blog, Business, Entrepreneurship Caitlin Shogren blog, Business, Entrepreneurship Caitlin Shogren

7 Graduation Gift ideas for college graduates starting a small business

If you want to start a small business after college, I suggest you start asking for some of your gifts for your business. Of course, you can pile the money you receive and push it towards your business as well. Still, sometimes it’s nice to receive a gift rather than money, despite how helpful money can be.

Here are 7 of my preferred graduation gift ideas when a recent college graduate starts a small business.

Read More
Business, blog Caitlin Shogren Business, blog Caitlin Shogren

CREATE: How to overcome your fears and shortcomings in your small business

Since so many people have been facing furloughs or lay-offs, I’ve also seen many people taking the plunge of opening their own business. Most people are looking to replace their income while others are hoping to cushion any fallout they might experience in the future.

While many job hunters are taking the leap, many are also nervous about delving into the new environment.

Read More
Business, blog, Graphic Design Caitlin Shogren Business, blog, Graphic Design Caitlin Shogren

CREATE: How to make a clear and cohesive digital presence for your small business

I’ve always been encouraged by professors to have a digital presence. When I was attending and starting my classes at the University of Missouri, I was constantly told about the importance of having a presence on various social media and web platforms. It wasn’t enough to have experience. My experience needed to be broadcasted and promoted well for my peers and supervisors to take notice.

Read More
blog, Business Caitlin Shogren blog, Business Caitlin Shogren

CREATE: How to move your ideal client through the marketing strategy customer ladder

I found out more about the Marketing Strategy Customer ladder while reading and completing CREATE An Intensive Biz Playbook & Planner: Scale Your Online Business, Create Explosive Growth and Build a Brand You Crave’s section on marketing strategy.

As a business owner, you will have to determine how you will reach out and market your company to each level of these customers.

Read More
Business, blog Caitlin Shogren Business, blog Caitlin Shogren

CREATE: Find your 'Zone of Genius' and use it to appeal to your target audience

So you’ve found your niche and target audience for your business start-up. Now, how do you use your target audience to flock to your products?

Of course, they’ll just know you have a great product for them and you’ll be an instant success.

Wrong.

By reading Meera Kothand’s section on finding your Zone of Genius, I was able to create a better-branded message that can appeal to my target audience.

Read More
blog, Business, Graphic Design Caitlin Shogren blog, Business, Graphic Design Caitlin Shogren

Best Graphic Design books for how to start your creative business start-up

I remember reading one of the graphic design books on this list, Creative Strategy and the Business of Design, and thinking I could start my graphic design business after reading this book.

I won’t lie and say it was smooth sailing from there but, I knew I would have a strategy for my design process and could start my graphic design business with more clarity than before.

Read More