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Category Archives: Small Business

ChatGPT can Help Small Business

Posted on April 4, 2023 - 8:50 am by

ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, could resolves your questions or prompts faster than current technology. Did you know ChatGPT can help small business? The technology gained more than 1 million subscribers in less than 5 days. ChatGPT wants to revolutionize the way users answer questions, and could make Googling questions a thing of the past.

Uncovering the Power of Artifical Intelligence

There are many unknowns about the potential of the technology. Could you utilize this new AI technology on your website to reduce the significant load by fielding commonly asked questions about your business operations, hours, and the general scope of the work you provide? Open up your time from responding to redundant questions that don’t necessarily turn into leads. Your time opened up equals more money. Not sold on artificial intelligence yet? You’ll find the technology all around us, from Amazon Alexa speakers, Google Home, and even on your cell phone with Siri.

So, how does ChatGPT play into all of this and could it really replace Google? The logistics of how the ChatGPT model could work for the end user proves relatively simple. Create an account with OpenAI and use the search bar within the chat box for your questions. If a simple resolution can be provided to any question, ChatGPT would prove invaluable. If the bulk of users to your site bring complex needs and quotes, the technology could, over time, garner results that would align with more informed responses.

ChatGPT – Inherent Security Risks to AI Technology

Accuracy brings this technology under fire, especially since its launch in November of 2022. It is wise to use discernment from a distance as inaccuracies get siphoned out over time. Make smart decisions with all technology you incorporate into your daily life, as these “smart” devices continue to saturate your local big box stores. The paradigm shift ChatGPT could bring into business operations and their efficiency could be phenomenal if the technology stands alone.

Additionally, there are some inherent security risks to artificial intelligence technology, such as sometimes inaccurate or unrelated answers, but the AI can adjust for these mistakes moving forward. Security vulnerabilities can be exploited. Research results are still being conducted on the viability of ChatGPT to protect against the exposure of vulnerable information.

Answering Questions with ChatGPT

P.S. We polished this blog post (written by a human by the way) however we wanted to also ask ChatGPT directly these questions and see what they came up with. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the AI-powered tool. If we are going to write about this technology, why not use the tool? So here we go!

ChatGPT can help small business. Graphic of Heather at Transcend Ideas asking a question to the AI Chatbot. "What are advantages of using ChatGPT as a tool for small business?" Answer: "As a language model, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for small businesses. Here are some advantages: 1. Customer service, 2. 24/7 availability, 3. Cost-effective, 4. Personalization, 5. Data Analysis"
ChatGPT can help small business, here are some advantages

ChatGPT represents a large language model created by OpenAI. This software, based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, allows the generation of human-like responses to a wide range of queries and topics. Essentially, this technology provides an AI-powered chatbot that can engage in natural language conversations with users.

As for the advantages for one to use ChatGPT for their small businesses, there are several:

Advantages of ChatGPT
  1. Customer Service: ChatGPT could spotlight as a virtual customer service representative. The service answers customer questions and addresses concerns in real-time. This helps reduce the workload of human customer service agents and improve customer satisfaction.
  2. 24/7 Availability: ChatGPT can operate 24/7, providing support to customers even outside of business hours. This ensures that customers can always get the help they need, which can lead to increased customer loyalty.
  3. Cost-effective: ChatGPT provides a cost-effective solution for small businesses, as the need for hiring additional customer service representatives disappears or investing in expensive software. ChatGPT integrates into existing communication channels, such as websites or social media platforms, with minimal setup and maintenance costs.
  4. Personalization: ChatGPT could be trained to recognize customers and personalize responses based on their preferences and purchase history. This can help improve customer engagement and lead to increased sales.
  5. Data Analysis: Analyze customer data and provide insights to improve marketing strategies and customer experiences. This can help small businesses make informed decisions and stay competitive in their industry.

Overall, ChatGPT could be a powerful tool that can help small businesses! Improve your customer service, increase efficiency, and save costs with ChatGPT. This solution could be worth considering as part of your overall business strategy!

ChatGPT can help small business. Graphic of Heather at Transcend Ideas asking a question to the AI Chatbot. "What are disadvantages of using ChatGPT as a tool for small business?" Answer: "While ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for small businesses, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider: 1. Lack of Human Touch, 2. Limited Contextual Understanding, 3. Training and Maintenance, 4. Data Security, 5. Technical Issues"
ChatGPT can help small business, but there are some disadvantages
Disadvantages of ChatGPT

Here are a few:

  1. Lack of Human Touch: While ChatGPT can provide quick and efficient support, some customers may still prefer speaking with a human representative for more complex issues or emotional support. Depending on your business model and customer base, relying solely on ChatGPT may not be the best option.
  2. Limited Contextual Understanding: ChatGPT may not always fully understand the context of a customer’s question or request, which could result in inaccurate or irrelevant responses. ChatGPT lacks the ability to understand nuances in language, social cues, and emotional tone that human representatives pick up on.
  3. Training and Maintenance: While ChatGPT remains a cost-effective solution. It requires significant investment in training and maintenance to ensure the software operates at optimal performance. This includes regular updates to the training data, monitoring for accuracy, and making adjustments as necessary.
  4. Data Security: Since ChatGPT, an AI-powered tool, poses a significant risk of data breaches or unauthorized access to customer information exists. Small businesses must ensure they have proper security protocols in place to protect customer data and privacy.
  5. Technical Issues: Like any technology, ChatGPT remains subject to technical glitches and malfunctions. This can result in delays or downtime, which could negatively impact customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Overall, while ChatGPT can provide many benefits. It’s important to weigh the potential disadvantages and ensure that it aligns with your business goals and customer needs. It’s important to carefully consider whether ChatGPT proves to be the right tool for your business and to invest in the necessary resources to ensure its success.

—- 

Would you use the new AI-powered ChatGPT? We don’t know where the future of AI will take us in the marketing world, but we are here for it! Impressed with how ChatGPT can help small business? Contact Transcend Ideas to discuss if ChatGPT is an option that could benefit your professional goals. Let’s stay curious, together.

Google Analytics 4: Understanding the Customer Journey

Posted on March 17, 2023 - 11:52 pm by

Have you heard of the next big wave in consumer analytics tracking?

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) takes us into an exciting time for marketing and sales professionals. GA4 allows us to dive deeper into our understanding of consumer behavior. GA4 allows us to analyze key items in the life cycle of an event measuring value by, what content engages a user to come to the site initially, what leads to abandoned shopping carts, and more. Being able to understand the customer journey more intimately will allow marketers to discover what trends consumers are looking for in their digital experience and better serve them.

We live in the digital age and with that comes ever-changing regulations and security protocols. End users are making more demands for control of their privacy. Users demand privacy on how their data becomes used, tracked, and stored on websites. The amount of data generated and available across websites and apps is staggering and constantly increasing.

Google Analytics 4 logo on computer image

There needed to be a new solution to account for this. GA4 creates instant web and app property data. App and website data will now measure using event-based (any specific occurrence on a website) rather than session-based data. This allows us to isolate many events across a user’s experience on a website or app, rather than one session. This provides a more complete and accurate understanding of the customer’s journey on various devices, from a brand-new site visitor to a repeat customer. The data and insights we now can pull with GA4 properties allow your business to scale and work with cookie/cookieless sessions

GA4, designed to replace dated technology on Universal Analytics (UA) and Google Analytics 360 (GA360), will stop collecting data on July 1, 2023. Additionally, GA360 will stop collecting data on July 1, 2024.

A Few Key Insights on Google Analytics 4

  1. Better Tracking: With Google Analytics 4, you can track more types of user interactions on your website. Whether it be scrolling or engagement with videos. This gives you a more complete picture of how people are using your site, which can help you make improvements.
  2. Easier-to-Use Interface: The GA4 interface is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly than previous versions. This makes it easier to find the information you need and understand what it means.
  3. Enhanced Insights: Google Analytics 4 uses machine learning to provide insights into user behavior and trends. This means you can get a better understanding of what’s working on your site and what’s not, and make changes accordingly.
  4. Cross-Device Tracking: GA4 allows you to track users across multiple devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This is becoming increasingly important as more people use multiple devices to access the internet.
  5. Future-Proofing: Google Analytics 4 is designed to be more flexible and adaptable to changes in technology and user behavior. This means you’ll be better equipped to keep up with changes in the digital landscape. By doing this, you can stay ahead of the competition.

Overall, Google Analytics 4 is a powerful tool that can help you make data-driven decisions to improve your website and grow your business.

Getting Started

Getting started with GA4 is easy for any small business owner. It requires only getting an account set up and adding the tracking code to your website. After this, it’s all about setting up conversions and determining what items are most important to you for measuring. What is a conversion? They are any measurable event or action the user takes on your website, including page views, filling out forms, buying products, and more. There are more reports than ever available with the launch of GA4 from general overview reports to more in-depth items on customer engagement, monetization, and acquisition. Read more from MonsterInsights on how to get started with GA4 on your WordPress site, conversions, and the reports available to you.

We can’t wait to see what the next few years have in store for analytics. All the insights are immediately at the fingertips of marketing and sales departments all over the globe. What are you going to track first? What strategic decisions are you hoping to make for your business? Email us at hello@transcendideas.com today to learn how we can help you make the transition to the latest technology available in analytics tracking with Google Analytics 4!

Coming up Dry with Content Writing?

Posted on January 27, 2023 - 3:27 pm by

Are you having a dry spell?

It happens. Where trying to come up with new content can take time and effort. Are you coming up dry with content writing? Here are some excellent ways to help ignite inspiration in writing content for your business:

  • Tell a story out of the personal experience
  • Refocus on your goals – ask yourself what’s important to share to stay in alignment with your messaging
  • Utilize a subject you came across in your news feed and put your unique twist on it
  • Create Google Alerts – you’ll receive an email any time that particular keyword or keyphrase comes across the headlines (blog, articles, videos)
  • Revisit old content – rinse and recycle it like it’s new again!
  • Stay inspired – read a book, have a conversation, listen to a podcast, and let it sink in and inspire you!
List for content ideas from Transcend ideas. "Coming up dry with content writing? Tell a story, refocus on your goals, put your special twist on something, Google Alerts - use keyphrases on subjects of interest, revisit old content - rinse and recycle it."

Even this blog post helped me reignite some ideas for blog posts and social media posts in 2023! Jot down your content ideas and spread them out over time. Set a goal to share content with your audience, in order to keep engagement alive. They want to hear from you and what you have to share. Here are some ways to keep your content marketing flowing smoothly:

 Formula to Follow for Content Marketing

  1. Outline the subject matter with lists; everyone loves a good digestible list!
  2. Reference videos or audio to help your reader tie it all together (short form video “reel” or TikTok to touch on your key points)
  3. Short form writing (5-7 mins read), people are busy..
  4. Supportive graphics adapted for social media with Canva
  5. Use Grammarly to proofread your writing (God knows I need it)
  6. Reinforce your images with Alternative text to ensure your content is more accessible and strong captions for your posts but not too long, keep it short and sweet with CTA to read more and sign-up
  7. A clear CTA (call-to-action) at the end of the writing with what to do with this information they just read
  8. Automate your social media posts and reference to the content
  9. Use relevant hashtags but don’t overload on them
  10. Don’t shy away from 🔥emojis, if I’m writing on my desktop I utilize emojipedia.org

Get inspired: Inspiring podcast episode from NPR Life Kit that might help ignite some curiosity in your personal branding.

We all have times when we feel we are coming up dry with content writing. Get back into creating with some curiosity, have some fun, and speak authentically.

Stay tuned for more content that may help with your messaging.

Topics we cover: Marketing | Branding | Case Studies | People

Canva is a Business Lifesaver

Posted on December 2, 2022 - 5:29 pm by

If you are unfamiliar with Canva, let me help enlighten you. And if you already know about Canva, then you’ll be nodding your head in agreement with how much this platform is an ultimate business lifesaver.

I have worked on this platform for many years. I must say now I might as well be a spokeswoman for them. They have been THE tool I use for my supporting graphics for my clients and for my business and non-profit purposes. The free version I coasted on for years, and ever since I began my business, I knew I wanted to pay for Canva Pro that unlocked more features that make my creative flow that much easier.

My Top 10 Reasons you should be utilizing Canva:

  1. Branding your Canva experience – Hone your colors and fonts so you can utilize them with ease between design projects. Read this article and watch the video by Canva on brand building
  2. Draw inspiration from Canva templates – Templates are there to inspire your creation but be sure to change it enough, so it looks different from the template you began with. A regular Canva users can spot a template a mile away.
  3. Pull in Elements that would help compliment your graphic – Shapes, illustrations, photo frames, animated gifs, photo collages, etc.
  4. Keep colors consistent – Use the eyedropper; also, notice anything you uploaded in the canvas will pick up on the colors in your design; trust me a great feature you should take advantage of! Read the article and watch the video by Canva on your brand colors
  5. Share with your team – You can share your design templates with your team so they can review/modify as necessary.
  6. Animate!!!! – You can animate your whole design, change the duration of the animation, the animation effect, and you can even animate from one page to another to create a compelling story for your auidence.
  7. Alignment/centering – This might sound small, but if you don’t have your main elements centered, it can throw off the composition of the design. It takes more than dragging and clicking, it takes an eye too.
  8. Fonts! – There are so many to choose from, AND you can even upload your own fonts installed on your computer if you are still looking for a close resemblance in their font library. I will share what fonts to avoid in my opinion, so look out for that soon!
  9. Export & resize in so many different formats – pdf, jpg, png, gif, mp4, that support your use of the graphic or video. Resize your graphics for different purposes – social media, business cards, flyers, postcards/greeting cards, stickers, etc.
  10. Desktop AND App – Access to this design platform on your desktop and your app is an absolute gamechanger! This allows you to toggle between each device and post with ease.

Samples Designed by Transcend Ideas

People Spread Love Old Bill’s Fun Run (Insta Square)
GAP! Challenges Girls are Facing (Insta Square)
pARTners Old Bills Fun Run (Insta square)
Womxn Life Freedom (Insta Square)

Client graphics in use: Jackson Hole Fire and EMS, GAP!, pARTners, People Spread Love, Jackson Hole Nordic & Womxn Life Freedom.

Canva Custom Templates and Links to Purchase

I am excited to offer this new supporting graphics bundle to clients. Canva is a powerful tool that I use almost (not entirely) exclusively. To set yourself up for success for your business or non-profit, having custom-made templates ready to go is so crucial. You will have full access to these designs so you can “plug and play.” You will also obtain a training session with me. Links to this content can be purchased below.

If you need some convincing, let’s get some coffee to talk it out.
I’d be happy to send you an affiliated link to Canva so you too can be a part a solution that can generate connection through visuals for your small business or non-profit organization.

Did you know that non-profits Canva plans are FREE when registered? Apply now.

Interested in other platforms I love?
  • Adobe Creative Suite (I use this suite for larger design projects)
  • Google Workspace (Email, Sheets, Docs, Slides, Google Drive)
  • Grammarly (great grammar tool that can catch errors in your writing)
  • Asana (task manager)
  • Unsplash, Adobe Stock (stock photos)
  • WordPress (website build & management)
  • Jotform (3rd party form management)
  • Stripe (credit card processor)
  • GetEmoji.com (grab an emoji quickly and paste it into your content)
  • Wave Apps (bookkeeping application)

When You Shop Small You Support People

Posted on November 25, 2022 - 4:30 am by
Transcend Ideas Giveaway, Shop Small Support People

Let’s Celebrate Small Business Saturday

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 26th, and you’re encouraged to support the small businesses you know and admire. It could be your favorite Thai place, a gift shop, a magical massage therapist, a web designer, a dog groomer, a hairstylist, a favorite sandwich shop, or a coffeehouse. Wherever and whatever they sell or offer, they can not stand without your support. Shop small, support people.

The global pandemic was an indicator of how important the support of all of us has on the small business model, especially those that thrive as a brick-and-mortar establishments. So many small businesses had to pivot into a different model to survive the moment and the circumstance at our feet. Find more information about Small Business Saturday at the Small Business Administration site here.

Transcend Ideas small business starter pack
Transcend Ideas giveaway: post-it notes, sticker, business card & a special thank you from me!

Shop small business giveaway

Transcend Ideas is proud to offer a “Shop Small Business Giveaway” this Saturday.

Enter the giveaway by using Instagram or Facebook:

  • Take a photo/video of the item/service you purchased
  • Tag @transcendideas and the business you are supporting
  • Like our social media post and give @transcendideas a follow too

I will mail you stickers, post-it notes as a thank you by snail mail. You will be contacted by DM notifying you that you won.

When you do business with small businesses and shop small and support people.

Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?

Posted on November 8, 2022 - 11:12 pm by

I love this question because every business you see has a purpose that drives it forward. If that “WHY” isn’t asked regularly, the why may get lost in the hustle. Ask yourself:

“Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?”

If the answer doesn’t come right away, that’s okay. But keep in mind that when you can answer it immediately, you have a direct purpose in how you show up for your community. If you can’t answer that fundamental question, it may be best to take a beat and dig deeper.

You ought to audit your own business, so you don’t mission creep or grind without that purposeful “why” at the core of your offering. When we begin taking on aspects of our business that don’t align with our purpose we lose sight of that “why.” Maybe your why will shift and mature, and that’s also okay.

Here are some branching off purpose-driven questions to consider thinking about:

  • Who do you serve?
  • Why do you serve them?
  • What drives you to serve them?
  • What motivates you to continue serving them and others like them?
  • Are you asking your audience what they want and need so you can improve your work?
  • Do you feel fulfilled in helping your audience achieve in their business?
  • If not, why? And how can you shift that attitude?
  • Are you excited about the work you do and the serve you provide others?
  • Are you continually learning about your industry? Are you keeping that door open? Or have you closed that door to continual personal/professional growth?

Transcend Ideas – People Centered

Our brand, Transcend Ideas, in my mind, is purpose-driven because we serve small businesses and non-profits to amplify their meaningful message through branding and marketing strategy. What amplifying means to me is to tell their story. People’s stories are interesting. I began this company because I care about people and the communities they serve. I will continue to ask myself that significant “WHY” so I don’t lose sight as we learn and grow as a company.

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.

Albert Schweitzer

Patagonia – Planet Earth Centered

Patagonia is a company that I had respected for a long time, even before their CEO, Yvon Chouinard recently announced a shift with Patagonia and their efforts to combat the climate crisis in a huge way. More explanation here. Patagonia has stood for sustainability since the company’s inception 50 years ago. They hooked me in when I realized they’d repair your gear if you mail them in, and if they can’t improve them, they will replace it with brand-new Patagonia gear all together.

Earth is now our only shareholder.

If we have any hope of a thriving planet—much less a business—it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is what we can do.

-Yvon Chouinard

Clubhouse Conversation:

Come join the conversation on Clubhouse, if you don’t have the App downloaded you can still listen to the conversation in your browser. You can listen back to this conversation if you missed it all together. I love to engage in conversation with people all over the country and the world as that’s when the richest conversations happen.

“Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?”

Monday, November 14th

at 11 am MST / 9 am EST

Listen to the Conversation

Traditional Marketing Ideas (Clubhouse/Spaces)

Posted on October 3, 2022 - 9:45 am by

I was in a Clubhouse room called: “Old School Marketing” and it blew me away how important going back to basics in your marketing truly is. Check out the next set of audio rooms I will be hosting on this very topic in the coming weeks. In the meantime here are some ideas to stew on..

Traditional Marketing Ideas:

In no particular order of course, but consider these ideas to implement:

  • Word-of-mouth
  • Schedule a cup of coffee or lunch with a work colleague, even your competition to discuss business
  • Mailers
  • Handouts (flyers, rack cards, business cards)
    • Pin up in bulletin boards! – Make a list of these locales that accept those physical marketing tools
  • Stickers (clever approach – catchphrase, coolness)
  • Showing support for a charity/nonprofit organization
    • A certain % of sales goes to charity in a certain time frame
    • Sponsor an event or a sport in your town/city
  • Join the Chamber of Commerce – make connections, take advantage of ALL they offer you!
  • Contests for all ages (art, name mascot, etc.)
  • Handwritten thank you notes
  • Thank you gifts for your bigger clients
  • Exclusive sales to your most loyal customers
  • Holiday cards
  • Networking
  • In-person events – Hold in-person workshops (educate, inform, engage – build trust)
  • Community calendars for events you are hosting
  • Print ads in local newspapers
  • In-store signs (sandwich boards)
  • Takeaways: Bumper stickers, stickers, branded water bottles
  • Name tags – custom name tags, wear your logo and name (perhaps pronouns too) to remind people what you are about!
  • Movie theatre ads – Slides or videos of local businesses
  • Post-it notes – custom couple with your business card (good leave behinds)
traditional marketing ideas

Photo by Marissa Grootes on Unsplash

“Create social proof through that localize medium!”

Heather Cox
traditional marketing ideas

“Tried and True” Marketing Ideas

Going back to the “tried and true” methods of marketing can be just what you needed to revitalize your connection with your audience. I am all for digital marketing, it’s predominately what I do but there is something to be said for that personal touch to make a connection. When we build relationships we are developing trust and communicating and we can’t always lean into digital technology to do that.

These marketing ideas are meant to be approached “in tandem” with digital marketing! Don’t discount the basics and ask yourself what you can you use in Q4 and what could you utilize in your marketing strategy for 2023.

Join the Traditional Marketing Ideas Conversation

Join Heather for a Clubhouse Room AND Twitter Spaces on “Old School Marketing Ideas.” All conversations will be recorded so you can listen in at a later time to learn a bit here and there. We will not be focusing on digitally marketing.

Clubhouse
“Old Skool Marketing for Biz and Nonprofits”
Wed, Oct 19th at 11:15 am MDT

Listen to the Replay

Twitter Spaces
“Old Skool Marketing”
Wed, Nov 2 at 11:30 am MDT

Join Twitter Spaces

Seasonality is Everything

Posted on September 27, 2022 - 10:28 am by

As the seasonality around us changes, we also change! Humans are not separate from what you see happening in nature, in fact, we are in sync. It’s important to acknowledge change and work with it both for your personal growth and your business growth.

A pile of autumn leaves

ch-ch-changes

Change is inevitable

The seasons change and so do our businesses and the services and products we offer our audience. There is a shift in preparation as we polish off Q3 and enter Q4.

Whether your business is based on the seasons or you offer services all year round we want to get you thinking about your messaging to your audience.

Here are some seasonal topics to consider when you enter into Q4 and items to consider for seasonality:

  • Autumn/Fall – the parallels of the shift outside and inside ourselves, preparation for the winter months
  • Winter – hunkering down in those cold temperatures, what do you need to do that and live comfortably?
  • Black Friday – What kind of offerings can you provide for your followers considering doing business with you.
  • Holidays – Celebration of family, friends and community, unifying messages
  • Thankfulness – Reflecting on what you are thankful for in your life
  • Gift Giving – Gift ideas and pairing/bundling products to make a “spa gift bundle” for example and price accordingly
  • Giving Tuesdays – Tuesday, November 29 and give to a non-profit organization that you vibe with
  • New Year 2023 – Newness and renewal to look forward for your personal growth and goals
    • New Year Resolutions
    • New Business Ventures
    • Turning a New Leaf
Autumn leaves hung on a string with the color spectrum

seasonal topics

"All ideas grow out of other ideas." - Anish Kapoor quote written on a staircase

Shifting in priority and life-changes reflected in how we behave

Your customers shift and change naturally as their priorities and lives change, similar to seasonality changes. Here are some other topics to consider addressing in your messaging to reflect back to them based on some 2022 projected trends.

  • Healthy relationships
  • Time management
  • Managing money
  • Home improvement projects
  • Start your own business/side hustle
  • Travel Wishlist
  • Life balance
  • Body positivity
  • Celebrate differently
  • Bucket list
  • Self-love/self-care

Consider using Pinterest.

It’s a search engine and NOT a social media platform. When the platform began, I used to collect ideas for planning my wedding, finding new recipes, scoping mom hacks, things for the baby, decorating my house, etc. It’s STILL that, but it’s also a place for folks to discover new products and services and find ways to show up better in their lives. See what Pinterest image/video sizes to use when you share your pins so they stand out among the other pins. Certainly the pins that standout the most are the animated/video ones. Follow our Pinterest, you’ll see more from us soon!

Check out Jana O. Media; she is a Pinterest pro, and I greatly respect her hard work and know-how! I have learned a lot from her expertise in her Masterclass and her Clubhouse rooms she moderates.

The Pinterest icon floating in a red background

consider using pinterest

In conclusion, embrace the change and get started on that content marketing. Your audience wants to follow along with you on what your season looks like and how they can engage with you.

  1. Featured image/ Autumn in the Tetons – Photo by Bryn Gibson on Unsplash
  2. Autumn leaves – Photo by Alex Motoc on Unsplash
  3. Autumn leaves on a string – Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash
  4. Anish Kapoor quote – Photo by CJ Dayrit on Unsplash
  5. Floating Pinterest icon – Photo by Dima Solomin on Unsplash

Websites for your Business to Meet Your Unique Needs (Clubhouse)

Posted on September 14, 2022 - 12:28 pm by

Websites for your Business to Meet Your Unique Needs

I am a 90’s kid, so you can imagine how much technology has changed since the dial-up age. I have witnessed so much technology over the years, and one thing that has evolved is websites! We still need them, but the function has changed, the language has changed, how we utilize them has changed, and frankly behaviors have changed.

We hope with this conversation it will help you consider how to take an informed approach to websites for your business and keeping your consumers in mind. Much of what frightens business owners is that they don’t know where to start and they want to make the right choice. We hope to reassure you CAN make choices on your own and decide what’s best for YOU and your business. You don’t have it have it all figured out up front but you can phase in new versions of the site as your business grows. Think of it as Apple software updates coming, that number incrementally grows with each upgrade. Begin with 1.0 and move forward from there. We hope you will absorb some helpful tips and resources that you’ll takeaway from this conversation.

Heather DeVine and Heather Cox have 32 years combined of website experience! Eekkk..

Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

Websites for your business

Ask yourself: what do I want my website to do for me?

  • informative (list services, products, blog)
  • e-commerce (sales – product or services)
  • booking appointments (calendar dependent)
  • donations (take ’em)
  • build email marketing audience (sign-up forms)
  • combo of needs

Shop for websites that may work for you/your business

  • WordPress
  • Squarespace
  • Shopify
  • Wix

Hey, Non-profits, did you know..

With your non-profit status you can get most platform access for FREE or heavily discounted!

  • Google Workspace (FREE)
  • Canva (FREE)
  • Jotform (50% off)
  • Grammarly (FREE)

Other things to consider in tandem with the website:

  • SEO (Search engine optimization) – Keep in mind that search engines need to find you so you can gain traction with your #1 asset online, your website!
  • Google listing (listing for your business)
  • Social media (Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok)
  • Lead generating forms
  • Email Marketing (e-newletters are a huge way to communicate with our audience)
  • Google Analytics (metrics to track activity on your website)
  • Accessibility- Web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities (WAVE – audit for accessibility)
  • Mobile friendly (a MUST – that’s how most visitors are utilizing to find you)
Platforms I LOVE:
  • Google Workspace (Email, Sheets, Docs, Slides, Google Drive)
  • Canva (graphic needs)
  • Grammarly (great grammar tool that can catch errors in your writing)
  • Asana (task manager)
  • Unsplash, Adobe Stock (stock photos)
  • Jotform (3rd party form management)
  • Stripe (credit card processor)
  • Wave Apps (bookkeeping application)
“Websites for your business” conversation on the Clubhouse App

Some website takeaways:

  • Your website is living and breathing, not just a one and done!
  • Ease of use is everything! Clear CTA (call-to-action)
  • Shop by demoing sites to make sure the needs you have are met (help centers with reps to walk you through questions)
  • Word-of-mouth is powerful, ask your friends what they use
  • Consider hiring creative agency’s help or a freelancer, we can’t do everything at a business owner
  • One platform isn’t supposed to meet ALL your needs
  • Look at reviews of platforms out there, I use Capterra.com
  • Remember, your needs will shift and flex based on your business or organization
listen to the replay of our conversation

Co-moderators:

Heather DeVine w/ Transcend Ideas – Marketing and branding agency serving nonprofits and small businesses. (Jackson, WY)

Heather Cox w/ Heather Cox Codes – Website designer, SEO, and social media marketing. (Wilmington, DE) Watch her TEDx Talk (#RIPBossBabe)

What does community mean to you?

Posted on August 19, 2022 - 12:40 pm by

What does community mean to you? That’s an excellent question to consider at any stage of our lives. The word has a different meaning based on our priorities and when the question is asked. You would have received two different answers if you asked the 28-year-old me versus the 38-year-old me.

What does community mean to you? Toys of all nationalities by a globe.

Community can be explored in different lenses, here are a few to observe:

  • Geography (city, state, region)
  • Identity (how you identify yourself)
    • Gender
    • Race
    • Sexuality
    • Marital status
    • Parents/caregiver
    • Age/time in life
    • Health
    • Ability
    • Culture
    • Occupation
    • Business owner
    • Religion/spirituality
    • Politics
  • Affinity (shared interest)
    • Support groups
    • Sports/Recreation
    • Hobbies
    • Animal lover

My definition of a community is just that, ALL of them. Wherever I find that human connection, I feel like THAT is community. If you look at the word community, the latin root is the word “common” and then “unity.” So community is people coming together because they have something in common.

What makes me curious about the term community is the power of that unity. There was a video the other day of a group of strangers coming together to help flip a car that was upside down after a car accident. Fifteen people cooperated to flip the car and get the person out of the vehicle. That’s just one example of when there is a shared intent and action taken together.

The community can bring many unexpected people together for something like a movement or a belief. When we deeply identify and root ourselves in a society, we can make beautiful things happen that bring people together in a real positive way.

What does community mean to you? Come as you are Transcend ideas inclusive image.

How can business/nonprofits stand by community?

Businesses are uniquely positioned to lean into the community. Money is an excellent way for a company to say, “hey, I care about this thing” however businesses can also:

  • Host a fundraiser event to house a cause they care about.
  • A special campaign with a certain percentage of their earnings go towards an organization.
  • Sponsor an events, causes, and/or organizations to show their support.
  • Sell swag and/or share info to build awareness of a shared interest or cause.

Nonprofit organizations already serve community and many of them team together with others to further deepen their work and their reach. It’s a natural thing to want nonprofits to link arms and make an impact together.

What does community mean to you? Old Bill's Fun Run philanthropic event.

Old Bill’s Fun Run – 25th Year of this Philanthropic Event

This rather anticipated event every September in Jackson Hole, Wyoming has now raised $208 million philanthropic dollars for nonprofit organizations. Each donation is then matched, deepening the impact of those serving the Jackson Hole community. This right here is a philanthropic event I care about with 200+ participating nonprofits that are all well deserving of gifts of support for the work they provide the community.

Figgie's deli + market logo with dog
Figgie’s Deli & Market

When community is top of mind..

One client, Figgie’s named their Deli & Market after their beloved dog. The main logo is not the dog however. They decided to use it as their secondary logo, a portrait of Figgie (the dog) has been logged away to be used when they decide to show their outward support of animal adoption and rescue efforts. They are already looking ahead into how they want to show their support for community even prior to officially opening their doors.

However you decide to define community in your own life as a business owner or nonprofit, keep an open-mind to possibilities of that community expanding and changing as your priorities and likes change.