue. 

When you’re not making dollars does it make sense? 

It seems to all stop making sense at that point, but I’ve got the answer for you and it comes from Tina Campbell’s very transparent moment on last night’s episode of MaryMary. Last night Tina confessed that the first leg of her tour had not made any profits. Not one of the shows she’d booked had sold out and thus she was unable to churn a profit. That seems impossible and highly unlikely for a star, but it happened and if it happened to her it can happen to us or has already. 

It happened to me. 

I was scheduled to teach a workshop that was widely publicized and well promoted I thought, however in the end only two or three people showed up. The first person was an older woman who really wanted to discover who Christ was. There was  another author conducting the workshop with me and we both sat side by side and ministered to her. We never led our workshop that day, but God’s work was performed and we did sell books to the small crowd that came through. 

Did we earn big bucks that day? No. We earned a few dollars, but it all made sense in the eternal scheme of things. God’s work was performed. 

Now, that’s not to say you shouldn’t earn a profit from your Christian business. I’m not that type of Christian. I don’t believe in the poverty gospel, nor do I partake in the I should n’t want gospel. Yes, I need to want less of the world’s goods and you do too, but there are too many times that God has promised to give me the desires of my heart for it to makes sense that I run a business and not expect a profit. 

Did I stop because I took an L that day? NOPE and neither did Tina. 

The question is what do you when creativity is costing you more than what it’s bringing in?

What should you do to make more dollars so this whole thing makes sense?

1. Pray for prosperity and promotion. The Bible tells us it doesn’t come from the east, west, or south, but from God and you can’t get something from someone you’re speaking to. 
2. Promote. Promote. Promote. Promote yourself and pay for promotion. Also don’t be afraid to book a strategy session with a coach. 
3. Redirect your energy to places where it is more effective. If you’re not getting a response from Facebook it may be time to check out other social media sites to build and create your following. 
4. Cut costs where you can. I am not saying do it all or waste your time trying to learn how to do it all, but if you can design a business card you can design a flyer and bookmarks. Save those dollars for ad space or to pay a promoter. 
5. Keep on doing what you do with the utmost confidence in the Gift Giver, Jesus Christ and confidence in His word–the gift He’s given you is good and it will make room for you. It may take others a while to come to that realization, but you keep working until they do. 

Got suggestions on how authors and other creatives can earn a profit? Drop them in the comments below.

Are you an author or a creative entrepreneur that wants to work with me? Send an email to nigeria@inheritancebooks.co to book a 45 minute Monster Manifestation Session to develop an individualized strategy to generate attention and growth for your writing or business.