Did you know?
As per an annual business survey, 18% of US businesses are minority-owned. Source: Census Bureau
Unfortunately, minority businesses struggle hard to establish themselves in the marketplace.
But what is the reason behind it? What are the factors that stop minority-owned businesses from growing?
They must work hard to get certified and access capital, opportunities, and even customers.
Therefore, handling and promoting these businesses should be done differently.
However, If you are a minority business owner and are unsure how to grow it, sit back and keep reading this post.
We have compiled several tips to promote and grow your minority-owned business.
Keep reading for inspiration and information!
Tip 1: Apply for business loans and grants
Manage your starting requirements with available minority business grants!
Growing and starting your business can be a pocket-bender!
Fortunately, the starting capital requirement can be managed efficiently by minority business loans and grants available.
However, each loan has different eligibility criteria depending on the annual revenue, profit, employee count, etc.
Therefore, the first thing that you need to do is to check the eligibility criteria by consulting with the bank or financial institution. If you fit the eligibility criteria, start with the process of application.
Always remember that even a small amount is crucial for your business.
Also Read: Documentation required for Diverse-Owned Business Certification
Tip 2: Observe influencers on the social media
Get your daily dose of practical tips and inspiring quotes from the influencers!
Social media is an excellent channel to promote your ideas and brand. from practical to inspiring quotes, everything is now available on social media platforms. All you have to do is to find influencers who support minority-owned businesses.
Choose influencers with successful minority stories. Irrespective of the industry you are working in and your goals, you should learn from the people who have been through all the challenges. Learn through their experiences as minorities and move towards the success you have been looking for.
Tip 3: Bring Diversity to Your Team
Diversification is the future!
All your team members can have unique backgrounds. Instead, you should focus on diversifying your team and choose dedicated and hard-working people. You can also select employees with different goals, values, inclusion, and ideologies.
Doing this will not only strengthen your community, but it will also strengthen your brand integrity.
Tip 4: Honor National Heritage Month
Let people know that you care about your ideas and mission!
People always connect with emotionally considerate companies. Whether it is about celebrating pride month in June or disability pride month in July, let people know that you care about their feelings.
Find the days and months that fit the identity of your business and also, incorporate those days into the seasonal marketing of your brand.
With that said, do not ignore other communities. Honor other groups to make the minority community strong as a whole.
Tip 5: Accept and flaunt your minority experience
A cliche and yet important tip!
Make sure you embrace the race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity you are from. Incorporate the same into your brand’s foundation to connect to more people.
There are many celebrities and influencers out there who are famous because of staying loyal and faithful to their roots.
People like them because they are themselves. However, you can still embrace your minority experience even if you are not a celebrity.
Tip 6: Get Certified
Increase your credibility and get certified as a minority business!
You get access to multiple advantages after getting an official certification. These advantages of a minority-owned business include better business partnership offers, client database access, networking events, management and training workshops, and more.
Suppose you wish to get certified as a minority-owned business. In that case, you can use any of these minority-owned business certification services to get a badge as a minority-owned business.:
- NMSDC certification: You can visit the national minority supplier development council website to apply for the certification. However, you must first verify and ensure you are eligible for this course. When you are sure you are eligible, collect all the required documents, fill up the online application form, submit the fee, and submit the form. Now you will have to wait until the authority approves the form.
- 58Joralemon: 58Joralemon is a certification service for minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses. Attract more customers for your diverse business by certifying your status with Cocolevio’s 58joralemon application.
- City/state certification: Some cities or states also help local minority-owned businesses establish or grow. They provide you with a certification as a minority-owned business. However, this only happens in some places. Therefore, check on the internet whether your state or city offers this certification. If they do, also check the eligibility for the same.
- Federal certification: Many business development programs like SBA’s program are there to help economically and socially disadvantaged people with their businesses. In the SBA program, participants have multiple benefits, including technical assistance, training, contractual help, and much more. If you own a minority business, it is an excellent way to get certified and trained simultaneously.
Pro-tip: You can use 58Joralemon to simplify your certification process. Everything can be quickly done, from collecting information to analyzing and submitting documents on this platform.
Tip 7: Indulge in other languages
Connect with people in every language possible!
Linguistic diversity is one of the underrated techniques to grow your business. Everybody knows that most people speak English in the US, but with the increased globalization, don’t be surprised if you find linguistic diversity everywhere.
For instance, if you own a Latin-X business, do not restrict your functions only to Latin people. Instead, you should introduce Spanish, German, or English translation facilities on your social media accounts or websites.
Not only will this help you expand the audience, but it will also benefit the audience. They will be able to explore, access, and discover your brand.
Moreover, ensure you leave every stone unturned while marketing and achieve your end goal.
Also Read: Benefits of Minority-Owned Business Certification
Tip 8: Use labels and tags owned by minority
Leave an imprint on your audience’s mind with your minority-owned labels!
Multiple platforms have their way of helping you determine a minority-owned business. Some use tags, and some may use labels.
You must also choose an appropriate minority-owned tag and help people to determine and support your minority business.
Whether you are listing a business or a product on the search engine, check if any minority-owned label is available.
Conclusion
Win the world with the capabilities of your business! A minority-owned business is a title to hold onto, and one must always be proud of it. Though there are challenges, there is a tremendous amount of support.
Running a minority-owned business is a challenging task in any country. However, the process can be simplified with the right management and promotion.
To retain your audience and stay longer in the market, ensure to get your diverse-owned business certified and connect with your customers.
