The Collective

Collaboratory Experience Blog

Why Good Web Design Matters: Understanding the Functional Aspects Beyond Beauty
Marketing, Design Collaboratory Experience Marketing, Design Collaboratory Experience

Why Good Web Design Matters: Understanding the Functional Aspects Beyond Beauty

In the vast and visually captivating realm of the internet, the importance of good web design transcends aesthetics; it is the linchpin that harmonizes form and function, leaving an indelible mark on user experience. We’ll delve into the key elements of good web design that are essential to provide an exceptional user experience and ultimately contribute to the overall success of your business.

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Top Five Digital Marketing Trends in 2024: Strategies for Small Businesses to Start the New Year Right
Marketing, Business Collaboratory Experience Marketing, Business Collaboratory Experience

Top Five Digital Marketing Trends in 2024: Strategies for Small Businesses to Start the New Year Right

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for small businesses aiming to thrive in 2024. As we embark on a new year, it's imperative to be aware of five digital marketing trends that are set to shape the landscape. From AI to sustainability strategies, this article will equip small businesses with the knowledge they need to kick off the year right. Let's turn the spotlight on the top trends that promise to redefine the marketing playbook and elevate your business to new heights.

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Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Marketing Agency in 2024
Marketing, Business Collaboratory Experience Marketing, Business Collaboratory Experience

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Marketing Agency in 2024

In the dynamic world of business, selecting the right marketing agency can be a pivotal decision for your company's growth and success. With an array of agencies offering varied services, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit. This is your guide through the essential factors to consider when choosing a marketing agency, ensuring that your decision aligns with your business goals and needs.

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Why Entrepreneurs Who Work with Business Coaches are Better
Entrepreneurship, Business Collaboratory Experience Entrepreneurship, Business Collaboratory Experience

Why Entrepreneurs Who Work with Business Coaches are Better

Entrepreneurs who work with business coaches and mentors are simply better. They are more open, more fun to work with, more willing to learn, more willing to stretch for outstanding achievements, more willing to take responsibility, more concerned about their personal development, and just simply more positive.

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A Great Google Ads Foundation Starts with Keywords
Marketing Collaboratory Experience Marketing Collaboratory Experience

A Great Google Ads Foundation Starts with Keywords

It is important to understand that the foundation of Google Ads starts with keywords. Think of how you use Google – you type words into the search bar to find what you’re looking for. If you are a business owner who wants to use Google Ads to help promote your business or generate leads, to get your ads to show up on the search page, you must bid on that keyword.

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Important Things to Consider When Conducting Market Research
Marketing Collaboratory Experience Marketing Collaboratory Experience

Important Things to Consider When Conducting Market Research

Market research should never be underestimated. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, gaining a comprehensive view of the current market is vital for long-term success. It’s the simplest way for entrepreneurs to keep up with market trends, maintain a competitive edge and most importantly, get customers.

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Improve Your Communication Skills in 5 Simple Steps
Business Collaboratory Experience Business Collaboratory Experience

Improve Your Communication Skills in 5 Simple Steps

The benefits of knowing how to effectively communicate are endless, but for entrepreneurs it’s essential for building, launching, and growing their business. Improving communication skills can involve many different elements. Whether you want to be a better listener or check in with your business partners or employees, there are several ways to communicate more effectively. Here are some easy ways to start bettering your communication skills.

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A Business Plan is the Best Strategy to Avoid Business Failure
Entrepreneurship, Business Collaboratory Experience Entrepreneurship, Business Collaboratory Experience

A Business Plan is the Best Strategy to Avoid Business Failure

Through my experience as a business coach, the main reason new businesses fail is poor upfront planning. With the right planning, funding and flexibility, businesses have a better chance of succeeding. In this article I’ll go through some of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make and why having a business plan is the best strategy to improve your chances of success.

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How to Price Your Entrepreneurial Services and Earn High-end Fees
Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience

How to Price Your Entrepreneurial Services and Earn High-end Fees

Many new entrepreneurs really struggle with how to price for their services and end up all over the map. They mostly charge by the hour and at too low a rate. The trick is how to have conversations with prospective clients so that they agree to pricing based on the engagement. In this article you will learn simple steps to make this transition.

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Tell Your Story to Convey Your Value
Branding, Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience Branding, Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience

Tell Your Story to Convey Your Value

Every business has a story to tell, something uniquely personal that will connect potential customers to their brand. As an entrepreneur or small business owner in this age of social media, you have a great opportunity to attract loyal customers by rethinking the way you convey your company’s core value…Simply tell your story.

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The Best Ways to Fund Your Business
Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience

The Best Ways to Fund Your Business

As an entrepreneur, you understand it costs money to start a business and how you fund it will be the first and most important financial decisions you will make when launching your business.

In this article you’ll learn the various ways to fund a business. Once you know how much capital you’ll need, you can then determine the best way to procure it based on your specific set of circumstances.

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Search Query vs. Keywords: What’s the Difference?
Marketing Collaboratory Experience Marketing Collaboratory Experience

Search Query vs. Keywords: What’s the Difference?

When I talk to my students, clients, and entrepreneurs in general, the terms “search query” and “keyword” are often used interchangeably and misunderstood. I want to provide clarity that there is a difference between the two and what that difference is.

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Start Off January Strong: 5 Things Entrepreneurs Should Audit at Years End
Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience

Start Off January Strong: 5 Things Entrepreneurs Should Audit at Years End

For entrepreneurs, December should be a time for self-audit - to take inventory on what was done well, breaking down those moments of success, and what didn’t go so well that needs to be revamped and changed when the new year begins.

Here are five things that I audit at the end of each year to help me as I strategize and prepare for the upcoming year, I recommend all entrepreneurs should do.

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A Simple Strategy to Gain and Keep Customers that Won’t Break the Bank
Collaboratory Experience Collaboratory Experience

A Simple Strategy to Gain and Keep Customers that Won’t Break the Bank

Want more customers? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, of course you do. And like most entrepreneurs, you’ve probably been inundated with the plethora of digital marketing programs, tools, and applications to help businesses acquire customers. Most of these tools are indeed wonderful and will help with conversion but have steep learning curves, are very expensive and still require you to have a notable size email list to experience any real ROI.

If you are looking for a simple strategy that won’t break the bank and completely necessary to gain and keep customers, look no further than market research.

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What You Need to Know About Personal Branding
Branding, Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience Branding, Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience

What You Need to Know About Personal Branding

While you can purposefully curate your brand by maintaining consistency in your marketing and how you present yourself on and offline, you cannot fully control your reputation. Your personal brand is closely tied to your reputation. Working on the aesthetic aspects of your personal branding won’t mean anything if you disregard your reputation.

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Do You Really Need a Business Plan?
Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience Entrepreneurship Collaboratory Experience

Do You Really Need a Business Plan?

If you are a new or aspiring entrepreneur and asking yourself if you really need a business plan…the answer is an astounding YES! Many entrepreneurs think writing a business plan is something that is only necessary if they are trying to get a business loan or persuade investors that their business venture is worth investing in. The reality is that a business plan is necessary no matter how it is financed or what stage of business development you are in.

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Advantages of Forming an LLC
Business Collaboratory Experience Business Collaboratory Experience

Advantages of Forming an LLC

Whether you are a new start-up or have been operating for some time as a sole proprietor or in a general partnership, there are many benefits of incorporating your business as an LLC which typically outweigh any perceived disadvantages and unavailable to a sole proprietorship and general partnerships. Learn why this business structure is a great option for entrepreneurs.

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