SageEden CEO featured in the Media!

Hello all!

Exciting news once again for SageEden -- SageEden CEO Sharell Carroll was featured in the Thursday issue of The Punch in the "Woman in action" section. 

This was another great opportunity to put SageEden in the spotlight and expose the company to new publics. If you know of media opportunities to highlight your company, take them!

Stay Connected-Get Involved with Community Events!

This past weekend, Team Sageeden Media Group participated in the SelfStarters Trade Show which showcased several businesses owned by Bahamian Entrepreneurs 30 and under.

It was also a great networking opportunity and we were able to get local media coverage in the press, via print, radio and television.

With this in mind, I wanted to remind you that there is no event too big or too small to participate in. Try to get involved with your community through trade shows and other gatherings that will give you marketing exposure and assist in promoting your company. You never know where your next client will come from so just be ready to jump in and participate.

Things to enhance your display set up at events like trade shows include:

Preparation: Be prepared in advance to have a lovely display set up. Knowing who your audience is helps a lot as well. Also try to have items that would be interactive and a sign in sheet so that you can remain in contact with those passing by or who are directly interested in your services.

A large banner: Ensure that your banner displays your company’s logo and slogan as well as a brief listing of your products or services. Remember that most people are visual so including a few photos of your various events or actual products would be beneficial.

Flyers and business cards: Don’t spare the expense! Ensure that you have eye catching and creative flyers and business cards handy because people who stop by your booth, or table will need something tangible to get in contact with you.

Visual Aids: These could include a computer screen or monitor that will portray video footage or even photos of your company’s activities.

Flowers:  Even if you don’t sell flowers, they can be a great accessory for the table. When setting up your displays, try to have something eye catching for your potential clients to notice.

People with personality: No matter how great your company is, if you don’t have the right faces and people sharing the information with those passing by, then all the effort is in vain. Smiling faces and genuine smiles definitely draw people in!

Lights camera action! Get ready to experience the best that life has to offer you as an entrepreneur who is making things happen.

Remember that your attitude determines just how far you go and grow. Life can be beautiful when you begin to believe that it can. No matter how difficult it may get, awaking to another day gives one hope that the best is still yet to come.

As the year wraps up, keep pushing. You never know where you will meet your next million dollar client, so treat everyone with respect and kindness!

All the best to you and yours!

Purpose Packed- Anointed for Kingdom Business

I originally had planned to write about event locations in the Bahamas- but today I feel like writing about an event that I think will do so much more for this country and world at large. Many times when we hear people talking about the activities and events that young persons are involved in (or able to become involved in) and it is negative. It doesn't have to always be this way. Love, Life, Help and Hope International Ministries (LLHHICM) is embracing on a major community initiative to change this. 




LLHHICM on Saturday 12^th November, 2011 we will be hosting “Purpose Packed” a self development Youth Conference and Job Expo. Under the timely theme of "Anointed for Kingdom Business" they want to take young persons to a newer place of thought. This event will be held on the grounds of New Redeemed Tabernacle (COGIC), Refuge Court of Cowpen Road, Nassau Bahamas.

This initiative targets young people in the community between the ages of 15 - 35 years old. The Purpose-Packed Youth Conference is designed to demonstrate to young people that true purpose and potential can be unlocked regardless of life’s challenges. In a time where persons are being told that dreams cannot be achieved because of their age, socio-economic background, gender, race or other background this conference is key. It is time that youth know that they can have all they want- they just need to be diligent & strive for it. 

With Purpose Packed speakers such as: Keshelle Kerr, Minister Vanright Whylly, Chavara Roker, Mr. Mickel Lightbourne, Sharell Carroll and others the youth are getting advice from persons who are positive role models. This Conference is not just filled with speakers- it also includes a Job Expo for the youth so that they get an idea of what areas are out there for them. They want to help the young persons of the communities think outside of the box.

If you have youth in your home or neighbourhood who seem not to have a purpose for their life this is a great event to send them to. Purpose Pack 2011 promises to be an awesome time of spiritual enlightenment, development and fellowship and promises to be an amazing event to attend. For further information contact Chavara Roker (Conference Coordinator) @ purposepacked2011@gmail.com. 

Until next time- stay planning, stay encouraged, stay blessed.

Ways to Increase Engagement on Facebook!

A reoccurring theme I have noticed within the small business and nonprofit arenas is Facebook engagement. Everyone is aware of the importance of engaging on Facebook, but cannot seem to get enough audience involvement to truly make it worthwhile. So, here are my secrets to increased Facebook engagement.

Ask Questions!

When you are sitting in a coffee shop, or at a work mixer, the best way to engage with someone is to ask questions. So it goes without saying why this tactic would generate more responses on Facebook. However, there are a few tricks to this trade. John Haydon sums up the key to asking questions superbly in his “16 Ways To Get More Comments On Your Facebook Page” post. He says:

“Asking questions are probably the easiest way[s] to get fans commenting. But keep in mind that Facebook fans don’t like homework. If they have to spend time trying to understand a question, they’ll be less likely to answer it.”

The takeaway here is to be simple in your questions. These are my top 5 question types:

• Yes /No
• True/ False
• Requesting Tips or Recommendations
• Ask “heart string” questions
• Specific Questions

An added benefit of asking questions is that you get a better understanding of your audience based on their responses.

Responding to Comments

One of the first things I learned about engagement is that the company, brand or person behind the blog post, Facebook post, or Tweet, should almost always respond to comments. The key to replying according to Guy Kawasaki is to do it:

• Fast: Within 24 hours
• Often: Reply to everyone’s comments, and comment on your fans/followers’ posts as well

Always responding to comments may not be the best practice for all cases. A company should never directly defame their critic over social media. There are two large companies that do this well and use different approaches:

• Dunkin Donuts: hardly ever addresses negative criticism, instead their fans/followers respond
• LivingSocial: always takes negative conversations away from social media, by publicly requesting the follower/fan to call or email them

While it is important to engage it is equally important to stay away from conducting negative conversations over social media. By doing this you ensure that they do not evolve in a public arena, and that you are not feeding the media negative information.

When to publish a post

Everyone knows that it is important to share information on Facebook. But did you know that you could generate up to 20% more engagement by sharing it at specific times? Below is a table designed by Buddy Media which indicates when publishing information should generate the most engagement. Over the course of two weeks in January - February 2011, they analyzed the Facebook posts and engagement rates of approximately 200 clients, to generate these results:

Strategies for effective Facebook wall posts

By timing the publishing of content when fans/followers are most likely to be on Facebook, companies/brands have a higher probability of being seen in newsfeeds and updates. These results do not mean that all information should only be shared during this time. It simply implies that if you follow these steps your engagement should increase.

What are your secrets to increasing engagement on Facebook?

Making Facebook work for your business

Using Facebook is a great way to promote your business. There are currently over 800 million Facebook users, and 50% of them log into Facebook on any given day. For a business owner, being able to reach all of these potential customers is invaluable, especially when using a vehicle that is absolutely free. However, there is a science behind making your Facebook business page work for you, and I will share some tips with you.

1. Keep your personal profile private – If Facebook users can access your profile from your business page, make sure your risque vacation pictures from last year are not visible. Try to maintain a professional image on the social network – if Facebook users think they can’t trust you or you are not capable of getting the job done, they won’t solicit your services.

           2.  Don’t spam your users – Although the idea of pushing out your business’ information to Facebook users might be tempting, it is a VERY bad idea. If people find their inboxes flooded with messages from your company every day, they will not hesitate to delete your page from the ones they ‘like’. Also, it gives people a negative impression of your business – who wants to look like a desperate company? Spam is not only annoying – it can cause you to get kicked off of Facebook. Facebook is very strict when it comes to these things, so don’t lose your page and your profile forever.

      3. Create a visually appealing page – Design pages for your site that are more creative than the ones given by Facebook. Visit a site like Pagemodo.com and build pages that will impress visitors and make them want to share it with their friends.

      4. Make your page work for you – You can do myriad things with your Facebook page that help to build your business. Post links to your website, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blog. You can also create surveys to gather information on what your customers and potential customers want and need.

      5. Keep your page interesting – Everything on your page doesn’t have to be 100% business. Post quotes or (appropriate) jokes that visitors to your page want to share with friends. Put up coupons for products and services that people can only see if they like the page. Share useful articles that build your credibility.

Keep these tips in mind when you are building your company’s Facebook page, and in no time you will be bringing in clients you have never reached before! 

Non-Conventional Ways to Promote Your Business

Hello dreamers, thinkers, and achievers!!!

Daily, our world is becoming smaller, and this wonderful melting pot allows for numerous benefits, depending on your perspective. If you are one who sees the glass half full rather than half empty, then you will be amazed at what you can do through networking and the application of modern technology for your business.

Many times small businesses that are working on building their brand through providing products or services, find that the budget for marketing or public relations is minimal to non-existent. Trust me, I know the growing pains all too well. However, it is essential that if you are not able to afford the high end agency fees, you find a way to implement a marketing strategy that will create a buzz about your company...that is, if you truly want it to grow.

I'd like to share on some of the creative ways that you can simultaneously affect change and increase your brand awareness.

Recently I was in a local pageant where I learned so much about myself, communicating with others, staying organized, and how to raise sponsorship dollars!! It was an amazing learning experience that I would not trade for the world. While I placed 1st runner up, the opportunities I had to share love, life and God with others was invaluable, and guess what else made it worthwhile?

I was able to represent SageEden because it was my title sponsor. Sponsoring or entering a local or international pageant is a great way to promote your business and support your community.
With little effort, my company gained a household name as being one of the leading boutique marketing/pr training and event coordination organization through repetition of its name within the media (print, radio, television)

Each time the name Ms. SageEden was called to answer a question or receive an award on Pageant night,  a feeling of new beginnings and amazing opportunity came to mind. (and thousands who I probably would have never reached or come in contact with, became acquainted with us)
The more you expose yourself and your company to the global village we call our world, the more accountable you are to produce quality work, maintain a high standard of excellence and do amazing things!

While I wanted to share my personal experience of subtly but profoundly promoting my business through sponsoring a local pageant, this also serves as a reminder of other ways you can build your brand.

Consider the following: 

• Create a jingle or really cool commerical that you can circulate via all the social mediums.

• Wrap your vehicle in paraphernalia that would clearly outline what your business is about and the services you offer. (mobile marketing)

• Stage a photoshoot, then circulate the photos via email and social networks along with media houses. (include detailed captions and provide some info on your business as well)

• Sponsor community building events.

• Partner with other larger complimenting companies that host large annual events and volunteer your services.

Remember that starting up a flexible and afforable media campaign definitely calls for strategic thinking and sacrifice of time if not money. You can do it, just allow yourself time to get creative!
If you need additional innovative ways to get started with your customized media campaign, share your thoughts, or email us at sageeden@gmail.com.