No matter how many products or services you sell and offer, or how small or large your business is, no two customers are exactly the same.

I recently bought a new laptop. Before deciding which one was right for me, I read through a number of online reviews to ensure I was making an informed decision. Once I narrowed my search down to a couple of models, I visited the store to examine specs in person before committing.

Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a new blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of Black business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how they’ve grown or scaled their businesses, explored entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created side hustles, and how their stories can inspire and inform your own success.

You’ve launched your business and, with it, your website. Now you want to start driving more traffic to your site and build your brand salience.

Nowadays, Instagram is often someone’s initial contact with a brand, and nearly half of its users
shop on the platform each week. If it’s the entryway for half of your potential sales, don’t you want your profile to look clean and inviting?

As with most social media platforms, when Twitter first launched, it was an informal platform for people to connect with peers, thought leaders, and even celebrities. Now, it’s evolved into a powerful marketing tool that many brands rely on.

Whether you’re a UX designer, freelance writer, or photographer, an impressive online portfolio is critical for impressing potential clients, and landing future jobs.