Founder Makes 6-figures Helping Women
Grow Their Visibility on LinkedIn
Jerrilynn B. Thomas
Linkedin Marketing
Services
USA
6-Figures
Making 6-figures Helping Women Grow Their Visibility on LinkedIn
Jerrilynn B. Thomas
LinkedIn Marketing
Services
6-Figures
USA
Hi Jerrilynn, tell us about who you are and how you started your business?
In the mid-’90s in my late 20s, during a time when the internet was a fledgling network of bulletin boards and listservs, I embarked on a journey that would forever shape my life and career.
I invested $10 in supplies and used a friend’s WebTV to access the Internet. My initial motivation was to connect with like-minded women from across the globe while seeking opportunities to supplement my family’s income. This venture into the digital realm was a godsend, especially for someone who considered herself extremely introverted.
In the mid-’90s in my late 20s, during a time when the internet was a fledgling network of bulletin boards and listservs, I embarked on a journey that would forever shape my life and career. I invested $10 in supplies and used a friend’s WebTV to access the Internet. My initial motivation was to connect with like-minded women from across the globe while seeking opportunities to supplement my family’s income. This venture into the digital realm was a godsend, especially for someone who considered herself extremely introverted.
What Do You Sell?
LinkedIn Co-Marketing Campaign Development for B2B Women
What Is Your Website?
How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I didn’t have any prior business experience, but during my college years, my favorite class was marketing, particularly the thrilling section on public relations. I channeled my interest in public relations into the launch of my business journey.
It all began with the creation of a simple yet ambitious newsletter called “Savvy Female Entrepreneur.” As I navigated the burgeoning digital landscape, I became increasingly immersed in the knowledge shared by the wonderful women I encountered. My journey evolved, leading to the establishment of the “Women’s News Bureau,” a testament to my insatiable curiosity and commitment to the world of women in business.
This venture further transformed into the “Business Diva Network,” a women’s networking site designed to adapt to the ever-changing internet landscape. From there, it evolved into the “International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce,” showcasing my visionary leadership and dedication to empowering women in the business world. Yet, my true calling emerged with “Women Partner.” Recognizing the tremendous potential in women coming together for collaborative marketing ventures rather than simply selling to each other, “Women Partner” became the platform for inspiring and nurturing women to explore creative cross-marketing opportunities tailored to their unique businesses. But I didn’t stop there.
I saw an opportunity to make a more resounding statement—one that would inspire women to collaborate and thrive. Thus, “Smart Women Partner & Grow Rich” was born. More than just a name, it encapsulated a philosophy that had been brewing within me for years. I realized the power of forging collaborative marketing partnerships, especially within the realm of LinkedIn.
Over the years, the names of my websites and ventures may have changed, but my unwavering focus remained constant—working with collaborative-spirited women. With 19 years of dedicated experience on LinkedIn, I’ve honed my skills to perfection. My mission is clear: to assist women in crafting co-marketing campaigns around their business projects, whether it’s a conference, retreat, course, podcast, or book. I empower women to build large, engaged female audiences using LinkedIn, serving as a springboard for achieving their business goals, from selling out events to catapulting book and e-course sales.
Additionally, they fill coaching and consulting hours and expand their membership bases by establishing co-marketing partnerships with like-minded businesswomen in their LinkedIn Rolodex.
My preferred social media platform is LinkedIn, where I thrive in my mission to inspire, educate, and propel women toward collaborative success. With unwavering dedication and a profound commitment to women in business, I am leading the charge into a world where smart women partner and, in doing so, grow rich not only in prosperity but in connections, knowledge, and empowerment.
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Were there any driving forces behind your motivation to start your business?
The entrepreneurial bug bit me in high school. I avidly read books and magazines about entrepreneurship, spending countless hours in the library immersing myself in literature.
The idea of working for someone else never appealed to me. I plunged into the world of entrepreneurship with both feet, and I haven’t looked back since. As an introvert, it’s been a journey of self-discovery to find the right balance between my introverted nature and the demands of entrepreneurship.
Talk us through the process of building your product/service?
Since day one of being online, I’ve carefully studied what other women were doing, riding the waves of changes in the online business world and the economy to chart my course.
I recognized the necessity to evolve or risk obsolescence. Regardless of the circumstances, women consistently need assistance in drawing attention to their business ventures and finding ways to stand out in a sea of similar enterprises. Observing the marketing activities of my target audience has been enlightening. Through experience, I’ve learned that women appreciate individuals engaged in exciting endeavors.
That’s why I infuse the large-scale collaborative marketing projects I create, both for my own business and for clients, with creativity and outside-the-box elements. I actively participate in seminars and workshops to stay abreast of marketing trends. While I may not be a marketing expert, I possess an eye for collaboration. I see collaboration in everything, from the artistry of combining diverse ingredients in cooking to the fusion of colors producing something new, to the synergy of two or more experts creating compelling content or hosting events that outshine the competition.
My approach to attracting and retaining customers centers on personal attention. I shine a spotlight on women even before considering them for business collaboration by adding them to one of my signature business lists. I invite women to engage in casual conversations via LinkedIn Audio Events to foster mutual understanding, include them in my newsletter, and create examples showcasing how other women can collaborate with them.
I firmly believe in giving before asking, and I actively engage with my female connections to ensure a memorable and collaborative interaction.
Discuss your marketing strategy..
I’ve been on LinkedIn for 19 years, and it has become my primary source for female clients. I depend largely on organic traffic.
Initially, I acquired clients by hosting networking events through listservs and other platforms like Ryze, predating the emergence of social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
These events provided my audience with a platform to discuss their businesses in a non-salesy manner.
This approach resulted in women signing up for my women’s business group/newsletter, enabling me to feature and distribute content about their businesses to a broader online audience.
Revenue & Financials
6-Figures
Is this a side-hustle or full time business?
Full-Time
Talk to us about any challenges you faced along the process?
I learned that in business, it’s crucial to acquire skills like building your website, managing WordPress, setting up a funnel, and handling your social media before considering outsourcing. This approach ensures the protection of your business from potential piracy.
I wish I had embraced my introverted nature earlier. Despite concealing it well, the challenges were profound. Introverts often find themselves overstimulated in crowded situations or prolonged collaboration. There were times when it took almost a month to recover from projects, and I could go weeks without engaging in marketing and networking.
Above all, I regret not recognizing my introversion earlier; it took the internet and conversations with other women in my 30’s to shed light on something that had always made me feel different.
Experiencing burnout in the mid-2000s was a significant setback, taking over a year to recover. The joy of collaborative marketing, the excitement of connecting with new clients, and witnessing the enthusiasm of women learning collaborative strategies on LinkedIn keep me motivated and excited for each new internet adventure.
Profit Margins?
60-70%
Favourite books, resources, tools?
“101 Ways to Market Your Business” and “The E-Myth” were pivotal resources in shaping my entrepreneurial journey.
How many hours do you work per week on your business?
40 hours a week.
What is the biggest challenge you are facing at the moment in your business?
Learning High Level is my biggest challenge. I know that I need to set up my CRM and learn how to use the features so I can take my business to the next level. I am looking for a crash course that doesn’t make my eyes glaze over.
Any advice for entrepreneurs who want to start a business?
Find your tribe.
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely and stressful journey, but on LinkedIn, you’ll discover a wealth of women who can inspire and support your business. Cultivate a tribe of co-marketing partners, cross-marketing allies, and promotional supporters.
Co-marketing partners are those women who engage with your clients before, during, and after transactions. Cross-marketing allies offer visibility on diverse platforms such as magazines, podcasts, conferences, and books. Meanwhile, promotional supporters act as your cheerleaders, sharing your posts and endorsing you to their connections.
Your tribe resides in your social networking Rolodex on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and beyond. They followed you for a reason — either they’re interested in hiring you soon or have clients who could benefit from your products and services.
Reach out to them with a mutually beneficial collaboration offer through direct messages. Invitations to collaborate are more exciting than sales pitches. Why acquire one client at a time when collaboration can bring in ten more through your connections?
Are you hiring at the moment?
No
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