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Black Barbie - Progression or Regression

Posted by Yolanda Webb on August 26, 2009 at 11:46pm

Last year, Italian Vogue shook the fashion world with its “All Black issue, which sold out on many newsstands. This year, the July issue features Kristen McMenamy on the cover, but comes with a delightful supplement devoted to black Barbies.Well, it is Barbie’s 50th birthday (Barbie and I are excatly the same age...but I'm not sure they would put me on the cover of any Vogue!) and Mattel does have those new black Barbies to promote. And while this supplement is not full-sized like a regular magazine (it’s about 6 inches wide; 7.5 inches long) somehow the doll scale makes sense.I remember when I was about six years old my sister and I both got Black Chatty Cathy dolls for Christmas. Now remember, this was about forty years ago and my sister and I were totally taken aback by our fortune (or misfortune as I remember I wanted to instantly remake her face with my Barbie makeup kit I also got for Christmas).While it was great to have a doll that looked like me (Chatty Cathy was quite plump), the reality was that it was the only doll I ever had that looked like a real sister. When my daughter was born twenty five years ago I remember one Christmas going in every toy store to find a Black Barbie for her (we ended up starting a collectors to die-for collection which she still has today for her daughter). But that Barbie was based on a very European idea of what women (not even close to most Black Women) should look like.Barbie black or white gives little girls dangerous ideas about what a woman’s body should look like, and what was/is considered beautiful. Before writing this post, I asked my daughter about her Barbies when she was little. Her response shocked me. As tall and thin and chocolate as my daughter is she simply said..."mom did you realize that I never even played with those dolls. No she wasn't a tomboy..she said, "they simply didn't look like her or any of her friends,"I was amazed. Here I am concerned about what it taught my little girl about having a positive self-image and she was taking her cues not from Barbie but...you guessed it...from ME. She said her play dress up and how she wanted to look was not as a result of those Barbies but of watching me get up every morning, dress, fix my hair and handle my business as a single working motherr.As a result, she makes it her responsibility to teach her daughter about how special and beautiful she is as a black girl. She will become the role model for her own daughter...who will want to dress, walk, talk and be like Mommy!So, no I don't agree with Mattel or Vogue about the images and messages they send to our girls, but there is no substitute for showing our girls the "REAL" us by modeling YOUR positive, self-affirming, beautiful self before your daughter every morning and telling her "SHE" is Beautiful because she looks like Mommy and that more than anything she is and always will be... "More Than Enough"

Make Your Life Over - Tell A New Story!

Posted by Yolanda Webb on August 26, 2009 at 11:47pm

When we see women like Coretta Scott King and Michelle Obama what do we really 'hear'. Well for one..we hear their stories. Most often in their own words. But we never hear the drama, the pain, the victim (and believe me both of these ladies had/have enough to bemoan). Coretta lost her husband and was left as a single mother. Michelle has to hear stories and worries about her husband as the first African American President.But how do they rise above that victim status and have successful, peace filled lives? I believe its because they live a different story. Not different (based on money, status or income) but different in how they choose to tell their own story.We all tell our stories everyday. We all do it! We do it to anyone who will listen (family, friends, children). What is it? IT of course is our story. Our.."Lord, I just don't know what I'm going to do!" story. We tell people 'our' story.But first we tell ourselves 'our' story. We tell ourselves to remind us that we have been once again made a victim. We tell others to hear agreement or comforting words about 'our' lot in life. Often we do it because there is so much going on in our lives (especially black women) that we are in a constant fight or flight mode and the unrelenting onslaught of tense situations have convinced us that there is 'no way out'.Many sisters are dealing with more than one issue at a time. We are the ongoing 'victims' of our own story. "But"...I can hear you saying that But right now..."You don't know my situation".Yes I do. Because its life's situation. The first step to taking back your life is to recognize that in telling your 'story' to anyone who will listen, you are keeping that 'victim story' going. On and on it keeps going.Ask yourself one question. "Do I really want a better life?" Do I want to take back my life and live out a different story? Now fully understand that this is not about having more of anything. More money does not solve one problem. Let's look at it honestly...Michael had all the money any one person could have but he lived a victim story. He kept telling of all the things that ever happened to him as to the reasons he was who he was. Victim.If you answered yes to the question and you really want to take back your life...take back your story. Take back the thoughts and words you use to perpetuate your victim story.But one thing before we move forward....this is NOT a one-time shot, it took you more than one shot to get this victim story...so let's make the second half of your storybook have a different ending. So put these simple ideas to work every day and see yourself move from poverty to purpose and from victim to victor:1. Breathe. The world will not fall apart nor will it crumble if...He dosen't call...the lights got cut off...the rent is due...or any of a number of bad things happen. Look around and you will see all these things happen to other people and people keep on living. Everyday. Honestly it may not look like it but they are facing the same challenges as you.2. Stay in the Present Moment...stop "what if' ing' yourself and everyone around you..."what if they,"...When you really think about it more often than not, the 'what if', never comes. When you are in the present moment of life the solution you need comes quickly to solve any problem.3. Practice Your Faith - The most stressed filled women I know and those with the most 'victim' stories to tell....are Church women. Faith IS the substance of that which is hoped for...the evidence of that not seen. Know that you know everything will be alright...and guess what, it will be and you won't have a victim story to tell.4. Talk to someone who won't let you be a victim. This is not the time to talk to other STORY VICTIMS who will commiserate. I tried that with my mother once (who by the way has never been anyone's victim) and her response to me was..."Well you have two choices - you can figure it out and keep on living, or we can bury you in a box), harsh maybe, healing - You Betcha!!!5. If Someone Hurt You...Let it go! Yes easier said than done..but if you think about it, they have moved on with their life and you, well you're the victim and are wallowing in it. When you think about it they have taken YOUR power and they will have many more peace filled days added to their life. While you are shortening your's with your 'story'.6. Trust the one person in the world who can begin to tell a new story. YOU. Get up in the morning with a new story...today is a great day and I am going to do (fix whatever the situation is even if you don't have all the answers right now).Look at yourself anew everyday and watch what begins to happen in your life. You can take back your life no matter what life has thrown at you. You have to. Guess why. It's the only one you will ever have. There are no do overs.The word E'LON means strength. Get up and put on your E'LON. Change your story and change your life.Remember..."We are more than enough!"Yolanda

The Souls of Black Girls

Posted by Yolanda Webb on August 26, 2009 at 11:48pm

How long do we let other people define us? How long do we delete the blogs, throw out the newsletter or articles, or change the channel when the message is about us?How long do we keep trying to conform to the world's standard of beauty...while at the same time damaging our girls that can't fit into that standard and then turning around and criticizing or victimizing them when they act out, are promiscuous or do all kinds of things to their God-given beauty and end up pregnant, in jail or on welfare.Where are we (Black Women of the burbs and Middle Class) when we shake our heads sitting on pews in church while wearing our weaves and designer clothes.Now don't misunderstand I am not hating on my middle class sisters ( for I am one of them and write this blog to myself just as much as to anyone), what I am saying is simple..when do we show up? At what expense (the cost of future generations of confident black women from all walks of life is at stake) are we willing to let the statistics continue to speak for the fact that we are comfortable sitting back and doing nothing.Where did our souls go? Where did the souls of Mama and Big Mama go? We looked out for and told them they were beautiful, worthy, talented and expected to succeed in who they were...not in trying to be or become the media images they see on tv.Filmmaker Daphne Valerius takes a look at the relationship between self-esteem and media images of African American Women in her documentary...The Souls of Black Girls, "I think this piece resonates across race and gender because it is a piece that is the voice of the victim and not the voice of the victimizer of spokeman, its our hurts, our pains, our insecurities, our story that no one else can tell but us, " she says.http://www.soulsofblackgirls.com/Dr. Dorothy Height says of the film, "Too often our girls do not rise too their full potential because they are so affected by the image others project of them."According to a new study on the lives of teenage Black girls,... they benefit most from a strong sense of racial identity. Girls who thought being black (in all its blackness, hair, eye color, lips, hips, etc) did better in shcool and were more likely to practice safer sex.The study commissioned by The Black women for Black Girls Giving Circle in NYC and researched and written by Dr. Avis A. Jones-DeWeever found striking differences between girls who self-identified as afrocentric and girls who didn't. Afrocentric girls received higher grades, had strong familia, spiritual and romantic relationships and were three times more likely to believe that they would achieve goals such as college or careers.Take the time today help mentor, motivate or save the Soul of a Black Girl. E'LON and YOU redefining our own image. We Are More Than Enough!Yolanda

Remembering Courage

Posted by Yolanda Webb on August 26, 2009 at 11:49pm

I remember the first time I went into a meeting with the President/CEO of a major department store chain (Macy's) - where my cosmetics line was soon to be launched.I sat in my car outside the building with tears streaming down my face, a letter (tattered and yellowed) clutched in my right hand. It was a chilly March day - we had successfully completed two trials for Macy's in February and March and we would soon be going 'live' at counters in their Midwest Region.The letter was from my dad...the only letter he had ever written me (some twenty years earlier). I read it before going into the meeting. In it he reminded me of how smart, pretty, funny and kind I was. He told me in that letter how proud of me he was (I was a new mom at the time in a country - Tokyo, Japan - where I couldn't speak the language) trying to carve out a career and a life for myself.As I sat in the car that day I thought about the many women and men for that matter that I knew who had overcome tremendous obstacles in their lives. I thought about my parents and how they had left a little town in Alabama to move their family to the North for a better life. I thought about what their lives looked like and the challenges they had faced to get me where I was (about to go into a meeting with the President/CEO of one of our countries largest retailers) and I thought about the courage they had to overcome those obstacles.I owed them alot! I was the first person in my family to ever own a business (my dad was a high school principal and my mom a social worker).As I sat there in my car I remembered driving home the week before that big meeting to tell my folks about the big meeting and the contract with Macy's. My dad was living in a nursing home then..he had been stricken by throat cancer a few years earlier and also had one of his legs amputated due to diabetes. But he was still sharp as ever even though facing a number of challenges.I took pictures to him to see and the all important letter from Macy's stating they wanted me to join the Macy's family to test the brands potential. I knew he would be proud. He listened as I sat and animately told him about my 'business'...As I begin to pack up for the four hour drive back to Cincinnati he gave me a thumbs up that day (he had no voice to speak with) and then wrote on a torn piece of paper from his bed side table - "I knew you could do anything Loni - keep going you have God, me and all the courage you will ever need!"My dad died one month after i launched in Macy's. His voice silent, I would never hear it again.As I sat in the car that day, in my left hand I held the torn piece of paper with his words on them. He encourage me to do and be my best self. As I got out of the car I looked up and smiled because I knew he was there and I realized then as I do today that it was and is people like my dad who give us - their daughters- the courage to excel, to recognize our strengths and to see our own beauty.I encourage you today to be strong and hold onto your faith. Spirit is always with us and so is the encouragement of our ancestors. Live in the now, the present moment of life. For that is where God is. Rainbows follow rain, light follows dark, oceans follow deserts and resurrection follows the wilderness.E'LON means strength. You have the strength and courage to follow your dreams. Remember, "We Are More Than Enough."

The Beauty of Strength

Posted by Yolanda Webb on August 26, 2009 at 11:51pm

Economic indicators, economic bailouts, economic bad news. Everyday we get up now we hear more stories of how bad the economy is and how bad people are suffering - and they are. When I got up yesterday I heard from an old friend. Someone I had not spoken with in at least two years. Back in the day this sister had it going on...House in the suburbs and a summer home on Martha's Vineyard.She was living the American dream. But two years ago she woke up to the American Nightmare. Her husband of nearly twenty-five years passed away suddenly and she was left to carry on. What she found out about living the 'high life' and the 'buy now, pay later' life was that both homes were mortgaged to the hilt and her husband had amassed a fortune in debt - while they tried to keep up with the "Jones" or should I say the, "Browns, the Washington's" and the rest of the elite social circles they belonged to.She called to tell me she said, "because you are the only one I know who won't judge me." My friend had filed bankruptcy and moved into a tiny one bedroom apartment in Chicago. And after nearly a decade of not working - she had to take the one talent she knew she had an get a J.O.B in an upscale boutique in Chicago.I didn't judge her - she was right about that- but I did ask her a question. A question I told her not so much for me...but for her to answer for herself. "Why?" I asked, did it matter for ten years how others saw her, and why did she try so hard to keep up with others?" And did that define her and give her a sense of identity?She was silent for a while on the other end of the phone. Then she spoke. "Girl I thought it gave me strength and power," she said almost in a whisper.We said our goodbyes and our "I love you's and promised to keep in touch and not let another two years go by before we talked again.I thought about my friend today. She will bounce back... we always do. And she has a strong support network of true friends and family. She's a beautiful black sister so in no time she will be remarried, probably to another powerful brother - because those are they type of men attracted to her.But, I wondered if she would remember her own words..."I thought it gave me strength and power."Why do we as black women look at our strength and power as something external to who we are? Are you not powerful if you don't have on a Dolce & Gabbana or Prada outfit? Are you not strong and powerful if you don't have a man with a six figure income?STOP! Get off that insane merry-go-round. If my friend rides that train again - well let's just say it becomes the definition of insantiy.Life (God) has a way of equalizing itself to show us that we are not the one's in control. That we go through in order to learn our lessons - and when we don't. Well you know the rest. We are stripped bare, left barren so that we finally hear that voice within.Next time you find yourself in one of those places like my friend (now it dosen't have to be bankruptcy, it can be anything that puts you in a place where you are crying out, "LORD what am I gonna do!?"), stop and look in a mirror. I mean it...in that moment pull a mirror from your purse, go to the bathroom, pull down the sun visor in your car, or look in that mirror on the building you're walking next to), and say out loud, "I am strong, courageous, powerful and purposeful. I came here to fill a mission and I can and I will succeed."You will feel the tension leave your shoulders and the tightness leave your chest (but you really have to be looking in a mirror when you do this - look at yourself and don't look away).Now as you breathe look around and see that it wasn't anyone from any designer house, any social organization, zipcode, or address that made you strong and powerful and able to do what you need to do.It was you...the girl in the mirror.Choose today! Are you powerful or pitiful? Remember, "We Are More Than Enough."E'LON (strength) and You...making you all you can be.

Natural Remedies for Acne and Facial Blemishes

Posted by Christine on March 5, 2010 at 11:38pm

Many individuals have suffered from acne at one time or another in their lives. It may lessen or worsen with the seasons, diet or with hormonal changes in the body. While it is not a
life-threatening condition, many who deal with acne may feel a loss of self-esteem, especially if the acne is severe or leaves behind scarring. The acne may also be painfully inflamed or sore.

Certainly, the shelves are full of medications especially formulated for the elimination of acne, but these medications may cause dry, flaky skin and may also aggravate the condition. Therefore, natural cures for acne may be the first line of defense because they can be less harsh on the
skin.

Mix equal parts of fresh lime juice and milk and use a cloth or cotton ball to apply the resulting mixture to the inflamed areas. Let sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse clean.

Yogurt and oatmeal make a wonderful acne healing mask for the face. The yogurt’s lactic acid content can serve to soothe the skin, reducing inflammation and cleansing pores. Oatmeal can
soothe irritation and reduce inflammation also. Mix plain yogurt with enough finely ground oatmeal to make a paste. Apply the mask to a clean, dry face and let sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse gently with warm water and pat dry. If necessary, apply a light oil such as olive or sunflower oil to moisturize your face.

Ripe tomatoes are a natural astringent for the face and are great for oily skin. Simply cut a ripe tomato in half and apply to the acne areas. Leave the juice for about 20 minutes, then rinse
clean. You may also use tomato paste for easier application.

Please remember to do a skin patch test before applying any of these recipes to your skin and/or face.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose
or cure any condition. Consult with your doctor or medical professional
before undertaking any type of treatment.

Promote Your Products With Sumatra's Blog Talk Radio Host's Birthday Celebration....

Posted by Loretta Green-Williams on March 5, 2010 at 7:00pm

We're looking for quality sister-owned products for the Sumatra Napa Valley "Color of Wine Tour" March 4 and 5, 2010. We will be leaving the Bay Area (CA) Friday morning and the show to air at 3:00 pm PST...We will be staying at the African American bed and breakfast, Old Wine Inn and then on Saturday, tour the Association of African American Vinters wineries...Your products will be on display the entire week-end with you as a Virtual Vendor...Just provide a sample of items you'd like to be on display, with order information...Vendor fee is just $75.00 and you will be considered a sponsor for the Sumatra's Birthday Celebration on March 5, 2010 with media blasts during the show and throughout the week-end.For more information, email Sumatra.blogtalkradio@gmail.com

Can you create a book trailer?

Posted by Dominique on March 5, 2010 at 4:33am

I'm looking for someone that knows how to create a book trailer. I am the owner of From A Writer's POV Online Magazine and I'm looking for someone that has the expertise in creating book trailers.

Please respond to this blog or leave a referral if you are interested.

Thank you!

Dominique

5 Tips for Getting Readers Viewing Your Old Blog Posts

Posted by LaShanda Henry on March 5, 2010 at 6:40pm

Everybody is going green, do your part by recycling your blog posts. On a serious note, I recently read this great post on problogger entitled, 5 Tips for Getting Readers Viewing Your Old Blog Posts. As bloggers, we all too often feel pressured to create quality content every single day, when we don't have to. Think about it, how many of your new viewers read that great post you wrote last year? How many people read it the day you posted it? Recycling your posts is a great way to remain consistent and share your best posts with a new audience. Darren added 5 great tips in that problogger post, so I thought I should add a few of my own. Here are a few things that I do to get readers viewing my old blog posts:

I repost my best blog posts in my blogs on favorite social networks, like my network, Black Business Women Online.
When I feel like tweeting @sistasense, but I don't know what to say, I retweet one of my blog posts.
I love love love that facebook allows you to import an RSS feed into your NOTES. I import my blogs RSS Feed, which also gets me more views and more facebook fans!
I always include links and excerpts to blog posts in my newsletters. I recommend iContact if you are looking for a quality, low cost email marketing service.
When I have the time, I do little mini-youtube videos on various topics and tell viewers to visit my website to read more or get more details. Here is a link to my youtube channel: lhenry

Last Tip: Making sure your blog is SEO friendly also helps search engine users find your best posts too! With these few tweeks you can guarantee that your blog is working for you even when you are not! One More Tip: I almost forget this one... when I have a good week chuck FULL of posts, I like to do a Week End Review or Best of SistaSense this month, to give both old and new readers a chance to catch up on all the good stuff! There are so many things you can do to get more people reading your old blog posts. Be creative and if you have great tips, leave them in a comment below. For more blogging tips from me, remember to watch my complete blogging for beginners series and signup for my money and marketing tips on BBWO. I almost forget to ask: have you seen my new starter kit?

The Search Urban Directory: Promoting Black Websites Online

Posted by LaShanda Henry on March 5, 2010 at 12:00pm

The Search Urban Directory, is a premier Black Online Directory featured on Multiple Shades of You Online (www.msoyonline.com). Search Urban is actually one of my first black business ventures online, its been around since about 2001 and is actually one of the few long standing, Black Search Engines online. Black Business owners, bloggers, and website owners with content relevant to African Americans online are welcome to submit their websites.

I also have an additional promo opportunity going on right now. I am currently looking for black business owners to post their website info, products, business updates, marketing tips, & relevant business news on Black Business Women Online. This is free promotion. Black Business Women Online has almost 8,000 members and all featured posts will be retweeted on @blackbizwomen. Click here for more details.

How to create a media list on a small budget

Posted by Ashia R. Sims on November 17, 2008 at 4:17pm

IntroductionMedia lists are an invaluable tool when promoting yourself or your business. It helps to have a database of the different media outlets that relate to your industry of choice. Creating a media list can be a tedious process but when done correctly can be useful for years to come. Once it is created, it will only need updating which is much less work.Step 1Start with publications that you know. You should be aware of the different publications that target your industry. Make a list of those publications.Step 2Go to the public library. Many of the larger public libraries have current media directories in their reference section. Set aside a few hours to go through the directories and write down all of the publications that will fit your media list. Use the ones on the list you initially made as a reference point. Make a note of deadlines for each publication. Look for websites and employee lists to help you make your list as specific as possibleStep 3Verify the media list that you’ve created. Contact each of the publications on the media list to get the correct name and email address for the reporter you should contact. You want to find out who covers the beat the most closely relates to your specific needs.Step 4Keep your list updated. Now that you’ve created a list, make sure to keep it updated and current. A current media list will be helpful when you need to incorporate the media into your marketing and public relations plans.www.cluelessfashionista.comFashion clues for the everyday fashionista

How to make a positive online image on Facebook

Posted by Jamie Fleming-Dixon on March 4, 2010 at 10:30pm

As you all probably know, I’m one of millions of people with a Facebook. (It’s probably one of the sites I frequent most). And being a professional, I want to be sure my profile on there says, well, professionalism.

Maybe you haven’t thought about it much, but what you put on Facebook and other social networking sites affects how people, especially professionals and potential clients and customers, see you. So, in my opinion anyway, your online profiles should portray you in a good light. Here are some ways to help you can create and/or reinvent your online rep:

Use a tasteful profile picture. It’s probably the first thing people see when clicking on your Facebook page, so be sure you are actually in the photo (unless, of course, it’s Doppleganger week or something). Secondly, make sure the picture is tasteful: You on vacation in your swimsuit? Okay. You in your bedroom with sexy lingerie on? Not so much- save that for your significant other or something. And finally, be sure the picture is big enough so people will actually recognize you.

More on photos. Watch which ones you post and the ones others tag you in. You shouldn’t have photos of you passed out drunk or of you and that guy making out at a party. One way to decide if your pics are appropriate: Ask yourself if you’d want your grandmother to see it. If not, take it down or untag yourself if it’s not yours.

Check out the other tips here.

Please feel free to share any tips you have below, and happy networking!

Small Biz Hump Day Promo: 1000 Business Cards Design & Printing - Free - A Value of $65

Posted by SensualGeekNY on March 4, 2010 at 4:30am

PresGuru Print's Small Biz Hump Day Promotion

Small Biz Hump Day Promotion - March 10, 2010
1000 Business Card Design and Printing Package: FREE - A $65 Value

• 2-3 custom business card designs with 2 variations for you to choose from
• See Design Example 1 • See Design Example 2
• 1000 standard business cards printed on 14pt or 16 pt stock
• Full color, double-sided printing with UV high-gloss or AQ semi-gloss

The Fine Print
• UPS ground shipping fee of $10 is not included
• In lieu of shipping, print-ready file will be provided for $10
• Business card design does not include logo design

To enter the giveaway/promotion, leave a comment at our site and include your business industry in addition to why it's important for small business to help one another. All comments for this giveaway/promotion be accepted until March 9, 2010 and the winner will be announced on March 10, 2010.

Article-Writing: A Great Way to Promote Your Business

Posted by Zhana on March 4, 2010 at 1:30pm

Writing and publishing articles online is a highly effective way to promote your business.

I am in the top 3% of members of article site Squidoo.

I havetried quite a few article sites. Squidoo is one of my favourite sites
on the internet. It is free to join and has a 50% profit-sharing
scheme.

To join Squidoo, just post an article here.

I think you will enjoy these articles:

Make Money through Writing Articles

The Best Content for Your Ebook

Here's to your success!

AAMBC Magazine of the Year

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on March 4, 2010 at 1:55am

Greetings Everyone,

Please vote for ALIVE Magazine as Magazine of the Year by sending an email to aambcvoting@gmail.com. We thank you for your support!

Thank you!

ALIVE Magazine

Empower. Inspire. Connect.

www.alivemagonline.com

Successful Online Marketing: It Really IS All About You

Posted by Evelyn on March 3, 2010 at 9:30pm

An important key to successful online marketing is to keep in mind that, despite what your mother always told you, it really is all about you.In order to rise above the sheer volume, and the noise of the marketplace, youmust find an effective way to communicate to the world–or at least to yourtarget market–what valuable solution you provide.

But in order for the world or your market to get how valuable and just plain awesome you are, you’ve got to believe it yourself.You’ve heard it said countless times that everything is energy. You radiate energythat vibrates at a particular level. If you are confident, secure and full of joy you are radiating at a higher level, and as that famousLaw of Attraction states, you will attract others to you who are vibrating at acompatible level.

Everything you do, and everything you create and put out into the world is totally infused with your energy. Therefore, your clients and customers areeither drawn to your energy or they are not drawn to it. This is important tokeep in mind when you are doing Internet marketing online because if you arenot getting the results you desire, you might take a step back and look at your energy and your vibration.

Are you up and eager and excited, or are you feeling down, desperate and frustrated? You can have the most beautiful, visually appealing website withfabulous copy, but if you are not coming from a place of being confident inyour value, your contribution and your unique gifts that energy will keep yourideal clients away.

Remember that you are the sparkle that draws traffic, customers and clients to you. What are you doing to make your visitors enjoy their visit to yourwebsite or blog? How are you making it fun for your customers and clients to dobusiness with you?

Successful online marketing begins and ends with you. Be radiant. Be passionate, heck, be freaking awesome and take the necessary, consistent, boldaction steps and watch your website begin to sizzle.

Platinum Inspiration Board from Soulful Engagements

Posted by Stephanie on March 3, 2010 at 10:30pm

Check out the newest addition to our inspiration board gallery. It's elegant, modern and perfect for a formal spring or summer wedding.

Subscribe to Soulful Engagements by Email

Wishing BBWO Members a Productive Week!

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on July 19, 2009 at 11:11pm

Greetings to all friends,ALIVE Magazine would like to thank all of our friends for connecting. We wish you a very productive week. If we are able to contribute to your success, email us at coach@aliveincorporated.com. To ensure we are connected, we invite you to connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.We are in the process of scheduling several virtual sessions during the month of August. We are also in the planning stages of a nationwide tour. We are seeking panelists in various cities across the nation. If you are an expert in one of the following areas and interested in participating as a panelist, please email your bio to coach@aliveincorporated.com.1. Financial Services2. Insurance Services3. Law4. Image Consultant, Designer and Personal Buyer5. Health & Diet6. Accountingwww.twitter.com/alivemagwww.facebook.com/alivemagazineALIVE Magazine TeamEmpower. Inspire. Connect.www.alivemagonline.comThe Savane Groupwww.thesavanegroup.comAlive Inc.seed. plant. grow.www.aliveincorporated.com

Lets Start a Franchise

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on May 14, 2009 at 10:30pm

By James CooperPut yourself in a situation where you have decided to start up your own carpet cleaning business. The next step is to ask yourself an important question - Should I go with a franchise or remain independent? This decision should be made with great care after exploring all the factors involved as it is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make in terms of your career. In this article you will pick up some tips that will help you to make up your mind.Although franchises have some great opportunities attached to them and also many advantages they can also have limitations and disadvantages like anything can. It is because of these drawbacks that franchises are not suitable for everyone. One drawback of franchises is the cost. You will have to pay franchise fees for the whole time your business is up and running and this could cost you a lot if you are not making much of a profit from your business. You will also need to buy all the cleaning products and other equipment that you will need, however quite often you will be required to buy them from the franchiser at premium prices. If you were to do all of this and then drop out of the franchise you would need to start over from scratch as the customers that you would have obtained over your time with the franchise would belong to them and you would not be allowed to take any of them with you.Your idea of franchises is most likely to be very negative right now but there are also some advantages to them. Firstly, you have a significantly higher success rate when you choose a franchise as they have already learned how to run the business and market products and services. All you would have to do is follow their business model and you are pretty much guaranteed success in your career. If the franchise is widely recognised this could also help you a great deal. If you want to enter the water damage restoration area name recognition is also very important if you want to become a preferred vendor of the insurance companies.So that is everything you need to know about franchises at this decision stage. But what id you want to go down the route of independence? This will also have a number of advantages for you. For instance, you are able to choose and use the equipment and chemicals that you want to use and you will save a lot of money on these as you can search around for a place that offers you the best prices. The biggest advantage however, which you would not get if you chose a franchise, is that you would keep all of your profits.Again however, there are disadvantages attached to the independence route. Firstly, you have to teach yourself in both the skills and business sense. All the mistakes that a franchisor has already made in the business, you will probably make yourself and will then have to repair the possible damage yourself and this could cost you a lot of money, time and resources. You might not think that you will make mistakes but there is a very high probability that you will.The path that you take will determine the rest of your career and so it is very important that you choose the right one to take and the one that will suit you the most. Take time and care to weigh up all of the options available to you and then choose which one you think will be the right one for you. Even if you find one that you think is for you, ensure that you look at all the options and keep that one in mind, just in case there is another possible route that you may find later. Good luck!

Five Reasons Your Company Website Needs a Business Blog

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on May 13, 2009 at 6:30am

By Chuck CrawfordThere are a million reasons why your business needs to add a blog to it's website. Here are the five reasons I feel are most important.1.Content2.Customer interaction3.Branding4.Authority5.TrafficWebsite content: Content is king, I'm sure you've heard this catch phrase. It's plastered on every consulting site on the web. But it is true. Your website needs frequent additions of fresh, unique content for several different reasons.The search engines are looking for new content additions to your website, so when the search spiders find constant new content on your site, they often 'fall in love' with it. Coming back again and again. Taking you higher and higher in the search rankings.Customer interaction: Your customers and potential customers are looking at your and your company with a magnifying glass. They need assurance to buy your product or service. They need to know that they have a place to come after they've made their purchase for support.Having a blog that is current is a psychological soother to these would be buyers because they want to know that they have a place to come if they need help or have a problem. They want to see that you are available to them. A blog can give them that feeling they need to become a customer. It can help them make buying decisions.Branding: The more you write about your products and services on your business blog, the more you tie in your brand names with the proper keywords associated with whatever it is you sell. With a new company, or a lesser known company, most of your potential users do not search for your brand name. In order to change that, you need to associate the actual words they DO in fact search for with your company or brand name/names.As your company blog grows over time, more and more brand recognition comes to your company.Almost like magic.Authority: There are very few products or services sold on the internet that are competitor free. Your company most likely has competition, and you need to set yourself apart from the rest. By becoming the expert, your company consistently stands out from the crowd.One of the things I hear often from my new clients is that when they were searching for someone to handle their SEO, website design, or other services that we offer, my company and my name 'just kept popping up'... It's because I write a lot and my company blogs are all over the search engines for the services we provide.Having a corporate blog is one way you can set yourself apart from your competition. People generally want to deal with the very best in a given field or for a specific product or service. So BE the best. Be the authority.Traffic: Website traffic is a must. In order to survive, your company website needs visitors. It needs web traffic. Blog posting is one way to generate that much needed traffic. The more you blog, the more your site saturates the search engine result pages. The more your business saturates the SERP's the more traffic your site receives. The more traffic your website receives, the more sales your company makes. It's simple, cheap, and extremely effective.Like I said, there are a million other reasons your business website needs a blog and needs it now. You need an edge to compete on the internet today.A blog for your website is that edge your company needs.

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Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Small Biz Hump Day Promotion - March 10, 2010
1000 Business Card Design and Printing Package: FREE - A $65 Value