5 Steps to a Successful #GivingTuesday Campaign

5 Steps to a Successful #GivingTuesday Campaign

by | Nov 24, 2020 | Business

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means now is the time to be strategizing your #GivingTuesday campaign. You don’t need a high-level fundraising executive working for your non-profit to get your name out there among the masses. HeartWired Digital has compiled a list of 5 simple steps even the smallest non-profits can take to make #GivingTuesday2020 a successful and profitable celebration.

givingtuesdayStep One: Make it a Celebration

Great news! Your non-profit has survived 2020! That’s reason enough to celebrate! Turn your #GivingTuesday campaign into a celebration of what you’ve accomplished so far in 2020 and what you have in the works for 2021. Shift your mindset from “how to get people to donate” to “how to show people your cause is worth donating to”.

Are you building something new? Are you starting a new project? Is there a specific need you’d like to see met through these #GivingTuesday donations? Announce your project, set a goal, and provide a progress meter that stays up-to-date throughout your campaign.

Invite your current donors, volunteers, and followers to join you in celebrating and show them specifically how they can make an impact moving forward. Is there something measurable within your project that you can anchor a price to? For example, would a $20 donation provide warm bedding for a child in need? Would a $5 donation buy rice for a hungry family? Donors want to see how their money will be put to work, so show them what it will accomplish and why that’s worth celebrating.

givingtuesdayStep Two: Don’t Forget the Basics

With all the creativity and excitement that comes with building an effective #GivingTuesday campaign, it’s easy to overlook the basics. Here’s three things you don’t want to forget:

  1. Join #GivingTuesday- To participate in a #GivingTuesday campaign, you’ll want to register with givingtuesday.org. It takes about 30 seconds to register for their email list. Once you do, a toolkit of ideas, graphics, logos, and Canva templates become available for you to use. They don’t collect your donations. There’s not a list of official registered participants. This just gives you permission to use the #GivingTuesday name and logo for your campaign, which adds to your credibility as a non-profit.

  1. Make Sure Your Donation Button Works- The only thing worse than not receiving donations on #GivingTuesday would be not receiving donations on #GivingTuesday because your Donation button didn’t work. Seriously. Donate $5 to your non-profit right now. Make sure it works smoothly and that it is easy to find on your website. Don’t let inaccessibility or a technical glitch be the reason you lose donors.
  2. Pick a Project Leader- Decide right now who is going to take this ball and run with it. Who will be responsible for implementing these strategies? Who is going to communicate with the rest of the team and keep everyone on the same page? Make sure everyone knows who your point person is on this project and encourage your team to support him or her throughout the campaign.

givingtuesdayStep Three: Get Your “Why” Out

Why are you fundraising? Why does your organization exist? Why are you the logical, trustworthy choice for my donation? Your current donors know who you are but we want the rest of the world to know who you are, too. So, don’t just tell them, show them!

There’s a number of fun, trendy ways to get your “why” out there. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Consider adapting one of these already-successful campaign strategies:

  1. The Unselfie- Many successful non-profits such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation have profited greatly from using the popular hashtag #Unselfie throughout the month of November. Social media users simply hold up  pieces of paper in front of their faces that say, “I’m Giving to (non-profit)  Because (reason)”. They snap their Unselfies and post them on social media with the #Unselfie hashtag and any other hashtags that apply to the specific non-profit. Because the #Unselfie hashtag already has a large following, this is a fun and free way to spread the word about your cause.

  1. Create an “I Give Because” Video- Create and share a video of your current donors reading letters about why they give to your non-profit. Showcase ways people have thanked your organization for meeting the needs of people within your community.

  1. Share Impact Stories- Don’t wait until #GivingTuesday to share how you’ve been making a difference. The week before, share positive impact stories on social media as well as with your email list. Ask your current donors to share impact stories and create fundraisers on their social media accounts, as well.

  1. Involve Your Recipients- Do you have access to individuals your non-profit has helped? Don’t exploit them! That’s icky. But do ask them if they would like to be involved. Ask them to share their stories and to encourage others to give.

givingtuesdayStep Four: Turn Your Celebration into an RSVP-able Event Online

It doesn’t matter how excited you are about your party if nobody shows up. Use the scheduling tools of Google and Facebook to schedule an online “Event” on #GivingTuesday. When followers RSVP, they are sent reminders about the Event and will receive notifications when you go live, share posts, and give updates throughout the day.

Ask your staff, volunteers, donors, recipients, mail carrier, hairdresser, and your mom’s second cousin to share the Event, as well. Statistically, a low percentage of social media users actually show up to the Events that they RSVP to. Even fewer will donate. So saturating the web with your invitation is crucial to spreading awareness and getting your “why” out. Just don’t be spammy. Reach your audience organically and watch the donations roll in.

givingtuesdayStep Five: Follow-Up, Say “Thank You”, and Upsell Your Donations

Did your mother make you write Thank You notes after each birthday party? The sentiment is just as important to Jane and Joe Donor as it is to your Aunt Beatrice. Your donors want to hear from you again and not just when you need more money. Show them how their money has been put to work by sending pictures and letters of thanks from recipients of your organization. Thank them for helping you make a difference in your community. And for the love of financial stability, offer them an opportunity to continue giving on a regular basis.

It’s impossible to check-out online or at a brick and mortar store without being asked if you’d like to supersize, upgrade, or buy another for 50% off. So, make it easy for your donors to give regularly by upselling their donation. Have your web person add a monthly giving feature to your website. Need help with that? We’re happy to assist.

Bonus: Start on Monday

If Walmart can start it’s Black Friday sale a day early, your non-profit can get a jump on things, as well! Consider offering a special gift for donating on Monday, such as a sticker, magnet, ink pen, or anything else you might have a surplus of. No Merch? No worries. Enter everyone who donates on Monday into a drawing for a gift from your organization. Don’t make it something big that will make your donors question how you’re spending their money. Give away something small and personal or ask a business to donate an item that can be given away in your drawing.

Remember, this has been a difficult year but we have all pulled through it because we have pulled together. We appreciate the difference you are making in your own little corners of the world. Continue doing great things! And may your #GivingTuesday campaign be a phenomenal success.

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7 E-commerce Myths Debunked – Why You Should Offer E-commerce!

7 E-commerce Myths Debunked – Why You Should Offer E-commerce!

by | Oct 26, 2020 | Business

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If we have learned anything this year, it is the importance of not only that businesses have a presence online, but also the ability to sell their products or services. Virtually overnight business were shuttered, out of business or scrambling for a new way of doing business. Yet many are still unsure if their website should offer e-commerce or not.

It used to be that e-commerce was thought solely as a way for people to sell tangible or perhaps digital items online.

People that once held the belief that they would never shop for clothes, furniture, car parts, whatever are now shopping that way almost entirely. Even before the pandemic department stores have shut their doors thanks to the emergence of Amazon and other e-commerce powerhouses.

Even while online shopping became a normal way of doing business, there were and still are many thinking that brick and mortar is the ‘only’ way to do business. In fact, we have actually been laughed at ourselves when we have suggested it to business owners, because it would not fit their “model”, or “e-commerce does not work for what we do.”

What if I were to tell you whether you sell physical products, digital products, services or even take donations, e-commerce can fit into your organization. In fact, it likely can increase your sales, no matter what products or services you offer.

This simple concept applies to consumers as well as suppliers and manufacturing. Sure it may mean you won’t need as many sale people in the future, but it also means you won’t need to need them.

Of course there are pros and cons to everything and there are also many misconceptions. It is the misconceptions that I am going to hopefully debunk, and in doing so the cons really won’t amount to much.

Myth #1

You lose the personal touch with e-commerce. Well, not if you are doing it right. Sure you can use AI, chatbots and all kinds of things to simplify the process. The personal touch truly is up to the business and whether they go the extra mile no matter how people buy. E-commerce should be an extension of the way you serve your customers, not a replacement.

Myth #2

Shipping is always so expensive. So is your time, gas and patience when you travel to a store. You avoid traffic, rude customers, pushy salespeople, and can shop in the convenience of your home. All without wasting gas or having to even get dressed. Sure the cost of shipping and handling can be elusive and at times feel like a bait and switch. If you have an idea what the product or service is worth to your customers, pricing them accordingly and being transparent about pricing including shipping, the convenience is worth the extra cost.

Myth #3

Online shopping is risky. If you are shopping at shady places perhaps. Personally I am more comfortable giving my credit card online on an encrypted site than I ever was when they swiped my card and gave me the carbon copy. There are some things to make sure your e-commerce website has to ensure customer safety.

  • Make sure you are using a SSL to encrypt transactions.
  • Use a hosting company that protect you from hacking, malware, and viruses.
  • Provide a privacy policy on your site how you use the customers information.

Myth #4

How do I know what I am really ordering, it might be from China. This is true, actually I just fell victim to this ploy and am still waiting for the product to make it through customs. Yet, again do you research, use a credit card with a protection plan. You can buy plenty of things from China at your local Walmart too, and guess what they ordered them online!

One way to ensure the comfort of your customers is to be transparent about your products or services. If you import, outsource or do anything that may raise concerns, tell them. Being upfront about your practices garner trust and your customers likely won’t care as long as you tell them.

Myth #5

I offer services I don’t need an e-commerce website! So you only like to sell your services in person do you? I mean that means you don’t promote them online, on social media or anything right? Why not give your clients a place to not only read about your products or services, but even schedule and pay for all online, 24/7? Or does that not fit your business needs?

Imagine coming into work and already having your calendar full with new clients, or having orders to ship. All of these activities can happen while you are not at work. Creating a business model to best serve your clients where they are, when they want.

Myth #6

I must always offer a discount to sell online. People that run their business based on offering discounts continually rarely win. Competing on price alone rather than offering more value is a slippery slope for any business whether online or in person.

In a recent KPMG study, a company’s sales team and their customers were asked what they thought were the top purchase criteria. Although, 60% of the sales team put price or discount at the top of the list, only 20% of their customers did the same. It was reported that delivery, reliability, accuracy and quality of service were the most important factors when choosing a supplier, outranking price.

Myth #7

Build it and they will buy. Like any website, any e-commerce site needs a bit more than just a great design and pretty pictures. So many people create sites and then get frustrated. They then fire their web designer because they did not get the ‘traffic’ or sales they wanted. Optimizing your site, whether e-commerce or other, takes skill, time and generally a budget. SEO is just the beginning. Without a strategy you likely won’t see the sales you hope for, at least not long-term.

As shopping online becomes more and more common, and part of the new normal, customers willingness to trust will wane. Click-bait will become more rampant and their ability to decipher a real ‘deal’ will become more difficult. Rather than using short lived strategies that do little beyond burn your cash, build a e-commerce strategy that will last.

We are at the beginning of an economic shift. We will see the the need for brick and mortar locations for many businesses go away. The time is now that your website should offer e-commerce, to prepare for the new way of doing business.

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Why Reputation Management is Important to Small Businesses

Why Reputation Management is Important to Small Businesses

by | Sep 6, 2020 | Business

Turning your customers into advocate is any small business owners dream. Reputation management is how to influence the way people think about not only your brand but also you. Heard the saying you are your brand and your brand is you. Reputation of your brand has nothing to do with you as a person, so much as it has to do with people’s perception of you. Today that is based a great deal on Google searches, AI and reviews both good and bad.

Overview:

  • What is reputation management
  • How to control the conversation
  • Is there a difference between your reputation and your business’
  • Can you control what people read about you?

Reputation management has become a popular term that is used in the marketing, SEO, and online branding spheres. It goes by various names and service descriptions, but they all have the same goal in mind. The goal is to ‘manage’ the perception the public has about a person, a business, and in many cases both.

Reputation management defined

Activities performed by individual or organization which attempt to maintain or create a certain frame of mind regarding themselves in the public eye. Reputation management is the process of identifying what other people are saying or feeling about you or your business; and taking steps to ensure that the general consensus is in line with your goals. Many people and organizations use various forms of social media to monitor their reputation.

Business Dictionary

While there are many definitions depending on who you talk to. One thing that remains consistent about reputation management is it is an attempt to control the way people think.

1. Start where your customer start

We spend the vast part of our days online, so do our customers. Unfortunately if you know anything about the internet, you should know is it not always true or accurate. It is even more true when people read things about you online, as you have no control over the context as to what they read or where. In other words, protect your brand always, and make sure you represent your brand both on and offline.

Your reputation and that of your small business lives, breathes and potentially can be destroyed online. What people read about you and your business is sometimes just as true as the news. It is up to you to protect your brand, as well control your reputation. Reputation management in a digital world can be similar to having a public relations expert online 24/7 listening as well as controlling the conversation about your brand.

2. How to control the conversation in a crisis and everyday

Ever read something about a person or a business and jump to a conclusion based on what you read? Of course you have, everyone has. In fact we many times are quick to share a story on social media before ever checking to see if it is true. In moments a person or a small businesses reputation can be in crisis. What if you or your business was not listening and did not know until ti was too late and the damage was done.

The best way to survive a social media backlash is to avoid one. Be mindful that anything you post can potentially be seen by many, many people.

The Hartford

One way to obviously avoid some missteps is to not make them yourself. General rule of thumb, don’t say or do anything you would not be proud to show your grandmother. Stay away from tasteless jokes, politics, or anything that can be divisive, and we all know anything can be construed as divisive with the right audience. Remain vigilant in keeping in touch with the pulse and climate of the world around you. Something that was poignant and funny yesterday could be trite or devastating today.

Simple steps to take to control your reputation

  • Read what you post, reread it before you post.
  • Just because you think it, does not mean you have to say it
  • Compassion and sensitivity go a long way
  • Represent what you want people to see with every post.

One way to know what people are saying about you or your company is to listen. This goes beyond just reading (and responding) to their reviews of you. Create listeners on Google Alerts or other places that will alert you every time you, your tagline, or your business are mentioned. Pay attention to your social media channels, or hire someone to monitor them for you. Plenty of people and businesses have been ruined by a simple tweet, you don’t want you be next.

3. You are your brand, and your brand is you

Somewhere along the way people have felt that they can speak their minds on social media, blog posts, and other mediums as themselves and think it won’t reflect their brand. Newsflash you are your company and your company is you. Anything you say or do is associated with your brand and vice versa. When you are concerned about your reputation management strategy for your business then send an off color tweet, that causes mixed signals for the public.

We see time and time again owners of large corporations have to make public apologies for something they said “privately”, the same thing happens with small businesses and their owners. Being authentic in your messaging is key for a brands reputation. The same kind of social responsibility should be used when speaking as yourself.

So how can reputation management help? It is simple, yet complex. One way control your online reputation is to provide digestible content for people to find. Without getting too technical, you want others to be talking about you as well as your brand in a positive light on a regular basis.

I am sure if you ever worked for a big corporation, or simply read a magazine or newspaper you have seen a press release or two. Or perhaps you were getting ready to buy a new product like a book and all of sudden the internet was inundated with reviews before it hits the shelves. These are a couple of examples on how brands both big and small are controlling the conversation. Tactics like these can be used to manage the reputation of small business like your own.

4. Why online reputation management and can you really control the conversation?

Online content can circulate in literally second and the way people perceive your brand can change forever. All you have to do is look back on brands and people who were convicted in the courts of public opinion whether true or not. All it takes is a tweet, a Google review, or a Facebook post and things can spiral out of control.

One way to control the conversation is to provide people something to talk about as well as increase you ranking authority. You can do this by creating press releases, blog post, whitepapers, social media campaigns, and organically grow your online reputation by providing authentic links to connect to your brand.

Another way is to use customer reviews to their fullest. Whether you focus on Google, Facebook, Clutch, Yelp, wherever you get reviews, respond to them. One step that is just below a negative review is one that is not responded to good or bad. If it is a positive review, thank the customer for their valuable feedback. If it is a negative review, apologize if you were wrong, acknowledge them even if you were not. However do not argue with them in the comments for the whole world to see. Take the conversation offline if you can, make amends if necessary. Arguing in a public forum, simply makes you look bad.

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So, how is your reputation management process working?

Reputation management is an important part of owning a small business in today’s word full of tweeters, Instagramers, media outlets and keyboard warriors. In seconds your brand can be tarnished, and its effects can last for years to come. Many people are likely thankful they lived their younger years before the internet, as now the lasting stain of someone’s opinion can last forever.

Reputation, while much of it cannot be controlled, you do possess the abilities and in some cases rights to sway the power it holds. If you would like to learn more of how to expand you online reputation in the forms of content creation, guest posts, press releases and more let us know we would love to help. Contact us to learn more on how we can help

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5 Tips on How to Keep Marketing Compassionate During COVID-19

5 Tips on How to Keep Marketing Compassionate During COVID-19

by | Apr 10, 2020 | Business

The past few weeks have been one for the record books. We all have been forced to adjust amid this latest pandemic COVID-19. Personally, social distancing is a bit of a normal daily routine as is washing our hands. However, the latest events have even introverts like us a bit weary.

Our company is used to working remotely so that has not been a huge change for us. Our daily operations, along with the closures of vendors, clients, and a shift in our normal activities has been a cause for reevaluating our processes.

During these uneasy times, there are a lot of questions we keep hearing from other small businesses as well as other agencies. Many of these questions surround marketing, and how or even if they should be promoting themselves or their services during times of fear. Should we talk about COVID-19? Will we keep selling while people are cutting back? Shall we discuss the things we are doing to keep our customers safe? How much is too much or how little is too little as far as our level of communication and transparency?

So many questions, it is all a bit overwhelming to consider, isn’t it?

At HeartWired Digital, we put a great deal of effort into being transparently human in everything we do. Compassion for others is our focal point as we believe that people are the pulse of our business. We do this with intention, and even when we are in crisis as many would say we are now, we do our research first before being compulsory in our messaging.

Would it be easier to jump on the pandemic bandwagon and use fear of the unknown as a tactic? Possibly. Is it better to use a knee-jerk reaction to a media story? Or to change our message in order to fit the mainstream? Perhaps. You will not find us or hopefully our clients doing either though. In times of uncertainty, do you need to adjust your sails? Absolutely! Do you need to quit marketing and start placating to the whims of others? Never!

We have put together some tips on how to effectively (and compassionately) market your business during the COVID-19 crisis.

First and foremost before we even jump into that, one thing you should NOT be doing at this time is…

“Don’t use fear to get sales!”

This should go without saying, but so many messages out there are manipulating peoples’ emotions by focusing on fear. This is the time to be transparent and provide security rather than take advantage of a vulnerable population. Do things now, that provide even a higher level of sensitivity than you may even normally provide. The way we as businesses behave in times of need will reflect in loyalty from your customers in times of comfort.

Now back to the tips businesses can use to keep marketing compassionate during COVID-19.

Tips on How to Keep Marketing Compassionate During COVID-19

While we are in uncharted waters for our time as far as marketing goes, or just business in general. While it is okay to market, in fact, we encourage you to market your brand during these uneasy times versus stopping. It all takes a different level of sensitivity to your message as well as what your clients need.

Your Emails May Need Rewriting

Many companies write their marketing emails weeks if not months in advance and then schedule them using their CRM. While this is a great practice to ensure that you have campaigns running while creativity may be lapsing. The emails you wrote in February quite possibly are not the right message you should be using now. A good practice is to review your upcoming emails to ensure they are empathetic to the time we currently are surviving in.

Social Media Marketing for Information Rather Than Sales

Advertising dollars should be spent on social media marketing as you usually would. In fact, you may even consider increasing them with the upcoming bonuses from both Google and Facebook while available. Your message likely needs to adjust. Right now many people have slowed or even suspended their spending. Rather than advertising for sales, now is the time to be marketing to build. Build your list by providing more value through your marketing.

Market Value for Sales Later

People are scared and they don’t know what the economy looks like tomorrow. Many small to mid-size businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. The last thing they need or want is another sales pitch. If you have the capacity to focus beyond tomorrow and offer more value today for free, you will be remembered. They will remember the one that provided empathy and were willing to give away their content during times of uncertainty. If you are constantly pitching people to buy during your “Coronavirus Sale”, you likely are losing more customers than you will ever gain.

It’s Not About You, It Never Was.

People like to know that the businesses that they give their hard-earned money to, care about them. Let me rephrase, people like to have a relationship with the local businesses they support. This means your messaging needs to reflect your community. If you are providing different hours, better pricing, or new services during this time, let them know. People will care more about that than hearing how you are washing your hands, cleaning after your customers, and have stockpiles of toilet paper. Those are all things people take for granted that you are already doing on a daily basis, they really don’t want to read about it in your newsletter or on your website.

Make Sure Your Business Can Be Found

How we all are used to doing business has likely changed forever, or at least in part. The new normal will look a bit different than the way small to medium-sized businesses do business. One thing many realized quickly as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded is they needed a way to be found. Many businesses resorted to marketing their message on solely social media since they did not have a website. Unfortunately, everyone did that and therefore their message likely was muted if not blocked entirely. Having a website, even a simple brochure site has become vital. Not only in times when everyone is online but also when we return to our new normal.

Prepare Now for Tomorrow’s Surge (Extra Tip)

Whenever there is a crisis that affects our economy, especially an economy as strong as ours was before this all started, you need to be prepared for the surge. People are resilient. They will be looking to grow their business and make up for lost time and income. One way to prepare your business now for the surge is to ensure not only your message but also your SEO, your brand, your story, will all resonate and have a long-reaching effect. While we are in this “stay at home” model for the short-term, businesses need to be working on the long-term as far as their marketing goals and strategy.

Wrapping Up

At HeartWired we have always tried to meet our customers where they are (currently this includes Zoom meetings, Chats, Email, etc.). The more businesses are able to be flexible and adjust to the changing times, we increase our chances of not only survival but growth.

We understand these are uncertain times and hope that you have been able to gain some insight on how to adjust your marketing accordingly to the brand new world we live in. The ability to pivot and adjust your verticle markets allows your business to grow even during times like these.

Empathy and compassion for others will gain more loyalty in the long run than any other marketing campaign you and your creative team can come up with.

If you would like to discuss how HeartWired Digital Solutions can help your business grow, please contact us online or give us a call 904.660.5185.

Stay healthy and safe everyone, together we are stronger.

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Brands, Engage Online! Your Customers are Waiting!

Brands, Engage Online! Your Customers are Waiting!

by | Jul 9, 2018 | Business

In today’s fast paced world, customers want engaging content. Content that is mobile-friendly and easy to access from their smartphones on the go. Businesses that want to engage with their customers as well as gain new ones must adapt to the every changing flow. The way you used to do business where you posted an ad online or did a email blast every once in awhile is just not enough to hold your potential client’s interest much less attention.

Brand engagement with those that are looking for their good or services will differentiate themselves from their competition by interacting and being found.

No matter your brand, it is time to engage online, your customers are waiting.

Social media channels of brands especially small businesses many times go left unattended. If you have not posted within the last week or so, you likely have lost customers. They are not interested in doing business with a brand that is not interested in them. And yes, they will leave you for someone else without thinking twice.

Lack of engagement shows lack of interest, whether true or not, perception is reality.

Same goes for your company website. If your site is aged and has not had any recent post activity. Your brand is perceived to be stale.

If you suffer from broken links, poor images or your site’s user experience is below par. It may be time to redesign and refresh your site. You might think you don’t have time or the know how to make your site come alive. There are web designers that would be more than happy to help you out and get you up to speed with your clients and their needs.

Have you gotten a 5 star review from a enthusiastic client, yet you did not respond? A few seconds of your time could easily create a return loyal customer and even generate new ones.

No longer is it okay to think that just because your company is on social media that means you are socially relevant.

Having a website is no longer enough, your visitors want interaction. In the age of chatbots and AI, a site with a “please email us at” is no longer enough.

Is your company “voice friendly”? That means when they search for a restaurant, dog groomer, or whatever “near them” are you the one being found? You might be thinking that is crazy as you say “Ok Google” or “Hey Alexa” in your home, office or just on your phone. Voice is not only the future it is now.

No matter the way you choose to engage with your customers, the key is that you do. You spend time, energy, and money creating your brand. It is time you spend similarly on engaging with your customers the way they want to be engaged.

How are you engaging with your customers? We would love to hear your thoughts on the future of brand engagement. Leave a comment and share your thoughts and ideas below.

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Some of the Best Business Advice Was From The Guy Washing My Car

Some of the Best Business Advice Was From The Guy Washing My Car

by | Jun 17, 2018 | Business

This may sound a bit obscure, but as a local small business owner, some of the best business advice I have received was from the guy washing my cars.

A few months ago my neighbor was having his cars washed and detailed. Busy running my business, our vehicles were in need of a good detail themselves. I went next door and hired the guy and his team on the spot to clean our cars as well.

As he finished up cleaning our cars, we got to talking about his business. He shared with me some of his recent wins in the car detailing industry. He mentioned how a program through our local Chamber of Commerce really changed the way he ran his business.

Small businesses depend on other small businesses to survive. If we fail to support one another we all lose.

This program he mentioned I had heard about at a couple of Chamber council meetings but had not given it much thought. When he shared about how the program worked and that it was open to anyone in the community. Whether you were a business owner or just someone who had a dream. It did not matter if you were a  Chamber member or not. He peaked my interest, if for nothing else but the passion in his voice as he shared how it helped his business grow.

That evening I went online and found information about the Jax Bridges program through the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Submitting my application I felt unprepared and unequipped to join the program based on the questions on the application. Little did I know that those questions proved how ready I was for the program.

After a few more steps in the process, a couple weeks had passed I was accepted into the next cohort of Jax Bridges.

Little did I know that the next twelve weeks of my company’s existence would change how I did business entirely.

Jax Bridges is a program provided through the Entrepreneurial Growth Division of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. It gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to vet their product or service. They take you through the process of creating a business model, value proposition, capability statement and so much more. It is an educational opportunity based on real life experiences rather than the antiquated ideas taught in textbooks. All of which provides each entrepreneur the tools and skills to be successful.

Business owners are inundated with what business advice that generally amounts to little more than opinion.

Jax Bridges gives you not only advice but actionable ways to implement the tools step by step to build your business. Whether you are a fledgling startup or a veteran business owner, everyone can reap the rewards and benefits learned in the program.

After graduating from cohort 8, my business, the way we interact with our customers and community is forever changed. We have more focus to provide the services to the clients we serve. By leveraging our resources we are prepared to scale our business in a way I could never have imagined or even attempted a short three months ago.

Now you may be wondering how is it that not only a business changing, but in some aspects life changing organization like Jax Bridges stay somewhat unheard of? The answer is simple, they need no advertising or marketing plan themselves. Graduates like myself spread the word organically. After 8 cohorts there are enough coin holding ambassadors in and around Jacksonville to keep Jax Bridges going for years to come. In fact if you happen to know an entrepreneur or small business that just does things differently there is a good chance they too hold the coin to success.

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