Forge News and Updates |
Forge Member Jacqueline Jones of One Degree MMM wrote a blog post to warn small business owners as they prepare for the holiday sale season. Pay attention entrepreneurs! You need this info:
We all know that holiday season comes at the same time every year. But for some reason, entrepreneurs and small business owners tend to treat it, each year, as though it’s a brand new concept.
Jacqueline Jones of One Degree MMM
While complaining about big box stores having their Christmas decorations up in October, they neglect to turn their attention to their own brand’s holiday plans.
Because the words holiday and sale are practically synonymous in the United States, let’s address where small business owners fall short in taking advantage of a seeming buffet of open wallets and thoughtless spending consumers.
5. Small Businesses Fail to Establish Their Marketing Process in Advance.
Figuring it out as you go along shows that you didn’t believe that your products would fly off the shelves or your services would book to capacity. In a perfect world, small business owners would establish a sales funnel that met prospective buyers at each level of their journey of interaction with their brand.
Marketing at each step helps to push your audience closer and closer to their final commitment. Further, it gives the business owner something to track to figure out where the sale gets lost in translation.
Establish your process and work on your sales funnel. If you don’t know how to pull this plan together, consult with a marketing professional to get on the right track!
4. Small Business Don’t Engage Their Audience Before The Ask.
Unfortunately, a large number of small business owners don’t speak to their audience until they have something to sell. That’s never really a good idea. It’s a worse idea in the busiest sales season of the year. Further, most small businesses primarily use social media as a way to promote and advertise their product or service. By now, we all know that algorithms favor those who are consistent.
Once you’ve made a plan for your sale, turn your attention to what you will do between now and that sale. Interacting with your customers will help build your relationship to both avoid being ignored because you only show up when you want money, and rank higher in platform algorithms. Interacting with your audience may even lead you to adjust what services or products you’ve chosen to highlight for your holiday sale. Put your ear to the streets early!
3. Small Business Don’t Invest in Promotion or Advertising to Increase Brand and Sale Awareness.
If only letting your circle friends know what you have to offer is enough for you to grow your business, GREAT! KEEP AT IT! If you are looking to scale your business and pick up new customers and clients during this busy sale season, start now figuring out what you can budget to support your fantastic holiday sale.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “You have to spend money to make money.” Well, it’s true. Social media, Google, and other platforms practically do the work for you. Your job as the marketer of your brand is to research to figure out what will work best, then put your money where your audience is.
2. Small Business Don’t Ask The Price That Generates Revenue.
The word “sale” can quickly make small business owners forget they have a bottom line. Getting caught up in the competition of it all makes brands feel forced to go lower and lower on the price curve. Stand your ground. Ask what you’re worth, even while it’s on sale.
The first step to accomplishing is having done the work of understanding your pricing in the first place. Since you’re starting early, if you haven’t done so, do it. Then stand tall and ask for the sale.
1. Small Business Wait Until The Last Minute To Make Holiday Sale Decisions.
You can’t possibly be surprised by this. This #1 mistake is the entire reason why this post exists. My team and I strive to help business owners level the sale season playing field single-handedly.
For this reason, I’ve introduced a new and limited-time consultation.
Check out the Small Business Holiday Prep Consultation available now through October 15!
Go on… GO BE GREAT! 
Forge News and Updates |
Hello! My name is Emily Jackson and I’m an upcoming senior at Samford University. I’m studying marketing and finance and had the pleasure of interning at Forge this summer. I knew nothing about Forge or its purpose before my internship! But my interest continually grew as I came to Forge and began meeting Forge members and attending Forge events. I wrote this blog post about what I’ve learned and why I could never work alone.
In a time where technology has made it very easy to be able to work from where you are, so many people choose to work from home. For many, that initially sounds like a dream, but for me that sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Not only would I distract myself from my work, but the extrovert in me would be drained and exhausted all of the time. Since working at Forge, I have realized I won’t ever have to put myself through that! The benefits of coworking far exceed working from home or a coffee shop. Here are my top five reasons for working out of Forge!
Community
- I’ve realized how valuable it is to network with other young professionals and meet new people! Forge is packed full of entrepreneurs, remote works and small business owners who are doing amazing things in Birmingham.
- At Forge, I’m not alone. Of course that sounds obvious, but I have realized that simply being in an environment with others around you is incredibly important. It gives you more energy than staying in your basement or home office to work!
Productivity
- I really need a quiet space to focus and be productive. Forge has just the right atmosphere with great playlists. It’s not as quiet as a library but not too noisy like a coffee shop- a great balance!
- The access to conference rooms is essential! If you are working in a group or meeting with a client, Forge has a variety of conference rooms you can book easily. After spending significant time in coffee shops, I realize how difficult it can be for a team to productively meet in a crowded atmosphere like that.
Growth
- The Lunch & Learn events at Forge can help you grow as an entrepreneur or simply as an employee or student. I’ve learned about stress management hacks for the modern entrepreneur and how legal affects your small business. Forge always chooses topics that are relevant to you and your business!
- At Forge you can easily receive feedback from the community around you. Feedback is so important for growth and at Forge you have the community surrounding you whenever you need to ask questions or get opinions about a certain project or pitch.
Location
- If you want to be in the heart of the action, Forge is the perfect spot for you. Being downtown in the Pizitz building is fun and energizing! With so much change and growth downtown, Forge is where you want to be.
- Let’s not ignore the close proximity to the Pizitz food hall! The food hall is packed with a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options from around the world. Even if you have a packed schedule of work for the day, you can grab food downstairs in just a few minutes.
Atmosphere
- Forge strikes of a balance of being both relaxing and professional at the same time. You can feel confident bringing a client in for a business meeting at Forge rather than a coffee shop or your own home!
- The environment is bright and welcoming! With big windows around the whole second floor at Forge, you can be certain the sunlight will be much more energizing than your dark basement!
In conclusion, my experience with Forge has taught me how I like to work with others! I love knowing everything that Forge has to offer. Forge is an inspiring atmosphere filled with lots of creative people! I can’t wait to share about Forge with my fellow Samford students.
Forge News and Updates |
If you’re needing advice for your email campaigns, look no further. The team at 24 Communications wrote this blog post to teach you the words you need and the words you need to avoid. Also check out this video they made to go along with the post. The Forge team loves learning from our members like 24c. Read on!
We all know that words have power, but when it comes to your business’s email marketing campaigns, do you really know which words will encourage your subscribers to act, buy, and/or give?
Believe it or not, a few small tweaks to changing how you write your emails just might be the key to increasing engagement. By using more influential words, you can push your subscribers to take the action your email campaign intends to ignite. You’ve landed in your customers’ inboxes; now it’s time for some reciprocation.
The experts at 24 Communications are here to help you uncover the most powerful words and phrases to use for your email marketing campaigns – the ones that ensure maximum effectiveness.
How to use powerful words in your email campaigns
To better help you identify the most powerful email subject line words for your email campaigns, consider these helpful tips:
1. Lead with emotion
Avoid the overused click-bait jargon and aim to appeal to your audience’s emotions instead. Consider the pain points of your customer base and how they will feel when your product or service helps solve that problem. These are the emotions that will increase the power of your email content.
Think of adding some of these pain point healing words in your email campaign subject:
- Tired of feeling [X]
- Grr!
- [X] doesn’t have to be hard
- Make [X] fun again
- Ugh!
- Learn to love [X] again
- [X] survival guide
- [X] 101
2. Dig further into the pain point
If you prefer to cut right to the chase and want to leave emotion to the solution, dig into the pain point to show how you can make your customers’ problem or struggle painless. Instead of going with “wow” words, target specifically what your ideal customers care about.
Effective email campaign words that center around pain points and/or solutions include:
- Ready
- Beat
- Advance
- Save
- Develop
- Complete
- Avoid
- Change
- Escape
- Improve
- Gain
- Faster
- Easier
- Sooner
3. Keep it in the now
Call to action. Call to action. Call to action! We can’t stress it enough.
Words and phrases that inspire a sense of urgency instantly make your emails and subject lines more powerful. You can spark urgency without using all caps or a gazillion exclamation points. Try incorporating these words into your email campaigns:
- Now
- Fast
- Save your spot
- Limited time
- Before tickets run out
- Limited supply
- First come, first serve
- Be the first
- The clock is ticking
- Don’t miss [X]
- Before [X] is gone
4. Make it personal
Throw third person out the window. Your email campaigns become more compelling when you address your customers personally. The intimacy, so to speak, gives your message a personal feel.
This viewpoint can make your subscriber feel like you’re speaking to them exclusively, rather than a group of people. Try these words on for size:
- You
- Your
- Our
- Us
- All of us
- We
- Together, we…
5. Show them you care
A little goes a long way – in life and in your emails. Show your customers a little love by using appreciative words in your email campaigns and subject lines.
When you reach a new goal, thank your customers with a new deal, host a customer appreciation event, or send a kind email thanking new subscribers for signing up. And don’t forget to use these:
- Thank you
- Thanks
- You’re the best
- We appreciate you
- Couldn’t have done it without you
- Here’s a reward
- You deserve this
- Because you helped us [X], we’re giving you [Y]
- You’re awesome
- Because of you, [X]
- Thanks to you, [X]
More tips for effective email campaigns…
Don’t get lost in the inbox abyss of personal messages, promotions, spam sales, news pushes, and more. Here are some more words we suggest using in your email campaign subject line to help you stand out:
- Secrets
- Tips
- Effective
- Learn how to [X] with this guide
- The [X] you’ve been waiting for
Words and characters to avoid
Just steer clear whenever you can:
- Free
- Buy
- Purchase
- Order
- Urgent
- ALL CAPS WORDS
- Exclamation points !!!!!
- Dollar signs $$$
Keep in mind that the ‘rules’ for powerful words are not all black and white. In fact, the most powerful words for emails and their subject lines will vary by industry, and according to what’s being offered and who it’s being offered to.
What works for one business may not work for another, and what works for one brand’s personality may not work for another. The key really getting to know your audience base and what appeals to them. Use these guidelines and apply them to your business, then use your metrics to test, measure, and optimize the most powerful words for your email campaigns.
Need some more help? We’ve got your back! The experts at 24 Communications specialize in everything from email campaigns and newsletters to the development and implementation of marketing plans with copy and design that is maximized for sharable content. We find strategic ways to leverage your content across multiple platforms to maximize your brand reach.
Get in touch with the experts at 24 Communications today. We can’t wait to work with you!
Forge News and Updates |
With so much growth in businesses today, new and innovative ideas are leading to more startups and independent businesses. According to Huffington Post, 33% of the current workforce is independent or freelance, and this number is projected to grow to 40% by 2020. Because of this, more people are ditching traditional office spaces and overcrowded coffee shops and moving into the flexible atmosphere of a shared workspace.
With Birmingham quickly becoming a growing hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses owners, people are constantly searching for a more relaxed, enjoyable, and communal place to work.
The answer? Coworking spaces.
We’ve sifted through the options and compiled a list of the top coworking spaces in Birmingham.
1. Forge
Located right above the Pizitz Food Hall, Forge offers a unique layout that is both architecturally captivating and engaging with its members. Lots of natural light, free Revelator coffee, and a modern atmosphere overlooking the city gives Forge an edge over other spaces.
A membership at Forge includes a number of things: a flexible workspace, conference rooms, private offices, member events and best of all, a network of business leaders. With breakthrough sessions, Lunch and Learns, and Member spotlights, Forge encourages member engagement and creates a network that leaves a lasting impact on the community.
As the first professional coworking space in downtown Birmingham, Forge finishes as number one on our list. So head to the Pizitz, grab a bite to eat, and come work at Forge!
2. The Hub
Located in West Homewood, The Hub is a coworking spot that offers a communal work space, conference rooms, and event spaces.
Aside from free Wifi and unlimited Seeds coffee, The Hub offers a community. The Hub takes it a step further in redefining the value of collaborative coworking – with a lounge area, putt putt course, and communal garden, the Hub encourages collaborative relationships within its members. Their focus is on the people, making it a rich experience.
“We build together, create together, dream together, imagine, re-imagine, redefine, and give life to the unimaginable.”
3. MAKEbhm
A makerspace in the heart of Avondale is the perfect spot for creatives and artists looking for a place to work. With studios, class offerings, and retail spaces, MAKEbhm draws in creatives and gives them access to equipment they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.
Though primarily a studio space, MAKEbhm does have the option for a creative coworking membership. With an entire floor dedicated to coworking, members have access to the lounge area, conference rooms, community tables, and private offices.
MAKEbhm provides the free Wifi, coffee, tools, and space – you provide the inspiration.
4. Innovation Depot
Innovation Depot: Birmingham’s home for startups. With all 140,000 square feet dedicated to housing technology, startups, and entrepreneurs in the Birmingham area, Innovation Depot gives business owners a competitive advantage in growing their business.
Innovation Depot provides a coworking space for members to work alongside other entrepreneurs. With conference rooms and assigned desks available, members are able to take advantage of space and resources needed to promote their business. Want access to seminars and events, fast Wifi, and an affordable spot to work? Check out Innovation Depot.
Forge News and Updates |
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Forge for our first ever pitch night! We love hearing about the exciting businesses that are growing out of the Magic City! Your Big Idea was a huge success and we are excited to start planning the next one. If you weren’t able to join us, here’s a recap of the event!
Our 3 Panelists: Buddy Palmer, Lakey Boyd and Jacqueline Jones
First, happy hour of course! Drinks and snacks provided by our sponsor, ServisFirst Bank! Then we heard 4 minute pitches from 4 different presenters. We allowed for a quick Q&A with the crowd and our 3 panelists gave feedback on each presentation.
Donnie Garvich with Two Ravens
The Two Ravens team is based out of Forge! They are a technical innovation firm that provides R&D and Product Development services. Two Ravens works with partners to solve their most complex problems. By combining decades of technical experience with an empathetic, research-based approach, they aim to improve lives by creating not just great products, but engaging experiences.
Kala Northrup with Match Chocolate
Match Chocolate is a small batch bean-to-bar chocolate maker right here in Birmingham! They take cocoa beans and thoughtfully craft chocolate with a sense of place, highlighting the natural flavors of different parts of the world. With just cocoa beans and cane sugar Kala makes single origin chocolate bars, truffles and pastry provisions. The name Match Chocolate comes from the pairings created that showcase the differences found within just two ingredients ethically sourced, separated by geography and matched in flavor.
Erin Holtz with Refueled
Refueled is an all inclusive fitness app partnering with the best health and wellness businesses to provide members with their very own customizable fitness, health, and wellness plans. The Refueled technology offers packages to relax, to recover, and to refresh because we feel as though it is important to refuel your body in each of these ways. You can choose the fitness package that best fits your needs. Each week you will pick your classes that will fit into your schedule. Then simply walk in the studio, check in or purchase your service!
Stanley Stevenson of Stevenson Design
Stevenson Design works to improve home and business environments through thorough, thoughtful design. With a Bachelors degree in Interior Design, Stanley began working as a draftsman and 3D modeler. He moved into space planning and logistics management. With a decade of experience in managing people and processes, Stanley is available to help small businesses with anything from interior design to web design and digital strategy.
Thank you to ServisFirst Bank for sponsoring the first Your Big Idea event! We loved hosting and meeting new professionals in Birmingham. We’re already looking forward to the next event with another group of entrepreneurs!
