Kelvin Joseph joins me today to discuss his insights on marketing and the importance of adding value to your customers by having a clear and compelling value proposition. Kelvin shares the importance of authenticity, the power of social selling, and why it is essential to find your niche and position yourself as an expert. Kelvin also shares how he utilized LinkedIn to elevate his brand and how small business owners can more effectively engage with their LinkedIn connections.

In this episode, Melinda Emerson and Kelvin Joseph discuss the evolution of marketing, emphasizing authenticity. They explore leveraging AI, big data, and social selling for small business growth, and effective LinkedIn strategies. They also delve into influencer and event marketing, audience development secrets, and share their best business advice, favorite podcasts, apps, and books.

(0:00) Introduction and welcome

(2:29) Discussion on the evolution of marketing and the importance of authenticity

(4:41) Leveraging AI, big data, and social selling for small business growth

(10:15) Strategies for effective use of LinkedIn in small businesses

(13:01) Sponsor: Book Promotion

(14:02) The role of influencer and event marketing in business growth

(16:06) Secrets to successful audience development in event marketing

(17:02) Best business and marketing advice, favorite podcast, business app, and books

(18:42) Closing remarks and gratitude

(19:11) End of episode

Thelma Ekiyor joins me today to share her insights on starting a business in Africa, specifically in Nigeria. She discusses how the financial landscape plays a role and some of the additional challenges faced by aspiring female entrepreneurs in Africa. Thelma also highlights her initiatives with The Funding Space, including the Youth Innovation Challenge, and the importance of cross-continental investments and collaboration.

In this episode, Melinda Emerson chats with Thelma Ekiyor about her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs globally, and the difficulties of starting businesses in Africa. They explore alternative lending solutions and discuss an upcoming funding event in Nigeria. Ekiyor also shares her favorite business book.

(0:00) Introduction to the SmallBizChat podcast and episode focus

(1:47) Guest Introduction: Thelma Ekiyor’s entrepreneurial journey

(3:40) Challenges and barriers faced by women entrepreneurs worldwide

(5:43) Difficulties and solutions for starting businesses in Africa

(8:34) Alternative lending solutions for businesses

(10:26) Upcoming funding event in Nigeria

(11:32) Thelma Ekiyor's favorite business book

(12:21) Conclusion and closing remarks by Melinda Emerson

Steve Dailey joins me today to share the “secrets” you need to generate more money and scale your small business to 7-figures. He discusses the distinction between being employed by your company and truly leading the company and why it is crucial to take a hard look at how attached you are as an owner. Steve also highlights the first steps to consider if you want to build a million-dollar business and whether 7-figure growth truly is possible for your brand.

In this episode, Melinda Emerson and guest, Coach Steve Daley, discuss the value of peer education for small business owners. They delve into strategies for generating more income, the importance of attitude in business success, and the concept of trading on value. They also explore the steps to building a million-dollar business, avoiding the 80/20 trap, and effective sales and marketing strategies.

(0:00) Introduction by Melinda Emerson

(0:52) Importance of Peer to Peer Education for Small Business Owners

(1:49) Introduction of Guest, Coach Steve Daley

(2:16) Secrets to Generating More Money

(4:24) Achieving Seven Figures as a Solopreneur

(6:23) Importance of Attitude in Business Success

(7:58) Trading Hours for Dollars vs Trading on Value

(9:54) First Step to Building a Million-Dollar Business

(11:25) Sponsor: Book Promotion

(12:31) Avoiding the 80/20 Trap in Professional Service Businesses

(15:13) Sales and Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

(16:17) Concept of Duplication in Business

(17:45) Invitation to Visit Melinda's Blog

(18:05) Mission of Small Biz Chat and Closing Remarks

Laurel Delaney joins me today to discuss exporting as a small business, how to enter into the international trade market, and how to overcome the barriers that may arise along the way. Laurel shares insights into the Chinese marketplace and doing business with Chinese consumers. She shares strategies to effectively promote and sell your products online on international platforms like Alibaba. Laurel also highlights current trends in the Chinese marketplace and resources that can help as you branch out to international markets.

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes guest Laurel Delaney to discuss exporting, particularly to China. They explore the use of Alibaba for business, federal resources for exporting, and building brand awareness in China. The episode concludes with a World Entrepreneur Day discussion and upcoming SmallBizChat on Twitter.

(0:00) Introduction and Welcome by Melinda Emerson

(1:35) Conversation with Guest Laurel Delaney on Exporting

(2:27) Advice and Barriers to Exporting to China

(5:14) Using Alibaba for Business in China

(10:40) Sponsor: Melinda Emerson's Book Promotion

(11:28) Federal Resources for Exporting and Popular Products for Chinese Market

(14:30) Building Brand Awareness in China

(15:37) World Entrepreneur Day Discussion with Laurel Delaney

(16:15) Upcoming: SmallBizChat on Twitter

(16:33) Podcast Outro and Resources Reminder

Lethia Owens joins me today to share her insights on how to approach online marketing effectively. She shares current trends in the online marketing space and the importance of knowing and narrowing in on your “sliver” of the market. She explains what ‘proximity marketing’ is and why optimizing your content for voice as well as SEO is critical to your marketing strategy. Lethia also highlights how to be truly visible to your target market and why it is crucial to meet a need that is more specific than just saving customers time and money.

In this episode, Melinda Emerson introduces guest Lethia Owens, a market domination strategist. They delve into current online marketing trends and the importance of a unique value proposition. Lethia shares her favorite business tools, tips, resources, and underscores the need for regular communication with your market.

(0:00) Introduction to the SmallBizChat podcast

(0:31) Introduction of guest, Lethia Owens

(0:56) Lethia Owen’s background and market domination strategies

(4:16) Current trends in online marketing

(7:19) The role of a unique value proposition in business

(9:48) Sponsor: Melinda Emerson's 3-day business intensive

(10:49) The importance of regular communication with your market

(13:07) Lethia Owen’s favorite business tools and tips

(14:20) Lethia Owen’s favorite business resources

(15:00) Closing remarks from Melinda Emerson