Tag: Utility Avenue

Social Media as a Marketing Tool

Posted on by Odette Fernandez
Social media as a marketing tool.
social media as a marketing tool
Marketing is essential for the success of a business. It helps you promote your goods and services and draw clientele. Hiring a marketing team should be seen as a cost-effective investment. However, some small businesses and solopreneurs need to focus on DIY marketing, which involves a lot of learning and time. They have to do the marketing themselves while also running the business.

What is social media as a marketing tool?

According to Wikipedia, “Social media marketing is the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service. Although the terms e-marketing and digital marketing are still dominant in academia, social media marketing is becoming more popular for both practitioners and researchers.”
Social media as a marketing tool is essential, because online marketing will not function without social media. Marketing teams aim at attracting clients on all the different social media platforms.

Why should we use it?

Marketing is a necessary must for companies worldwide. No matter how reliable a marketing team or strategy may be, social media as a marketing tool will increase your possibility of success exponentially.
An article in LYFE Marketing offers 15 reasons to use Social Media Marketing.

1. Your customers are on social media:

Social media is where many people spend time, get information, and socialize. Having a social media marketing strategy provides visibility. The LYFE Marketing piece says that “According to Statista, 70% of the U.S. population has at least one social media profile. And by 2021, the number of worldwide social media users is expected to reach about 3.1 billion people.” Such an increase in the number of social media users also increases the possibilities of people finding your business.

2. Consumers will be more receptive to your messages:

The casual and fun way in which social media interactions occur. Although most users are on these social media to keep track of their friends, they also follow the things they are interested in.

3. Marketing through social media can help increase brand recognition:

The key is that promoting through social media gives you more visibility and makes you more accessible. It also allows them to share your content with their friends and followers, granting you more potential followers.

4. Marketing through social media increases your inbound traffic:

According to the piece by LYFE Marketing, your social media profiles give you “… another way to get more inbound traffic to your website. This makes marketing through social media an excellent strategy to complement your search engine optimization efforts. Each piece of content that you post to your social media profiles is another opportunity to bring new visitors to your site.”

5. Different social media channels help you reach specific audiences:

When you are marketing, you can target different audiences. Your followers might be the same on Facebook, or Instagram, or LinkedIn. But there is a high percentage of them that only follow you on one of the platforms. Therefore, if you use more than one platform, you create an opportunity to increase and diversify your audience.

6. Social media advertising allows you to target and retarget ideal consumers:

As per LYFE Marketing: “Though social media advertising does require a bit of an up-front investment, social ads can do a lot to complement the organic campaigns that you are running on your social media channels. With sophisticated targeting capabilities, social media platforms like Facebook help you target your ideal buyers, which allows you to drive more relevant traffic to your site.”

7. Marketing through social media is cost-effective:

You don’t need to spend too much money to market on social media. Instead, devote time to study and generate content, and you will probably get good results. Of course, you can spend money on ads to promote content, but generating appealing material and publishing at the right moment can be very helpful.

8. Social media marketing may help improve your search engine rankings:

When you have a strong social media presence, search engines use that for your ranking. If your social media activity is robust and engaging and has good feedback, you get reliability. This translates into a good reputation and might be a factor for search engines to rank your business.

9. Your competition is on social media:

Since all of your competition might already be on social media, your potential customers might be there as well. Your competitors might have been on social media for some time now, which means there are already a lot of possible clients for you as well. Promoting the right way may help you attract those customers to you.

10. Marketing on social media leads to higher conversion rates:

LYFE Marketing says that “According to HubSpot, social media has a 100% higher lead-to-close rate than outbound marketing tactics. That could be because every post you make and each interaction you have on your social media channels is an opportunity to convert an interested lead into a happy customer. By building a report with your leads and customers and posting valuable content consistently, your brand can work to improve trust and credibility, which leads to more conversions.”

11. Social media marketing helps improve brand loyalty:

Engaging with your customers and target audiences on social media help you increase customer loyalty. Social media allows you to generate leads. It also provides an easy way to interact with them and get feedback. This can translate into loyalty, as clients will feel more pleased with your customer service and the way you respond to their requests, questions, and complaints.

12. Consumers are looking for recommendations on social media:

Social media is a space where people share their thoughts and opinions. Among those opinions, the one they have about your service can have an impact on your potential customers. It is the new word-of-mouth marketing, and having a social media account for your business will help people recommend you.

13. Social media helps connect your brand with customers you didn’t know:

You may follow specific keywords or analyze the trending topics related to your type of business. This can get you access to people who are making comments on those topics. These people are your potential clients, and you can engage with them thanks to social media.

14. Marketing through social media can help you improve brand authority:

Having valuable content on your social media helps you create brand authority, making you a reliable voice and even a reference. More valuable content will mean more evidence of your expertise, more traffic, and more clientele.

15. Social media marketing allows you to gain new customer insights:

Quoting LYFE Marketing,  “… social media marketing gives you the valuable opportunity to gain new insights into your customers. By interacting with leads and current customers on social media, you can see what your customers are interested in and what drives them.”

Which Social Media platform should you use?

Many sites agree that the top Social Media use in marketing include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. Web FX provides a list of the top 10, which are pretty much the same as the lists offered everywhere else:

1. Facebook

Daily active users: 1.45 billion
Monthly active users: 2.20 billion
Best use: Engaging your audience, Collecting reviews, Customer service, Advertising

2. Twitter

Monthly active users: 320 million
Best use: Building industry authority, Real-Life updates

3. LinkedIn

Registered users: 562 million
Best use: Reaching B2B prospects and potential employees

4. YouTube

Registered users: Over 1 billion
Best use: Highlighting company culture, Tutorials, Demonstrations

5. Pinterest

Monthly users: Over 175 million
Best use: Sharing products

6. Instagram

Monthly active users: Over 400 million
Best use: Building your brand

7. Google+

Monthly active users: 395 million
Best use: Managing your Google My Business listing

8. Snapchat

Daily active users: 187 million
Best use: Real-Time updates, Promoting events

9. Tumblr

Registered users: 412.8 million
Best use: Reaching a young audience

10. StumbleUpon

Registered users: 25 million
Best use: Increasing site traffic

Don’t forget blogging!

Please, don’t forget blogging! An excellent blog is a good means to draw attention to your goods and services. Blogs generate reliable content you can create on social media. Keep your blog active with engaging content. You will get more traffic into it, and more people knocking on your virtual door to do business with you.

Final thoughts on Social Media as a Marketing Tool

Marketing through social media can be done either by your marketing team or by yourself. The advantages are limitless, and the reach you can get is enormous. It would be helpful if you created your content intentionally and targeted your audiences effectively. Remember marketing will be more effective because of the quality of your content and the feedback provided on your social media platforms by happy customers.
So, choose what social media you want to use for your business and start promoting and engaging. It would be useful if you chose those you are more comfortable with to make your work easier. You can get a lot of clients through that.

Why should you hire marketing experts?

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Marketing experts, are they necessary?

Should You Spend Money in Marketing?

Imagine you are starting a small business and need to invest carefully to avoid wasting money. You have done all the numbers and your small company needs to take off. For that, you need to attract people to hire your services, buy your product, or visit your place.

How can you achieve that?

marketing team

It will help if you market your business.

Marketing might not be something you want to spend money on, especially if you don’t have a lot of resources. You don’t want to spend on advertising or hiring marketing experts in case you fail to generate the necessary revenue. However, without a big initial budget, it is possible AND essential to pay for ads, hire marketing experts, or both.

Why use experts?

To make a new business grow, you need to attract clientele. Whether it is a restaurant, or a car dealership, or a hair salon, you can promote your biz by word of mouth. But today’s world is highly competitive, and entrepreneurs are no exception. Word of mouth and fliers alone will not lure customers into your business. DIY-ing your social media might not give you the desired results.
If marketing were easy, there would not be marketing careers, online courses, or marketing experts. They exist for a reason: to spare you of the painstaking process of having to organize ideas, generate content, create organic followers, and attract clients.  Big billboards, bench signs, bus signs, and taxi signs still work. But the internet has revolutionized the marketing world as well.

Why pay for marketing?

Business.com,  Inc.com, and Digital Entrepreneurs stress the importance of marketing. You should keep in mind that it’s better to hire experts to do a job you are not familiar with.

We share some of those reasons:

Experts will use modern marketing methods and strategies.

Modern marketing is continuously evolving and it requires many different skill sets. Running a business, especially if you are a solopreneur, makes it harder to do everything by yourself. You would have to learn it all and take time to practice. In the end, you would have to devote more time to market the business than to run it.

Experts will develop creative and interactive resources.

Creating engaging text, although important, is not enough. There are resources, like videos, podcasts, infographics, banners, and headers. All of that, coupled with the text (which should be truthful, well-written, and SEO-friendly), requires additional training and skills. Depending on the complexity of the message, this can be even harder for the average person. That’s why marketing experts are necessary.

Experts are cost-effective

If you choose to do it yourself, it could be a slow process. You would have to learn how to work with different tools, and you might not be able to focus on your role as a business owner. Appointing a person without proper qualifications could be even more harmful and end up being very costly.

Whether you hire a marketing company or create your team in-house, you would be saving money. Hiring the right professionals for the job will bring you good results. It is an investment, and the outcome would translate into more customers, more business, and more money.

Experts will help you build your brand.

Even many social media addicts fail to comprehend the tricks of Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. A single mistake can end up being unfavorable for your business reputation or your social media engagement. That’s why it comes handy to have a team member in charge of monitoring engagement, interacting with your audience and exploring the trends.

Experts will help you develop your website concept.

Business.com says: “A marketing campaign will fail if the business doesn’t have a well-designed website and a carefully crafted brand presence. A website is the foundation of all marketing campaigns and needs to provide a good user experience to visitors, regardless of the platform they approach it from.”

It also adds “Your website should be easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, SEO-friendly, quick to load on all platforms, aesthetically pleasing, and informative. It should be designed following your branding to ensure it conveys the right message to your target audience.”

The role of Utility Avenue

When you think of it, Utility Avenue is a marketing tool. It is free advertising. As more people use the app, there are more and more potential clients for those who promote their business or side gigs through our platform. So, Utility Avenue is a marketing tool that is free to use and charges you ONLY fifty cents when you sell a service.

Final thoughts on using a marketing team to scale your business.

According to Web Strategies Inc., Business-to-consumer (B2C) service companies devoted 15.6% of revenue to marketing, while business-to-business (B2B) ones did 8.6%.
If the numbers are so high, it’s because marketing brings clients and creates business opportunities. Whether you build in-house or hire an outside team, discuss your goals with the marketing team. Also, please pay close attention to their suggestions. They might have ideas to improve the business that you hadn’t thought of.
So, as a business owner, think about marketing as a way to scale your business and be limitless.

Thriving Businesses in Times of Coronavirus

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

Last week, we addressed how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the economy both in the US and globally. We also spoke about its impact on the small business industry and the entrepreneurs. Many of them found themselves in a logjam. Yet, individual businesses have managed not only to stay afloat but also to thrive and grow. In many cases, consumer interest skyrocketed, provoking spikes in sales and services. Some of these businesses will remain even after the pandemic is controlled.

This week, we would like to focus on thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

Some of them were simply Johnny-on-the-spot. Their products and services became essential during the times of outbreak, confinement, social distancing, and recovery. Others managed to thrive because they were resourceful enough to change their strategies and reshape the focus of their business.

The pandemic put the world at risk. The measures taken by governments to control the infection took a toll on both big and small industries. It took a lot of courage, drive, and imagination for them to find ways to thrive through a health crisis.

 

Thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

The US Chamber of Commerce offers a list of 15 small businesses that managed to thrive during the pandemic. In a scenario that has seen many companies take a nosedive, others have managed to bloom.

 

Cleaning services

cleaning service

The outbreak increased the demand for professional cleaning services to sanitize spaces like offices, business locations, and houses. Commercial buildings and medical facilities also started demanding such services, which led to a growth in business. Of course, safety measures were strict: the health of workers and clients and the reputation of the company were at stake.

 

Delivery services

Thriving business: delivery service

Fear of contagion, lockdown, and shelter-in-place measures forced people to stay home. Delivery services were the best choice for those who could not or did not want to leave their houses. Although big delivery companies have benefited from this, small local delivery services also experienced growth because of the high demand.

 

Drive-in movie theaters

Thriving business: drive-in theatre

According to the US Chamber of Commerce: “One of the most peculiar small business categories that have recently seen success in the coronavirus era is drive-in movie theaters. People can watch a show from their car and provide a way for families to get out of the house.

Owners of drive-in theaters in California, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri all told the Los Angeles Times recently that business had increased in light of coronavirus. While it’s not clear if these drive-in theaters will remain open as many “non-essential businesses” are closed, the coronavirus crisis may reinvigorate these types of businesses in a new period where keeping your distance is encouraged.”

 

Grocery stores

Thriving business: grocery stores

The social distancing measures included a lockdown for restaurants everywhere. People who were used to eat in restaurants started stacking up on goods to be able to have a good meal at home. Disregarding the size of the business, grocery stores saw an increase in the demand for their products. Also, people have learned their lesson: they will try to have enough groceries at home for this type of emergency. 

 

Liquor and wine stores

Thriving business: wine store

The closing of many bars led people to “build” their own at home. That is, stacking up on wine, liquor, and rum to make cocktails, sip or simply have a shot or a nightcap. Although high alcohol consumption is never recommended, a drink every now and then has proven to be effective in dealing with stress. Interestingly, liquor was also useful for making hand sanitizer because of the alcohol contents.

 

Meal prep delivery services

Thriving business: Meal prep

Those people who did not want to spend too much time in the kitchen and had to stay at home during the pandemic were the main clients of this type of service. Others who had to work remotely and had to deal with children at home found it very difficult to get to cooking as well. As a result, meal prep businesses, whether big or small, saw a significant surge in their demand. This will probably be a trend even after COVID19 is gone because some people who had never used such services before might become clients.

 

Canned and jarred goods companies

Thriving business: jarred food

There is no secret for anyone that canned and jarred goods transmit a sense of sterilization. This increases the level of trust consumers may have, and this causes a high demand. Also, canned food lasts much longer than fruit, vegetables, or meat. As long as you keep an eye on the expiring date, it is genius to stack up and store it for a rainy day. When the pandemic struck, some grocery stores had shortages in supplies and canned and jarred products came to the rescue.

 

Board Game makers and sellers

Thriving business: games

Confinement led to family time. Many of the people who are parents today grew up without the privileges of cell phones, internet, social media, or Netflix. For many, it was time to remember some of the adventures they had as children. Board games do foster family and friendship bonds and make people relax and enjoy while spending time together. For the more modern type of consumer, video games—mainly the online ones—became a way to escape the realities of quarantine and also interact with people. 

More thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

However, these small businesses are not the only ones making it through this challenging moment. There are other types of companies that are adapting, reassessing, and some even starting as solutions for the everyday problems people face amid the crisis.

Scrubs, gloves, face masks, etc.

Thriving business: mask makers
Face masks, by Sub Dog Design.

The need for protective gear for medical staff and people doing risky jobs is permanent. As concerns over the disease increased, people not related to the healthcare system also started using protective gear. Also, some of the businesses that remained open started needing gloves and face masks. Some people will prefer a beautiful looking mask, and will thus pay more money to look cool while protecting themselves.

 

Wellness 

thriving business sprinkle grace
Wellness Kit, by Sprinkle Grace Co.

Okay, maybe some people were not inclined to put perfume on. But what if these manufacturers are offering them something else, something they need, like say, hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer sales skyrocketed during the first stages of the pandemic, and there is still need. As countries begin to reopen, people have incredibly altered their daily routines, and that includes what they carry when they leave the house. For those who did not have a habit of packing hand sanitizer already, now they do. Businesses that deal with the public directly also need this product. At the same time, some clients will pay more money for a locally-sourced hand sanitizer that is exclusive and on fashion.

 

Fitness gear and instructors

Thriving business: online fitness

One of the main concerns was precisely the lack of exercise and physical activity. Others were worried about how obesity could impact their health if the virus struck them. So, fitness instructors and people selling fitness gear had a lot of attention these past few months. For the instructors, given the social distancing measures, it was possible to do their sessions online.

Online book stores

Thriving business: online book store
Built to Serve, by Evan Carmichael

A book is, without question, a great friend. Reading a good book has always been useful for relaxation. It has a good effect on people in both their intellect and their mood. In times of pandemic, reading has become a favorite even for those who thought it was a lost habit. People are reading more. Books are being massively purchased either in digital format or in print.

Therapist

Thriving business: therapists

Days, weeks, and months in a lockdown can bring very worrisome side effects. Those might include depression, anxiety, mood swings. So, therapists and counselors became more sought-after. Either by phone or video chat, even group sessions can be carried out on video conference calls.

 

Final thoughts about thriving businesses in times of coronavirus.

Businesses that have less interaction with clients and whose goods or services became crucial during the pandemic are going to succeed. Online entertainment has seen a peak in consumer interest and consumption as people are home. Protection and safety have also skyrocketed, along with the substitutes for daily leisure activities such as restaurants, cafés, and bars.

However, they are not the only thriving businesses in times of coronavirus. Success will always depend on how well they market themselves, how well they understand people’s needs to meet them, and how well they follow safety measures. The latter is arguably the essential key to success for any small company right now. Some business owners and entrepreneurs have refused to let the pandemic defeat them, and have found alternatives to stay afloat. They are thriving in times of coronavirus.

As long as your business understands the importance of following protocols, you will succeed. Your reputation as someone who values the safety of the clients will be as high as the reputation of your service.

You will get more clients and make more money.

5 Lessons to Become a Confident and Profitable Entrepreneur

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Khadejah is a devoted wife, mom of two girls, and owner of Thrive Virtually, a virtual assistant agency. After Khadejah recognized she had a gift in administration and wanted to spend more time with her kids, she decided to start a virtual assistant business. In Utility Avenue’s weekly spotlight, she shares five valuable lessons to become a confident and profitable entrepreneur.

a confident and profitable entrepreneur
Photo credit: @marybethwoodphotography

 

Lessons to become a confident and profitable entrepreneur

Confidence is a word that we often hear today. We’ve been taught that confidence can help you stand out and land a job. This is all true, but no one ever shows you the process of becoming confident. The truth is, confidence comes with experience. Some people magically have the gift, and others work towards it. I started a virtual assistant business in 2018, and after almost three years, I have recently become a confident business owner. 

Let’s talk more about the virtual assistant industry.

A virtual assistant is an independent contractor who provides administrative, creative, or technical support services for online business entrepreneurs. A virtual assistant can work from anywhere as long as there is access to wifi. However, some virtual assistants have clients who own brick and mortar companies but work virtually. Since starting, I’ve created an ebook to help other women start their virtual assistant business, scaled into an agency, and secured multiple bi-annual contracts. 

Now that you have more of an idea of what I do, I want to share with you five lessons to become a confident and profitable entrepreneur in my industry.

  • Become confident in your WHY

You need to know your why when starting a business. Your why will keep you in business even when things get tough and lonely. When you know WHY you started your business, you can operate in confidence even when you feel like giving up. My WHY was because I wanted to make an income from home and still spend quality time with my kids. 

  • Become confident in your offering

When you’re deciding what you want to offer, it’s essential to provide a service that you enjoy rather than just because it makes a lot of money. I’m pretty good at making websites, but I don’t offer it to my clients because creating sites for other people stresses me out. However, I provide website updates, and I enjoy that. Once you master the service you choose to offer, you become confident in your skillset. When you become confident in your skillset, you’re able to sell yourself and the results you can deliver. You’re ready to articulate how you can solve someone’s problem during a sales call. Speaking of sales calls, let’s talk about that next.

  • Become confident in your sales calls

Once you niche down to a service you enjoy doing, you’re able to sound excited and confident during sales calls. Let the client explain their pain point and communicate what you’ve done for other clients and how you can help them. When you are passionate about what you offer, your calls will naturally flow. Before getting off the call with the client, be sure to let them know what they can expect after the phone call.

  • Become confident in your onboarding process

Before I end a call, the leads know precisely what to expect. I communicate that they will receive an email with a proposal from me within 24 hours. I let them know the next start date I have available, and I even tell them when I’ll be following up. When you set structure upfront, it gives the client an idea of what it looks like to work with you. I have my process documented of what happens from whenever someone books a sales call to when they sign. This came with experience and trial/error. I’ve done it so much that I’m very confident in my onboarding process.

  • Become confident in your prices

Last but not least, it’s imperative to become confident in your prices. Don’t worry if someone else is charging less or more than you. You have to become confident in what you charge and know the value of the results you provide to clients. It took me forever to become confident in my prices and sometimes. I still question myself, lol. What keeps me confident in my prices is hearing fantastic feedback from my clients on how I have transformed and helped their business. They are happy to invest in me monthly.

Final words

I hope these tips will help you become more confident as a business owner.
Whether you’re a virtual assistant, photographer, or a service provider in a different industry, this can apply to you.

If you’re looking for a community to help you become a more confident virtual assistant, join her free FB group, “The Confident Virtual Assistant.”

Thrive Virtually’s Contact Info

Website: https://www.thrivevirtually.co
Email: khadejah@thrivevirtually.co
Instagram: @thrivevirtually
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivevirtually

_______________________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

Entrepreneurship and Regulations: A Game of Thrones

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Entrepreneurship and Regulations

In today’s world, to make things function, there have to be regulations. They are theoretically designed to keep things from getting out of control, but the reality is entirely different. With time, more regulations come to substitute or enhance the existing ones, and they become tools of oppression rather than order.
Regulations are legal instruments to tell you what you can do, how you have to do it, and how far you can go.
This is diametrically opposite to entrepreneurship.

Truth is

– The first goal of a self-employed person is to be their own boss.
– In the United States, there are 57 million freelancers who risk their income monthly to avoid being governed by anyone.
– Ninety-nine percent of the country’s companies are small businesses, hiring almost 50% of the labor force.

The main reason is having no boss.
Nevertheless, regulations grow continuously because the government intends to fix everything by controlling.

For example, a gardener has an accident, and it affects a piece of property. The government issues an order stating that gardeners’ vehicles have to go through two inspections a year. Every mistake a gardener makes brings a new regulation: the kind of tools, the hours, the activities. And then, the prices and the salary of the employees go up.
That is when we start losing authority, and the business starts to go bad.
The saddest part of the story is that those who dictate such regulations are not gardeners. They don’t understand about the smell of fresh grass or petrichor. Above all, legislators never risk their salary or their family. If they are wrong, they don’t suffer.

A gardener can’t make a mistake.

Game of Thrones: the struggles of the entrepreneur:

The entrepreneur is a juggler.

Many Hollywood scripts can be written with the daily life of entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur implies high risk. Their bills look like those of a millionaire for a week, and those of a homeless, the next. It’s a rollercoaster.
Restaurant owners work tirelessly to make a dream grow. A client gets there and gets treated like a king. The restaurant is a kingdom, and the owner is the servant. Whether as a jester or a counselor, they have to make that client want to come back.
The entrepreneur spends months, maybe years, building that kingdom. And when everything is going okay, all restaurants get closed because of a virus.
They lose $100,000 in the first month but they hang on and pay. Their employees are friends because they are like a family trying to strive. When they lose another $100,000 in the second month, they can no longer pay. Employees are now delivering food. They now sell precooked and uncooked food and hold online raffles.
They juggle, but they won’t be able to resist the third month.

Clash with the system

When they go see the Mayor, they explain tables meet social distancing requirements, all measures have been taken, and nobody is going to get sick in their castle.
But the Mayor cannot authorize it because not all restaurants are going to do the same. The Mayor is not losing his dream because he has not worked years to accomplish it. He thinks about his political position and what the press will say.

People who don’t take chances, who end up destroying dreams instead of looking out for them are the ones who make regulations. Their decisions are not solutions, at least not for restaurants. The office of the Mayor is a fortress that only protects itself.
And when the year begins, Christmas is over.
The Three Wise Men leave, and another man, the taxman, arrives.
The earnings of three months pay mayors and public employees. Since there are always more regulations, more people have to get paid.

There are over one-third of a million public employees with over hundred-thousand-dollar-a-year salaries in California alone. The people of California—including gardeners, restaurant owners, and locksmiths—pay $45,000,000,000 of salary a year to these government employees. However, in Florida, there are ten times fewer government employees with such wages. California regulates a lot: Florida, not so much.

Forty-five billion dollars to close restaurants: to ruin gardeners.

Entrepreneurship and Regulations: Entrepreneurs pay to get regulated.

And regulators regulate so that entrepreneurs don’t grow.
They believe in good intentions. The truth is power corrupts, and they will not turn in those onerous salaries so easily. It won’t be long before regulations work in their favor. They will ruin the economy if need be, but it will put money in their pockets.
And we are not talking about Venezuela or Argentina.
We are talking about California, with its deficit of $1,000,000,000,000 in pensions; New York, with its budget deficit of $6,000,000,000; Massachusetts, with its per capita debt of $10,000.

An article published in Forbes by Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., says that:
“The best news is that countries can learn from both the good institutions that have allowed other nations to prosper, as well as from mistakes those nations have made. Policymakers’ task—and that of entrepreneurs themselves—is to affirmatively reduce existing and avoid new administrative and regulatory constraints beyond the foundations necessary for the maintenance of the rule of law and sustaining property rights.”

Regulations in the Pandemic

In other words, policymakers should find ways to ease the path of entrepreneurs towards success instead of creating so many restrictive regulations. With the coronavirus pandemic, it becomes more necessary to have fewer regulations.
Weeks go by, and the plan to reopen America seems far-fetched. New positive cases emerge, and the country reaches record numbers. Many entrepreneurs find themselves way below breaking even, paying much more money than the one they are getting (if they are getting any at all).
Some entrepreneurs started their businesses just before the pandemic struck. They took hazardous moves: investments to prepare the location, expensive licenses to perform certain jobs, courses to improve their skills and get certified, transportation, marketing. And many did this by taking loans. Loans that they have to pay back with interest.
Others, on the other hand, were already established businesses. But some of these had their problems: they were reinvesting their money to conduct repairs or to improve the services they provide.

Final words about Entrepreneurship and Regulations

Customers pay, but only a small percentage of it goes to the providers. A substantial portion of the money goes away to pay taxes, permits, licenses, and employees. It also goes to the hands of the very people who are keeping business owners from growing faster and better.
Regulators and policymakers are paid, theoretically, to keep the order and avoid chaos. Instead, they keep entrepreneurs from growing by placing more regulations and making them pay more money and go through more legal paperwork.

Entrepreneurs, jugglers, high-risk professionals, don’t let anyone deceive you: the many regulations are only in the way for you to conquer your dreams.

Spotlight: Brand your Business with Odette Photo+Art

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Odette Photo+Art is a Miami family and branding photographer. In Utility Avenue’s weekly spotlight, she shares her journey.

Odette Photo+Art
Odette Photo+Art, by Sven Malojlo

Who is Odette Photo+Art?

Odette Photo+Art is a Miami based business, specializing in family and brand photography. My photography is known for documenting real connections and emotions. 

How was Odette Photo+Art born?

In 2007, I got my first point-and-shoot camera and started documenting the lives of those around me.
In 2017, I started photographing my friend’s children on the weekends, and then, one day, it was not a hobby anymore.
That’s how Odette Photo + Art was born.
Today, I am a photographer, an artist, a storyteller, an entrepreneur, a dreamer, and a doer.

What were the main challenges?

Taking a photograph is just a beginning.
At first, I didn’t know anything about running a profitable business. When you are a solopreneur, you wear way too many hats. Becoming an entrepreneur and artist has been a journey. As a result, I have spent countless nights studying business, marketing, and sales. 
Learning is a never-ending process. My grandfather used to say that knowledge takes no space, and that’s my mantra. 
Now I want to help others.

Who is the most supportive of your business?

I have the most supportive family and friends.
My sister, my niece, and my mom are my muses, and my friends cheer up for me. They believe in me.
Without their unwavering support, I wouldn’t have been able to build two businesses from the ground up.
Family pictures
My family. My everything.

How did you become a brand photographer?

I started with family photography, and I love it! There is something extraordinary about being invited into a family to document who they are. But there is also a need for businesses everywhere to create a brand that clearly communicates why they do what they do.

What makes you different from the business across the street who does the same kind of business, but cheaper?

YOU.

You make the whole difference. Simon Sinek said it: “People don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.“
I can help you create a compelling brand that sells while you sleep.

My mission is to document life and to help entrepreneurs have a thriving business.

 

branding

What’s branding photography?

 Branding photography is the visual representation of you and your business. It establishes and enhances your brand through professional images that show your character, what it’s like to work with you, and what makes you and your business unique.
Odette Photo+Art Branding Photography
Collage HairStudio @collagehairstudiomiami

Why is it essential for a business?

Branding photography makes it a breeze for customers and future clients to know you and your brand.
You can use your on-brand photographs to enhance your online presence.
– Website
– Social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest)
– Email campaigns, newsletters, and email signatures
Or in traditional marketing materials:
– Print collateral (business cards, brochures, direct mail, sales sheet, flyers, magazines, newspapers)
– Sales pitches or presentations
– Press releases
The options are limitless.
Cut specialist @lopez_cut_

What future projects does Odette Photo+Art have?

I have teamed up with brilliant minds. We are creating a virtual assistance agency to add marketing services to my branding photography packages. Additionally, we are creating a magazine to promote the work of local entrepreneurs.
I also want to create a magazine to promote female entrepreneurs.
Odette Photo+Art Branding
Evan Carmichael, Youtuber, thought leader and serial entrepreneur from #BelieveNation @evancarmichael

What would you advice to other entrepreneurs?

Coronavirus has changed the way we face the world. We have had to pivot and find new ways to keep our businesses afloat.
Use this downtime wisely:
  • Read.
  • Learn something new every day.
  • Work on your website, on your client experience, on your offers.
Never stop honing your craft. Become so great at what you do that people think of you as the only choice to hire in your area of expertise.
Also, stay healthy. Wash your hands and practice social distancing. It might be painful now, but it won’t last forever. It will get better.
Odette Photo+Art
Helen Licea @helenlicea_ @helenliceaphotos

If you were to define Odette Photo+Art in one sentence, how would you do it?

Odette Photo+Art documents who you are.
branding

How would you describe your experience with Utility Avenue?

My business was waiting for a platform like Utility Avenue to thrive. It makes advertising and creating real connections with my clients a breeze. Utility Avenue is the beginning of a new era. It will make a difference in your business as it did with mine.

Odette Photo+Art’s Contact Info

Website: https://www.odettephotoart.com/
Phone: 239-600-9019
Email: contact@odettephotoart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odettephotoart/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/odettephotoart/
Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odettephotoart/

Branding Photography Packages available.

_______________________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

What’s the Impact of the Free Economy?

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Impact of the free economy market.

The free market is one of the biggest reasons for the growth of national economies and the global economy. Although it has been demonized, the free market contributes to the development of society and the empowerment of individuals. 

Pursuing a free market is a way for governments to relinquish some of the control they have over the economy of their nation. A free market will mean less government control, less red tape, and more empowerment for individuals, groups, and communities. At the same time, it means more net earnings for the people who get the job done.

Last week, we discuss the need for a digital free economy but how does the free market impact society?

How does the free market impact society?

History does not record a single country getting development without a free market.

There are undeniable examples such as South and North Korea, as well as the Federal and the Democratic Republic of Germany. After the war, those countries were divided into two: one with a free market and one with a centralized economy. Both sides started from the very same point of development, with similar human resources and equivalent natural resources. The results were evident: Volkswagen, BMW, Siemens, Adidas, Nestlé, Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Kia. As we can see, the free market enriched and liberated citizens, whereas a centralized economy impoverished them and restricted their freedom.

A centralized economy imposes excessive control over big industries, leaving little to no room for small businesses to thrive and develop. In the process, private companies receive high taxes and very few guarantees, and the growth of the economy slows down. Workers in the big industries don’t make enough money, as the government pays their salaries. Also, they don’t have enough incentive for better production.

Countries with free market economies

market economies

The following were all socialist countries, with centralized economies, and they developed after freeing the economy: Czech Republic (2009), Slovakia (2009), Slovenia (2010), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2016) and Lithuania (2019). Another interesting element is the response to Covid-19. The countries with the highest indexes of economic freedom, except for some, have had outstanding responses:

  1. Hong Kong, 0.5% of deaths
  2. Singapore, 0.05%
  3. New Zealand, 1.43%
  4. Switzerland, 5%
  5. Australia, 1.2%

Impact of the free economy market.

The free market empowers the individual.

It also minimizes social frictions. Aunt Jemima, being black, had her pancake debut in 1889, and in 1915 it was the most recognized brand in the United States. Madam C. J. Walker was born in poverty, and by 1916 she was a millionaire. Although it’s generally said that she was the first black female millionaire, it actually was Annie Malone. The index of gender inequality shows how the free market promotes gender equality.

The cultural factor is another influence. It’s no surprise that eight out of the top ten are nordic countries: they are all capitalist and with high degrees of economic freedom. To confirm that, the countries with the most significant freedom are:

  1. Hong Kong
  2. Singapore, 11
  3. New Zealand, 34
  4. Switzerland, 1
  5. Australia, 25

The free market rewards those who create solutions.

It is society the one judging the effectiveness of the proposal, and the one paying its price. As a result, innovation grows indefinitely, increasing productivity and wealth generation.

impact of the free economy market

The graph shows the growth experienced with the emergence of the free market economy. In contrast, those countries or sectors that lack competence get little development. This happens even within free-market economies. Education, for instance, is usually a public benefit. As a result, it hasn’t changed most in a century, even despite the technological advances that could have boosted it.

A free economy reduces armed conflict.

A free economy, contrary to what some say, reduces armed conflict. In primitive societies, tribes would fight each other to get what they needed, until they realized they could trade. One example was the US-Mexico conflict. After the war, the US was seen as Mexico’s worst enemy. A seemingly endless hatred made Río Grande look like an ocean. How was this huge difference solved? With trade. Today, Mexico is one of the member states of NAFTA, and they all benefit from it.

The opposite of the free market is a centralized economy, in which the State has full control. Although the idea of the State being responsible for looking after its people is good, real-life shows something diametrically opposite: the states with too much power restrict freedom, increase poverty and minimize innovation and development. On top of it all, they generate costly wars. The French Revolution created the concept of Levée en masse, which is the popular mobilization to form an army. Not long after, Napoleon had his big campaigns in Europe. The States become more dangerous, the more powerful they are. Nazi Germany is another clear example of this.

A successful business within a free market economy will impact its community.

It will

  • bring service to locals
  • create new sources of employment
  • and even get involved and invest in the improvement of the living conditions of such communities.

They will ultimately help fund a new school, conduct repairs in the local hospital, or repair the streets and roads. And the more it grows, it can become a reason for the community to be proud of, and even a symbol of prosperity. 

Walmart’s headquarters are in Bentonville, Arkansas. This is a small town of about 45,000 inhabitants, but unemployment and crime are very low. It also has good schools and affordable housing. So, this is a clear example of how a free market company can have a positive impact on its community.

The free market promotes freedom.

Human rights are born in free societies.

Big centralized States often censor-free media, have significant taxes and blame those who have accumulated wealth for all social issues. This creates a sense of rivalry and contradiction between the working class (the proletariat) and small business owners (the bourgeoisie, the new bourgeoisie, or the new rich). They will pay their employees better than government-run companies or industries.

As a centralized state, there will barely be any criticism about those issues, because all the mainstream media will be government-controlled. Therefore, the possibility of change is slim. Significant taxes on small private businesses will be allegedly used for the development of the nation’s economy. In reality, the objective is keeping those individuals from getting too powerful or too financially independent.

The free market, on the contrary, promotes freedom of speech and thought, reduces taxes, and celebrates wealth generation and innovation. Jemima, Steve Jobs, and Alva Edison are examples of how wealth generates progress.

Final words about the impact of the free economy market

Victor Hugo said, “A day will come when there will be no battlefields, but markets opening to commerce and minds opening to ideas.” The free market is aiming for peace and more development based on ideas and innovation.

A centralized economy will continue to stagnate. This happens, mainly, because such governments tend to become totalitarian, and the citizens will be in a permanent obligation of obedience towards the State so they don’t lose their jobs.

A free-market economy, on the other hand, will grow and strive for a better well being for its citizens. It will grant people full control of their lives and their destiny, and they will depend less on the government. In other words, they will have true freedom.

Transform Your Side Hustle into a Thriving, Profitable Business

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Transform Your Side Hustle into a Thriving, Profitable Business, by Sarah Rose

Sarah Rose is a worldwide business coach that uses a blend of mindset and business strategy to empower entrepreneurial-minded women  In Utility Avenue’s weekly spotlight, she shares insights on how to transform your side hustle into a thriving, profitable business.

Sarah rose on how to transform your side hustle into a thriving profitable business. 

Are you tired of doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result, but nothing alters? Are you using old-fashioned tactics and forcing your content, hoping someone will resonate and reach out to you, but you’re getting crickets? Are you losing the passion for the side hustle you thought was going to be lucrative but is getting zero ROI on your time and the money you invested in starting up? 

I GET IT.

I was there too, throwing spaghetti at the walls, roaming around in the dark, wondering when and if this thing was EVER GOING TO TAKE OFF. 

So what would it be worth for you to pivot your thinking and decide that this is no longer a side hustle, this is your business? And start treating it like one!

When I realized that all these other women out there could figure out how to earn five, six, even seven or eight figures building a business online, then I could do the same! And it’s definitely possible for you, too!

I learned that getting a mentor was the ONLY shortcut to success. So I took a giant step back from my business to invest in courses, programs, mentors, and coaches who could teach me how to cut my learning curve and frustration in half and get where I wanted to go faster. 

Get a mentor

Even though I didn’t have the money at the beginning, I found it. I sold things around my house on FB marketplace, in groups, and on Craigslist. I borrowed. I created online products I could sell. I tapped into my resourcefulness and did whatever I had to do to make it happen. Because life is short, I have big goals and dreams that need accomplishing, and no time for excuses. 

So if I had it to do all over again, I would have made my first step in hiring a Business Coach or Mentor.

Then get super clear on the bigger vision for your life and business. Know where you want to go so you can reverse engineer and map out your plan to get there. How much is your dream lifestyle going to cost you monthly? Do your research so you know exactly what it’s going to take to become the woman who can be, do and have it all. 

Identify who your ideal client is and the problem you solve

It’s important to niche down so that your message resonates with your target audience. If you’re trying to message to everyone, it gets diluted, and you end up reaching no one. Once you have clarity on this, your content will flow from your heart and soul, speaking to the person you would love to work with. You’re building the like-know-and-trust factor, which is attraction marketing at it’s finest. You’ll have friend requests pouring in with leads in your inbox asking how they can work with you instead of the other way around.

Content is king

And when it comes to content, don’t be afraid to share your story and the journey you’re on. People buy people, not companies, products, or services. Stories and images can go a thousand miles, and when you show your vulnerability and behind the scenes of your life as an entrepreneur, you’re creating relatability with your dream clients.

Make sure to clean up your profile and news feed—no drunk photos at the bar; no political or religious posts or conspiracy theories. No spam. Only elegant images and clear content, adding value as to how you can help others. The more value you can add, the more your audience will see you as the expert in your field and want to work with you. Add more value than you think you should!

Get clear about the mission that you’re on

Your mission is the driving force behind your business. It’s bigger than you. It’s your purpose, the reason why you’re here.

Establish your tagline

This is your 8-second elevator pitch when someone asks what you do. Make sure this is in your bio and cover photo so that when your ideal client comes to your page, they know exactly what to expect. If your audience can’t understand right away what you do, they’ll get confused and go somewhere else.

Create a beautiful brand that stands out

Create a beautiful brand that stands out over the noise on social media, and keep all content on-brand. Everything you do online and offline should scream your fabulousness and why your ideal client would want to work with you over anyone else. What sets you apart from everyone else? Capitalize on your gifts, and you’ll get paid just for being you.

Have a DMO 

A DMO (Daily Method of Operation) allows you to show up consistently all day every day, gaining more visibility and engagement than ever before. When you’re on purpose, and you have a business plan for your social media, you’ll make even more of an impact.

Network and build relationships

Network and build relationships with others in your industry who can lift you higher. There are so many incredible opportunities to collaborate and widen your reach, be open to ideas, and making new connections. Come from abundance and prosperity rather than a competitive lack mentality. There is enough out there for all of us.

Learn marketing

You’ll need to learn modern marketing strategies and techniques which can be super scary and daunting in the beginning. But once you open your mind to the possibilities, lean in and trust the process, you may just find yourself falling in love with the journey as you tap into your creative zone of genius!

Final thoughts to transform your side hustle into a profitable business. 

More than anything, if you’re not having fun, then you’re not doing it right. A few tweaks can make all the difference. So pivot if you must, but don’t ever ever quit. Because you are always on the right path, and your success is inevitable.

how to transform your side hustle into a thriving profitable business

If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic, you can find Sarah Rose at www.sarahroseglobal.com or book in a free hour consultation at www.calendly.com/sarahroseglobal.

__________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week.
For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Weekly Spotlight.