Ask an Expert: How Influencers Can Keep Their Business Thriving While Social Distancing
The key? Serve a bigger purpose.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Idalia Salsamendi
If the coronavirus crisis has taught us anything, it’s that no business is immune from COVID-19’s far-reaching economic impact—even one that’s predicated on social media. To find out how influencers can keep their businesses thriving while social distancing, we tapped business strategist and social media consultant Idalia Salsamendi whose client list includes Chriselle Lim, Brittany Xavier, and Jacey Duprie, to name a few.
If you joined us for her Ask an Expert Instagram Live conversation this week, you know that the influencer world is spinning with one critical question in these difficult times: What happens now? Scroll on for the business strategist and social media consultant’s top three tips for how to manage not only your career and business but also your stress, and find out how to tune into our next Ask an Expert segment on Instagram Live.
1. Time to Influence
In today’s society, the word “influencer” is tossed around so frequently that perhaps we’ve lost focus on what the word actually entails. Our minds are instantly transported to those men and women posing in their latest outfit by a hot pink wall, and/or promoting their favorite skincare brand saying how “obsessed” they are with it. That’s all fine and dandy. I mean hello, I’m the one booking those deals.
However, since the dawn of the arrival of social media (yup, I’ve been managing influencers, talent, and models for over a decade now), I’ve always instilled in my clients one main thing: serve a bigger purpose. Now more than ever we are truly seeing the rise of the innate meaning of “influencer.” We are seeing men and women around the world donating their resources, voice, and money to the pandemic at hand and guess what, it’s making a difference. I’m noticing a beautiful shift in the paradigm to use this “influence” to do more than to sell an object, but rather to serve a cause. Here’s a beautiful thing though, you could actually do both. Hence point #2...
2. Pitch Smart
A common question I get asked is, “Idalia, should I even be pitching to brands right now?” My answer as of today, March 26, 2020, is: YES. Please pitch. Please support your small business (remember you are one!). Here’s the clincher though: You have to pitch smart and not be tone-deaf to the global pandemic. Like I mentioned in the first point, you have to use your influence for good, and so do brands. Now is the time to think about how you could make a difference and ask your favorite brands to join you on that journey.
If you’re self-quarantined, think about brands that speak to that situation... is it your favorite snacks, wine, sweatshirt, book, etc.? Then reach out and tell them you’d like to unite forces and raise awareness around a charity, organization, hospital, etc. Donate a part of your rate to a charity. You can even ask them to chip in, too! You both could raise funds to support your local food drive or raise awareness to a cause... possibilities are also endless here. Encourage the brand, and show them your passion and education about the subject.
One extremely crucial point to take into consideration when doing this: it has to be genuine. Please do not link yourself to a brand or charitable cause if you feel nothing for it and are doing it to look good. It will bleed into your work, and people can sniff a fraud from a mile away. So really sit yourself down and consider what you care about.
Pssst... If you need a helpful nudge, here are a couple which I’m personally donating and raising awareness for:
And if you’re scratching your head wondering how you can properly even pitch, definitely check out the Powerful Pitch Kit for Influencers, and enjoy 50% off with promo code: CULTIVATELOVE.
3. Say Buh-Bye to Your Comfort Zone
The chances of you reading this while self-isolating are pretty high, so I’m going to be your cheerleader right now and encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. I get it, we are all locked up and it’s human that at moments we feel disillusioned, hopeless, stuck, confused, angry, sad... the list really could go on and on. Here’s the thing though, you have to push through. Keywords: HAVE TO.
Influencers that have been able to take the quarantine and show different sides of themselves are the ones that are not only the happiest (mental health check) but are also the ones that are getting reached out to by brands (pay-check). Simply taking a pretty photo is no longer the status quo, but rather something that may turn off your followers if you do it too frequently. So I’ll ask you what I ask everyone I work with: what sets you apart as a human being (forget business)? Do you play the piano? Do you paint? Do you do funny impersonations? Do you dance? Do you love to work out? The answers are endless, and what’s imperative to understand here is that there is no right or wrong answer. The end-game is the same: show it to your followers.
Since the rise of TikTok, I’ve seen influencers that are much more polished and serious on Instagram, let loose and have some fun on the ‘Tok. I’ve seen them without makeup in their sweatpants trying to a crazy dance move. And people are going nuts over it, even when syndicated on Instagram! Moral of the story: people want to see all your wonderful, quirky, funny, inspiring dimensions and now is the time to show them.
I genuinely hope these three tips inspired and empowered you in one way, shape, and form. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for stopping by and reading this. If you’re curious about more of what I’m up to, feel free to check out my website and my podcast.
About the Expert: Idalia Salsamendi is an industry-leading business strategist and social media consultant. With over 16 years of experience in PR and top-tier talent management, Idalia opened her company in 2016 with strategy for both brands and influencers at its core. Known for being selective towards the types of projects and clients she engages, the mantra for her company is to inspire, inform, and empower. Her roster includes Chriselle Lim, Brittany Xavier, and Jacey Duprie, to name a few.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: How to Jump on Digital Even If Your Business Isn't Online
It’s all about pivoting.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Vanessa Lee
Needless to say, the COVID-19 crisis is having a major impact on brick-and-mortar businesses. With everyone responsibly staying home and practicing social distancing in order to do their part and help flatten the coronavirus curve, businesses that typically rely on in-person sales (think: fitness studios, salons, restaurants, etc.) are needing to pivot in order to stay profitable during these uncertain times.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Ask an Expert series, it’s that jumping on digital is essential for brick-and-mortar businesses to come out of the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever. Which is why we tapped Vanessa Lee, the owner of the beauty concept bar, The Things We Do, for the latest installment of the series. (Spoiler alert: Lee’s creative use of social media to grow her business in these unpredictable times is a masterclass on how to successfully pivot to digital.)
Read on for her top three tips for pivoting to digital even if you’re business isn’t online. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
Tip #1: Ask your customers what they what.
“Make sure you’re giving your audience and customers only what they want. Reach out to your followers on social media and ask them what they need from you. They will tell you what they'll appreciate and what they need from you as a company. We’re living in a special time where we have social media and have the ability to have that dialogue.”
Tip #2: Focus on educational content.
“People are on social media more than ever. Right now, what people are sharing is a lot of educational videos. They’re so powerful because not only are you informing your audience about what you do but there’s an attachment to an experience afterward.“
Tip #3: Think beyond social media.
“It’s important to capture email lists through social media. Making your own email list is super important because right now we’re seeing that so much can change so quickly—you need something solid outside the social media realm.”
About the Expert: Vanessa Lee is a world-renowned medical aesthetic provider sought after for her dedication to the look of natural beauty and known for her contribution to training and educating in the cosmetic/medical field. She is a best-kept celebrity secret, skincare expert, and the owner of a beauty concept bar, The Things We Do.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: 5 Tips for How to Use Social Media to Grow and Scale Your Business During COVID-19
Yes, the way people are using social media right now is different, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t consuming your content at all.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Kayla Ybanez
Despite the high volume of people online, it can be easy to think that nobody will be interested in you or your online business, but business strategist Kayla Ybanez says that couldn't be farther from the truth. Yes, the way people are using social media right now is different, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t consuming your content at all. It just means they are consuming it differently and at different rates.
So, how can you grab their attention and continue to grow your business? To find out, we tapped Ybanez for an informative segment of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series. Read on for five practical tips from Ybanez on how to use social media to grow and scale your business during COVID-19. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
1. Remember, Your Current Clients Are Number One
In times of uncertainty, it can be easy to get distracted by wanting to only focus on how to generate new income streams or launches. I want to challenge you that one of the most important things with growing your online business right now is over-delivering to your current clients.
But first things first, your current clients are going to need you more than ever. Checking in with them more often will ensure client satisfaction and will continue to help them get the best results from your product or service.
The second piece is that testimonials and social proof are SO important for your online business. When you give your clients more than what they expected, they will over-deliver on their social proof for you.
How can you over-deliver?
Offer extra calls to your clients.
Go LIVE more often in your paid communities for face-to-camera time.
Offer discounts on evergreen courses/programs.
Be a listening ear when they need it.
2. Grab Your Audience’s Attention
Now more than ever, people will be consuming different types of social media as a form of distraction from what is going on in the world. Yes, it will be a lot like the early 2000s when the internet will become an escape from reality. Remember those days?
Your audience is growing sick of the news and they are ready to consume content that is going to be valuable to them. First, you need to be able to grab their attention.
Using powerful hooks on social media posts is going to be key to stopping people from scrolling past your content. What is a hook? It is the very first line of a post; the one that tells the reader exactly why they need to stop and consume the whole thing!
Hook suggestions:
My 3 tips to do _____. (Tell them what they’re about to learn.)
If you’re anything like me, then you know _____. (If they can relate, they’ll read on.)
You won’t BELIEVE what just happened. (Click-bait to spark curiosity.)
If you just jump into the story without telling us why we should care and why it’s important that we know, we will keep on scrolling.
3. Stay Top-of-Mind
Even when social media tends slightly change, your audience isn’t dropping their love of scrolling Instagram and Facebook completely! I recommend staying in a CREATION mode as much as possible for a second priority behind OVERDELIVERING on serving your current clients. The more your audience notices you showing up on social media even if they aren’t consuming your content, they are more likely to think of YOU when a need for your product or service arises. The best part? Your content doesn’t (and honestly shouldn’t) have to only relate to your business.
Examples:
Sharing a tutorial for your signature braid hairstyle.
Your hacks for organizing your closet.
Your secret to the perfect hard-boiled egg.
How frequently should you be showing up on social media? To some degree, you want to be showing up face to camera daily.
4. Demonstrate Your Essential Value
The next thing you want to pay attention to is making sure that you are positioning your brand and products to align with your ideal client’s perception of essential value.
At times when you worry that your audience is changing their buying behaviors, the best way to adapt to this is to show them that you are meeting their essential needs. For a lot of us, those needs include Solving known problems, community/support, providing certainty.
Whether you’ve had to think about these in your business before or not, how can you shift your content to reflect that you are making it your mission to meet these needs?
Examples:
Tell us about your community and how it will enrich our lives.
How are you solving problems that we have RIGHT NOW?
How are you/your products making us feel sure of our decisions and protected?
5. Get Scrappy With Your Resources
With social media, the ability to grow your business and generate revenue are ENDLESS! I know you may have certain routines and launch plans that you’re set in, but sometimes we need to be adaptable and ready to meet people where they’re at.
Bonuses and “extra stuff” isn’t getting people to get off the fence and make buying decisions as much at this current time. What is? Discounts!
Recommendations for increasing cash flow into your business right now:
Running a flash sale on an existing evergreen offer.
If you provide an in-person service such as photography, offer a discount if they buy “sessions” upfront.
Creating a low ticket baby-offer that provides INSANE value (to build your email list as well).
Beefing up your affiliate program for offers so you can partner with loyal members of your community for a mutually-beneficial launch.
What with everything that is going on, I wanted to outline the main areas of your business you should focus on to continue to grow your impact on social media. At the end of the day, SHOWING UP is always going to be the most important thing. Leaders will rise and you’re here because you are a leader who’s making a change!
About the Expert: Kayla Ybanez is a business strategist for network marketers and online coaches and service providers who want to build a sustainable and scalable personal brand online. Ybanez built her business from her daughter's hospital room, where her daughter fought for her life, and where she and her family lived with her for 436 days straight, waiting for answers for her medical mystery diagnosis and watching her daughter undergo a bone marrow transplant in January 2019.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Sallie Krawcheck's Top 3 Smart Money Moves to Make During the COVID-19 Crisis
The CEO and co-founder of Ellevest assuages our financial fears.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
The coronavirus crisis has taken a serious toll on the economy, causing the U.S. stock market to have it's worst day since the 1987 stock crash and the OECD to cut global economic growth projections in half. Needless to say, money anxiety is at an all-time high as a result. In fact, according to a recent study, 67 million Americans anticipate they’ll have trouble paying their credit card bills due to coronavirus.
In an effort to help ease our financial fears during these uncertain times, we hosted a special Fireside Chat edition of our Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert, with Sallie Krawcheck, co-founder and CEO of Ellevest, a digital investment platform built by women, for women. Our founder and CEO Jaclyn Johnson virtually sat down with Krawcheck to answer all your most pressing money questions in the wake of the coronavirus, including how to cut unnecessary spending from your budget and how to fund your small business during quarantine closures.
Read on for three key takeaways from the conversation and head to the Create & Cultivate Instagram to tune into our next Live Ask an Expert segment.
Tip #1: Don’t stop investing.
“The question we get the most at Ellevest, is, Should I be buying? The second is, Should I be selling?,” explains Krawcheck. “The answer is you should be investing steadily for your longterm goals. You should be investing a bit of your paycheck, after you pay off debt, because if you try to time the market you will fail.”
Tip #2: Watch your expenses.
“Watch your expenses,” Krawcheck advises small business owners who are doing everything they can to keep the lights on. “Use your values to determine what expenses are important, protect your company culture, and trim where you can without hurting your core business.”
Tip #3: Contribute to an emergency fund.
Krawcheck's rule of thumb for a healthy financial future includes breaking down each paycheck (a.k.a your take-home pay) following these general guidelines:
50% of every paycheck should go toward paying for things you need (think: rent, utilities, car insurance, etc.)
30% should go toward fun (think: those extras that bring you joy, like that outfit your dying to buy or you’re favorite workout class)
20% should go toward future you (i.e., your emergency fund, 401k, IRA, etc.)
However, before you start contributing to an emergency fund, “get your credit card debt paid off because it’s leeching out wealth from you,” cautions Krawcheck.
Ellevest is answering any and all money questions that come in from the community on their blog. It's an amazing resource in these uncertain times.
Sign up for Sallie Krawcheck’s weekly newsletter, Money Monday, to stay up to date on all things women and money.
About the Expert: Sallie Krawcheck is the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, a digital-first, mission-driven investment platform for women. Ellevest is one of the fastest-growing digital investment platforms and has been named a #24 on CNBC’s top 50 "Disruptor" list and #14 on LinkedIn’s 50 “Most Sought-After Startups” (#2 in New York). Krawcheck is also Chair of the Ellevate Network, a 135K-strong global professional women’s network, and Pax Ellevate Global Women’s Leadership Fund, a fund that invests in the top-rated companies for advancing women. Before launching Ellevest, Krawcheck built a successful career on Wall Street: She was the CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, US Trust, the Citi Private Bank, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She was also Chief Financial Officer for Citigroup.
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Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: How to Build Your Matriarchy and Support System During COVID-19
“When we give business to female-founded companies, we’re contributing to our own economy.”
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, female founders are giving us hope. They’re forging new support systems and offering up their expertise, knowledge, and, in some cases, even their funds to their communities and to each other. They’re proving to us that we truly are all in this together and that we’re stronger when we lean on one another.
For insight on how to build a matriarchy and support system during these uneasy times, it only seemed fitting for us to tap the Jennifer Justice, a music attorney who found her passion for advocating for women while working with major artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, for the latest installment of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series.
Read on for a few highlights. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
You’ve worked with some of the hardest working women in the business including Beyoncé. What did you learn from representing such a powerful female?
“Women, especially business owners and creatives, do better when they’re represented by women. We assess risk differently, we understand our challenges and our strengths, it’s important that we support each other. As hard-working women, we have to put in 110% to get what when men have to put in 75% to get.”
Have you ever been blatantly discriminated against at the negotiation table because you (not your client) is a woman?
I still am. I’m a woman. I get mansplained to all the time when I’m negotiating against men. It’s all day long. Unfortunately, misogyny and sexism have not changed. But I don’t’ care. I don’t let it affect me or how I negotiate for my clients. Advocating for yourself is the hardest thing to do, and advocating for women is for the greater good.
How can we be supporting each other in business right now and helping each other rise?
“We can help each other right now by buying each other’s stuff, in a responsible way. We can also be promoting each other on social media, connecting via live video chats or podcasts to help fellow female founders spread the work about who they are and what they do. But most importantly, you can check-in and listen to other people and what they’re needs are. You can be a rock for somebody else.”
About the Expert: Jennifer Justice is an entertainment and live-experience executive known for her expertise in building artists’ careers and business portfolios by marrying art with commerce. In 2019, JJ founded The Justice Dept. – a management, strategy, and legal firm that works with female (and woke male) entrepreneurs, executives, talent, brands and creatives to build and maximize their value focusing in the areas of tech, consumer product, finance, media, entertainment and fashion. JJ has been named a “Game Changer” by Goop, one of the 50 Badass Women Changing the World in 2020 by InStyle, and on Billboard's Women in Power list three times. She has been featured on the TODAY Show and is a regular contributor on NBC News.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: 5 Practical Marketing Tips for Staying Profitable During the COVID-19 Pandemic
“Right now is when you need to be communicating with your audience on every platform possible.”
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Laurel Mintz
It’s safe to say the COVID-19 pandemic has radically shifted how businesses both large and small need to approach their marketing strategies. With the sudden rise of the stay-at-home economy, it’s imperative that brands pivot swiftly to digital in order to stay profitable because, now more than ever, consumers are turning to social media as a source for content, comfort, and even creativity.
In fact, social media views and engagement have increased by over 30% in the last two weeks, according to Laurel Mintz, CEO and founder of the digital marketing and live events agency Elevate My Brand. We tapped the marketing pro to find out how brands can support their communities and remain profitable in these uncertain times for the latest installment of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series.
Read on for five practical marketing tips for staying profitable and coming out of the coronavirus crisis stronger than before. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
1. Double Down on Your Digital Spend
“A lot of businesses are scared, and they should be. Because they’re scared, they’re questioning their marketing and advertising spend. Don’t be one of those companies.
Now is the best time EVER to double down your dollars so that you can capture more market share. It may sound a bit callous, but we saw the same thing happen in 2008/2009, and the smarter companies that survived and thrived turned a challenging time into an opportunity to grow.
It will be good for you long-term and is the right thing to do to keep the economy going.”
2. Get More Social (Online)
“I don’t know about you, but I’ve canceled most of my social and business plans. This has left me feeling totally disconnected and frankly a bit lonely. That’s why now is a great time to start or increase your social media content. Act as if things are as normal as possible and talk to your community through your social channels.
More than just talking at them, start a dialogue and use these challenging times to truly engage your community in honest conversations about what you’re doing to support them and how you’re working towards business as usual. Make them feel the love even if it’s only online. (P.S. Social media views and engagement have increased by over 30% in the last two weeks, so give the people what they want where they want it.)”
3. Put Your People First
“I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but there are still a lot of companies out there that don’t have emergency protocol around this virus. Worse yet, there are a lot of employees who, if they don’t show up physically to work, don’t get paid. There’s no other way to say this than don’t be a d*&k!
Like us, I’m sure many of your employees have kids and, with the recent school shutdowns, are feeling the pressure more than ever before. We live in amazing times where a ton of work can be done remotely. When you treat your employees with respect and let them put their health and families first, they will be more loyal and committed to the work and will likely maintain productivity and service levels, and that’s good for business and morale alike.”
4. Convert, Don’t Cancel
“Brands that rely on fundraising efforts like non-profits are, rightfully, freaking out right now. Many events and galas have been canceled and the teams behind them don’t know how they’re going to raise the working capital they need to maintain their staff and support the work they’re doing in the community.
We have seen smart companies both in the for- and non-profit worlds quickly convert events and fundraising to digital. Whether it’s micro-donations through social media or crowdfunding platforms, there are tons of great digital tools, if done right and quickly, that can slow the decline of fundraising efforts.
There are also tools out there such as Zoom that can supplement the intimate connections between donors, keep meetings on track, and keep communities and communication flowing. So don’t cancel that meeting, just convert it to a Zoom and keep things moving forward as normally as possible.”
5. Content Is (Still) Critical
“Let’s be honest, with everything canceling and everyone wondering what to do next, most businesses have a lot of unexpected time on their hands right now. Look at it as an opportunity to develop quality content for your digital channels and to set yourself up for a successful future.
Use Google Docs to collectively ideate ad concepts. Use Zoom to interview employees for human-interest story vlogs. Use a project management platform to make a more robust marketing plan. We know how hard it can be for brands to devote time to building out their content calendar, so take this time to write blogs and prepare email campaigns and audit your content.
Because when you come out on the other side of this thing, we’ll all have to hit the ground running.”
About the Expert: Laurel Mintz, J.D., M.B.A. is the CEO and founder of award-winning, Los Angeles-based digital marketing agency Elevate My Brand. Laurel’s gift is connecting with people and their stories. After all, companies are made up of people, and stories are just narratives that are the foundation of great marketing. Laurel’s energy has been the driving force behind the agency’s growth since it launched in 2009. Her awards include the 2017 Patrick Soon-Shiong Innovation Award, the 2016 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Company award, the Los Angeles Business Journal 2016 Women In Business Award, and more.
Right now, Elevate My Brand is offering complimentary strategy sessions to any brands in need. Shoot them an email at info@elevatemybrand.com or ping them on Instagram or Facebook.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: How to Unite a Remote Team During the COVID-19 Crisis as a Small Business Owner
“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Sonja Rasula
Small businesses everywhere are stepping up and doing their part to help flatten the curve, canceling events, shuttering offices, and implementing work-from-home policies in order to help contain the alarmingly rapid spread of the coronavirus. Of course, by now (read: week two of #WFHlife) we all know that the transition between working from the office to working from the home office (a.k.a. the dining table, the couch, or even the bed) is easier said than done.
For helpful tips on how to unite a remote team while working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak, we tapped none other than small business owner and serial entrepreneur Sonja Rasula, the founder of Unique Markets and The Unique Space, for the latest installment of our Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert. Read on for Rasula’s tried-and-true tips for boosting morale as well as productivity while managing a WFH team. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
How can I unite my remote team digitally and keep them inspired?
“The first thing that you have to do is implement structure. If you have daily meetings or check-ins, those still need to happen. Now more than ever, it’s important to check-in and have face-to-face meetings through Zoom, Face Time, and Google Hangouts to stay connected.
The socializing aspect of work is so important. If you use Slack as a communication tool, create a channel called ‘The Break Room’ or ‘The Water Cooler’ for your team to share stupid memes to share photos of their desk as a way to create a social human connection beyond work. Because it’s not all about work.”
How should I adapt my leadership style to help my team feel positive and optimistic?
“Being positive and optimistic yourself is really important. You set the bar. Even if you are freaking the eff out on the inside, you need to be as cool, calm, and collected as you can for your team.
That said, full transparency is important. Once in a while, letting your team see how you’re feeling is really important because they need to know you are not a robot, you are a human being.”
My business is really hurting financially right now and I’m struggling to see the silver lining. How can I thrive as a founder and keep the lights on?
“Figure out your digital presence. There are no excuses now, it’s all about your digital footprint, so start that podcast, send that newsletter, start that blog. Utilize the free technology that’s available (social media, blogs, etc.) to expand your digital footprint.
We’re all at home, we’re trying to make shit work with what we have, and we are not superhuman. We can only do what we can do, and then you have to let go. Try your hardest, but recognize that now, potentially, might not be the time. Just relax, pause, reevaluate, and think about business differently.”
About the Expert: In 2008 Sonja Rasula self-funded her first business, Unique Markets, by risking her entire 401k retirement savings. Thankfully it worked! Her innovative, modern pop-up marketplaces have taken place around the country including Los Angeles, San Francisco, N.Y.C., and Austin! Nike, Airbnb, Madewell, and Adobe are some of the many brands to tap into Sonja’s entrepreneurial mindset and creative consulting. She was named “1 of 30 Women Entrepreneurs Changing the World” by fashion mogul Eileen Fisher, and Los Angeles Magazine awarded her 1 of 10 of L.A.'s Most Inspiring Women in their annual issue about women in Los Angeles.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: How to Get Buzz-Worthy Press Right Now, According to a Publicist
It's all about the R.I.C.H. formula.
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting live discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Heather DeSantis
There is a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to show up, share their message, and be a source of positivity right now. With the COVID-19 crisis impacting communities, businesses, and people across the country and the world, there’s a great need for positive news. So, how do you make your message really matter in a time that feels so dark to fill that void?
In this installment of our wildly popular Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert, we tapped Heather DeSantis, a media expert and the CEO of Publicity for Good, to answer all your burning publicity questions in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Read on for DeSantis’ tried-and-true R.I.C.H. formula for getting buzz-worthy press and creating content that resonates right now, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
R: Reflect on who you are as an entrepreneur and a person.
“Ask yourself, Who are you as an entrepreneur? What key things have you gone through to become the entrepreneur you are today? What things have you gone through that you can share? What can you teach to others? How can you be of service? Use these answers to make a list of the core topics that you want to talk about in the media.”
I: Investigate.
“Figure out how to bridge the gap between what you want to talk about and what’s going on in the world right now to make your pitch relevant to the media.
Step 1: Go to Google and type in a topic that’s relevant to your business; a topic that you’re an expert in.
Step 2: Go through the results in the “News” section. Sift through the first three pages of results for inspiration on how to pitch yourself to media outlets.
Step 3: Search for your competitors via Google to see where they’ve been featured and start reaching out to those media outlets to get featured by those publications, networks, etc.
As a business owner, it’s really important to make your message relevant to what’s going on in the world. Search what’s trending in the media so that your content solves a problem and serves what people are interested in today.”
C: Connect with the media.
“First and foremost, post on your own social media channels. Go to your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and create a call to action post to let people know you want to get your message out there.
Then, authentically connect with members of the media before you pitch them. Engage with their content and create relationships and friendships with them. When you do reach out to them with a pitch, be sure to follow up three days later. Ask them how you can help and always come from a place of service.
If you want to pitch local/regional press, start watching the morning news to see what the flow of the show is, and then call the morning producer. You can go to Google and type in “news tips” to search for the direct email address of the producer and reach out.”
H: Help & hunt.
“Help. It’s all about service. You’re filling the need of the media, so come from a place of service. The media needs content to inspire people to keep them motivated and learn how to adjust during these times. Ask, What are you working on and how can I help?
Hunt. Show up every day and pitch yourself to the media.”
About the Expert: Heather DeSantis is the SHE-O of Publicity For Good and a Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee. Heather is the leading female millennial publicist of her generation with a fresh take on life which translates to a disruptive approach to PR, as evident with her choosing to run her agency nomadically from an Airstream. Together with her fiancé, she goes around the U.S. spreading the word about the unique way and mechanism PFG does PR.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: How to Adjust Your Business Strategy During the Coronavirus Crisis, According to a Business Coach
“This is a time to be swift, but not reactive.”
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Gretchen Jones
In times of crisis, businesses are put to the test—supply chains are disrupted and profit margins are compromised. And the COVID-19 crisis is certainly no exception. As our founder and CEO Jaclyn Johnson says, a company’s success comes down to how it pivots and responds during times of great uncertainty. However, as one of today’s Ask an Expert pros reminded us, “Now is the time to be swift, not reactive."
For some #realtalk on how to pivot a business, manage expectations, and lead with purpose during a crisis, we tapped Gretchen Jones, a strategic business advisor (she advises our CEO), for a special installment of our wildly popular Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert. Read on for three things you should know about adjusting your business strategy right now. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
1. I want to be proactive during this time of quarantine—what can I do to reach my business growth goals and hit the ground running when things go back to normal?
“Achieving business goals right now is theoretical. More than thinking about growth, work on managing a healthy relationship with your business, not the potential capabilities ahead of you. Look at this slowdown as an opportunity to rise to the occasion, and look at initiatives that you’ve wanted to dive into but haven’t had the time to until now.“
2. I’m a small business owner and I don’t know how much longer I can afford to pay our staff while we’re closed during this time of quarantine. What advice can you share?
“Being a good boss sometimes means that moving through the pain [and going through with layoffs] is doing what is right for your community because you acted with integrity. You holding onto your staff because you’re afraid of laying them off in the future is going to complicate they’re ability to gain access to unemployment benefits. Take care of them now so that they will want to come back and work for you.”
3. How can I be a better, more supportive leader for my team, especially now that we’re all working remotely?
“The first thing is communication. Lead with humanity first in all communication. And, set goals. Real goal setting is about making sure your team knows that they have purpose and value and make sure that the expectations are really clear. Set benchmarks or KPIs (key performance indicators) so that you have really thoughtful ways of checking in with your team. Most importantly, hold yourself accountable by being better and more communicative with your staff.”
About the Expert: Gretchen Jones is a strategic business advisor and public speaker, as well as an award-winning design director, ambassador for sustainability, and NLP practitioner. She works with entrepreneurs and companies to develop future-minded, visionary approaches to ourselves and our work. Her methodology brings a directional, mindful lens of reflection to processes and belief systems, inside and outside of our businesses.
Gretchen has generously offered Create & Cultivators a special discount. Use the code gJLOVESC&C for 33% off Critical Conversations for the next three months. The code expires June 1st and can be up to three times.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
6 Things You Can Do to Support Small Businesses Right Now During the Coronavirus Crisis
“Small businesses are the backbone of our country, and we need to support them the best we can.”
Photo: Smith House Photography
Small businesses need our help more than ever right now. The coronavirus crisis is seriously impacting restaurants, fitness studios, salons, and brick-and-mortar shops across the country. To find out what we can do right now to support them, we tapped money expert and financial advisor Kristin O'Keeffe Merrick, a financial advisor at O'Keeffe Financial Partners, for our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our country, and we need to support them the best we can,” the money expert and financial advisor reminded us during her Ask an Expert segment on our Instagram Live feed. Of course, we here at Create & Cultivate couldn’t agree more, so we’re sharing Merrick’s top tips for how to support small businesses during this challenging and unpredictable time.
Here are six things you can do right now—without leaving your couch—to support local small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic if you’re able to.
1. Order delivery, takeout, or even a gift card from your favorite local restaurants.
“Make sure you’re tipping when you go in for takeout. Servers aren’t serving people in restaurants right now so be sure to tip if you can to help support them.”
2. Shop your local brick-and-mortar small businesses online.
“Think ahead to some events you need to shop for (weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, Mother’s Day) and shop your local small businesses online.”
3. Stream fitness classes from your fave local studios online.
“If the instructors you love are giving free classes, consider sending them a tip ($20 via Venmo or Cash App), since they’re probably not getting paid for that service.”
4. Call up your local salons and buy gift cards for your next treatments.
“Think ahead to your next hair appointment, your next manicure or pedicure, etc., and consider buying a gift card now.”
5. Use your voice to help spread the word about local businesses that could use the extra love.
“Help your local community for free by posting about your favorite local businesses on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc.”
6. Pay your people.
“If you’re still getting a reg paycheck, pay your housekeeper, pay your dog walker, pay anyone who helps you with childcare.”
For more expert advice on how to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of our Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Up next: 7 Things a Financial Expert Wants You to Do to Prepare for COVID-19
MORE ON THE BLOG
Ask an Expert: 5 Things a Lawyer Wants You to Know About Force Majeure Clauses and COVID-19
Can you get out of a contract RN?
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Jamie Lieberman
Not to state the obvious, but talking to a lawyer can be intimidating. Between tracking down the right lawyer, budgeting for a consultation, and knowing which questions you need to ask, seeking out legal counsel can be daunting for a lot of small business owners. With that in mind—and given these unprecedented times—we asked an attorney to answer all your burning questions about force majeure contract clauses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this installment of our Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert, we tapped Jamie Lieberman, a seasoned attorney and the founder of Hashtag Legal, to discuss everything you need to know about force majeure clauses right now. Read on for five things you should know about getting out of a contract due to unforeseeable circumstances. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.
1. First things first, what is a force majeure clause anyway?
“It is a clause that’s written into many contracts that allows a contract to be canceled or postponed due to impossibility performance, which can be caused by things like natural disasters, strikes/riots, or ‘acts of God.’ Things that make it impossible for people to perform their obligations.”
2. What exactly is considered an act of God by a force majeure clause?
“Usually, an act of God includes natural disasters; hurricanes, floods, tornadoes. Illness is not always in the definition of force majeure. If you have a contract that you’re not sure about, you check whether or not there’s a force majeure clause in it and how it’s defined. Some contracts allow for cancellation and some just allow for postponement.”
3. What if I don’t have a force majeure clause in my contract?
“There are a number of ways you can be protected whether or not you have force majeure in your contract. If the purpose of the contracts is frustrated, meaning there’s no way for you to do it, you can be protected by the doctrine of impossibility or impracticability. If you can’t perform your contract, have that conversation with your client and see what you can do to postpone. Have a negotiation, have a conversation.”
4. What can I do if someone is trying to get out of a contract and I don't have a lawyer?
“Have the difficult conversations—don’t avoid them. Start negotiating and try to make new agreements so that you can move forward and both parties are protected. The worst thing you can do is avoid having these conversations.”
5. Do I need a contract?
“If there is anything of value being exchanged, whether it’s money, goods, or services, having a contract is a best practice. Contracts are meant to protect both parties—they’re not designed to favor one party or the other. And if you have everything in writing, you know what will happen in the event of something like the COVID-19 outbreak.”
About the Expert: Jamie Lieberman, owner and founder of Hashtag Legal has been a practicing lawyer for nearly 15 years. As an experienced entrepreneur, Jamie understands the unique needs of business owners at different stages in their organization’s growth. She has a deep commitment to making legal accessible and regularly speaks about legal matters, the art of negotiation and entrepreneurial topics at events such as Alt Summit, Podcast Movement, and FinCon and as an expert source for media like Digiday and Forbes. You can also catch her as a co-host on The FearLess Business Podcast.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!
Ask an Expert: Here Are 7 Things a Financial Expert Says to Do to Prepare for COVID-19
“This is a public health crisis, this is not a financial crisis.”
We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. Starting today, we will be hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am,12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Courtesy of Kristin O'Keeffe Merrick
Needless to say, the coronavirus outbreak has financially impacted businesses both large and small and employees and employers alike. With the OECD cutting global economic growth projections in half, the JPMorgan Global Manufacturing Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) falling to its lowest level since 2009, and U.S. stocks having their worst day since the 1987 stock market crash, it’s safe to say money anxiety is at an all-time high.
To help assuage our financial fears, we tapped money expert and financial advisor Kristin O'Keeffe Merrick, a financial advisor at O'Keeffe Financial Partners, for the first-ever installment of our Instagram Live series, Ask an Expert. She answered all our burning money questions in the wake of the coronavirus, including, how to cut unnecessary spending from your budget and how to fund your small business after you've maxed out all your credit cards.
Read on for seven things you can do right now to feel financially stable, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation with Jamie Lieberman, attorney and founder of Hashtag Legal, on force majeure and if you can get out of a contract due to unforeseeable circumstances, tomorrow at 9 am PST on Instagram Live. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it!
1. Take stock of your subscription services.
“If you haven’t used your Hulu subscription by day four of self-isolating, you probably don’t need it. If you’re in a cash crunch, consider canceling or putting subscriptions you’re not using right now on hold."
2. File your taxes.
“If you’re worried about a cash crunch and you might be in line to get a refund, file your taxes early. If you’re a freelancer or an entrepreneur, you might need some liquidity right now, so think about filing now to get that refund.”
3. Make an IRA contribution.
“If you have a high risk tolerance for investing, put your IRA money to work.” (Note: If you’re a first-time investor, you should seek out professional advice before taking action here.)
4. Pay off debt.
“If you’re still getting a regular paycheck, use this as an opportunity to pay off some debt and put some money into an emergency fund.”
5. Start a savings account.
“One of the silver linings is that we’re not going out and spending money on drinks/dinner/coffee. Consider moving the money that you’d normally be spending to live and enjoy your life to a savings account or an emergency fund.”
6. Create a budget.
“Think about your fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs are things that won’t go away no matter what: your rent, car insurance, utilities, mortgage, etc. To look at your variable costs, pull up you bank and/or credit card statements for the last three months, and look at how you’re spending your money. Think about where your money goes and why you can’t save money; think about all the things you can lower and ways to allocate ways to save money.”
7. Read books that can help you get more financially savvy.
“If you’re looking to get more financially savvy, there’s no better time. One of the few money books I love is You Are a Badass at Making Money. Don’t overwhelm yourself with info, but use this time to get familiar with financial terms or investment terms.”
About the Expert: Kristin O’Keeffe Merrick is a money expert and financial advisor at her family-run firm, O'Keeffe Financial Partners, based in Fairfield, NJ. Kristin has over 19 years of investment experience, having spent the first part of her career as currency trader, and serving most recently as Vice President at Morgan Stanley. She has contributed to Forbes, CNBC,NY Magazine, Girlboss, Hey Mama, My Domaine, and Coveteur. She is a frequent guest on the Today Show, the NBC Nightly News and Yahoo Finance. Kristin was also recently named as 2020 Badass 50 by InStyle Magazine.
Tune in daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST, for new installments of Ask an Expert.
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out. See you there!