Blogs

If you listened to my show on Saturday, you know I spoke with Heather Shelton about how Black business owners can leverage our economic clout. 

If you didn't hear it, click here to hear it now. 

Wherever you are in the world, your customers are looking for you right now.  You need to be where they can find you. This has huge potential for us as Black business owners.  We can transform the entire situation. 

I will be publishing an international directory of Black-owned businesses.  This is for all Black business owners, men as well as women.  To find out more, send me a message or click here to contact me. 

Here's to your success! 

Dedication means spending whatever time or energy is necessary to accomplish the task at hand. A leader inspires dedication by example, doing whatever it takes to complete the next step toward the vision. By setting an excellent example, leaders can show followers that there are no nine-to-five jobs on the team, only opportunities to achieve something great.

You can review it and purchase it here for $0.99 on Kindle. :-)

Happy Sunday BBWO,

I would love it if you could take a few minutes and share some of your favorite BBWO memories with us. I want to not only see and share BUT archive some of the wonderful experiences that members have had over the last 5 years. Click here to share your stories.

Our Facebook Page is Buzzing Today

- Today we are sharing Favorite Quotes and Business Links
- Video: Gabriel Douglas - Raising an Olympian
- Can you describe this photo in 3 words
- Black Beauty and Natural Hair Care Products
- Breaking, but Not Broken (need some motivation, read this)
- Working in Style - Share Your Favorite Fashion Finds
- BBWO50 Honoree Deborah Owens is also apart of Essence 2012 Dream Team!
- Comment on the BBWO50 Honorees List
- Tell us: Is your glass half empty or half full today?
- Oprah's Got Twitter Haters?

More to come! -LaShanda Henry

p.s. The current $1 Digital Download is the Black Women Online eguide. Click here to download.

Throughout our lives, we all have moments, seasons, where we experience life at it's best and it's worst.  But what do you do with those moments?  Do you say, "I'll never do that again".  Maybe something like, "Now I know what not to do", or how about, "What did I learn from all this"?  Every moment is a lesson and it all depends on how you perceive it and what you do with it.

We can very easily make our bad experience worse when we reflect on it as such. But what about the flip side, what did you learn from this experience?  How can my life be better because of what I've gone through?  Here's how...

Learn from it and move on!

No need to dwell on the negative, you'll just keep yourself stuck in the same mindset, without even realizing it.   And then everything around you will start to take on the same negative thought process.  Your job, your relationships, your mood, your happiness, everything will start to take a downward turn.  And the reality is that you have allowed it to get to this point because you just could not let it go.  Your thoughts kept the cycle going.

At this moment, make a choice.  A choice to be better, a choice to not allow this to destroy you, a choice to release the negative and move on.  Start to feel better immediately.  Remember all the wonderful people and great things in your life that you love and surround yourself with greatness.  If yours is a story you feel comfortable in sharing, then do that.  There is enormous gratitude in knowing that you have helped someone because of your own testimony.  Feel good again and don't let this experience deprive you of another minute of your very precious, very beautiful life.

Here's the formula:

Learn From It

Make A Choice

Release It

Move On

Feel Good Now

With Love and Gratitude,

The Black Woman's Rule Book

http://thebwrb.com/

"Its not who you are that holds you back, its who you think your not"

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room Just as cool as you please,
And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered  What they see in me.
They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery.
When I try to show them, They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing, It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
—Maya Angelou

A reported two million people are in London right now for the London 2012 Olympics. 

If you are visiting London, the UK or Europe this summer, you will want to know where you can find Black-owned businesses. 

When Black people step off the plane, they will want to know:

• Where can I get some nice food? 
• Where can I get my hair done? 
• Where can I buy some lovely gifts for the folks back home? 
• Where can I find a company that will provide business services fast? 

In other words, Where Are the Black People? 

They will be looking for YOUR BUSINESS. 

Want to advertise your business to Londoners, visitors and tourists this summer?  It's just £30 to be included in my directory of Black-owned businesses. 

Click here to contact me if you want to place an ad.  My Black business directory will be advertised widely. 

Click here for more info. 

This offer is for ALL Black-owned businesses - men's as well as women's. 

Click here for more about Making Money from the Olympics. 

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Are you looking for a great read? Check out my latest novel "Ebony the Beloved". It is available on Kindle for $0.99 and you can review the excerpt before you decide to buy it. Happy reading! :-)

Image Courtesy of Fotolia

"Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true." Lester R. Bittel

Recently, I offered a marketing plan review as a door prize for a local business group. When I approached the winner to exchange information, she whispered that she didn’t have a written one; she had it stored in her head. She then asked it a marketing plan was even necessary.

Should Your Small Business Have A Marketing Plan?

Absolutely! In fact, as a small business consultant, I've encountered numerous clients who repeatedly make the same mistake… failing to have a plan ‘business or marketing’ in place.

In a recent survey, I asked 200 respondents, ‘of the many issues facing their businesses, what common road blocks hindered their business growth.’ An overwhelming 32% said ‘No Marketing Plan’ was a potential reason for lack of sales and growth.

Why Marketing Plan?

Well, a marketing plan is a road map that details a route you should take to successfully promote and expand your business. It is critical to the success of a business, in fact, to all businesses! If a small business wants to achieve its potential, a marketing plan must be implemented!

Marketing is more than just ordering business cards or creating a flyer, it’s how you communicate with your current and potential clients. It is important to get your name out in the business community and differentiate your products and services from that of your competitor. If you don’t market your products or services, how will people know that you are a serious business owner or worse, in business? With a marketing plan, you will have a game plan in place.

A marketing plan is an integral and valuable tool for determining success of your business and the overall direction that your product or service should be taking. It should:

• Clarify the impact and results of past marketing decisions.
• Elucidate the external market that a company is competing.
• Include deadlines for meeting those targets.
• Prepare a budget for all marketing activities.
• Set objectives and provide path for future marketing efforts.
• Require accountability and measures for all activities.

7 Key Components of a Marketing Plan

Market Research

Gather information about your target market to include competition, business and industry environment.

When researching, answer the following questions:

1. Who are your customers?
2. What do they want or need?
3. What is important to them?
4. Who are your competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
5. What is your businesses environment, locally, regionally, and nationally?
6. Is your industry doing well?
   

Target Market

Potential customers who have issues that or problems which your products or services can fulfill. Generally, people in this segment possess common characteristics and a relatively high tendency to purchase a particular product or service. Included in a target market are demographic, geographic and psychographic characteristics.

Executive Summary

A brief summary which includes the main points of the plan; generally shared with people you approach with your plan, such as investors or lenders who may want to read a synthesized version to determine if they are interested in it before taking the time to read it in depth.

Situation Analysis

The evaluation of operations to determine the reasons for the gap between what was or is expected, and what has happened or will happen.

SWOT Analysis

A formal outline to identify and frame a company’s’ growth opportunities; SWOT is an acronym for an organization's internal Strengths and Weaknesses and external Opportunities and Threats.

Marketing Strategy

A process that allows a company's to concentrate its limited resources on the greatest opportunities to increase sales and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.

Budget

Estimates tied to specific allocation of revenues. A budget is required to have a successful marketing plan.

• Yearly marketing budget
• Expected return after investment
• Breakdown of expected expenditures

In conclusion, as you can see, a marketing plan serves as your road map. It is critical for the success of your business. If writing a marketing plan seems a little intimidating, click here for FREEtools to help you.

Sylvia Browder is a small business consultant, trainer and author. She is founder of National Association Women on the Rise, a virtual community for aspiring and established women entrepreneurs. For the past 6 years, she has worked as Project Director of the Women's Business Center; and served as an online volunteer SCORE counselor since 2004. For FREE weekly articles go to Sylvia Browder's Blog for Women Entrepreneurs, http://www.sylviabrowder.com.

Greetings BBWO!

For my fellow web women I have three fabulous $1 downloads. Plus you can share your own offers via our BBWO group $1 downloads and Daily Deals.

(1) Just for One Hour
This deal ends in an hour (approx 3:30 est) - Click here to submit your shops to the BBWO directory for $1.

(2) Daily Download
SistaSense shares "5 Ways to Monetize Your Blog", "Boost Online Sales" + "Create an Active Facebook Fan Page in (10 minutes or less)" + the "BBWO 50 Fabulous Women Entrepreneurs" List and more! Download the Summer Issue of SistaSense In Print Magazine today for $1 (digital download reg. $2.95).

(3) What's your web world look like?
Discover some of the best websites online with the Black Women Online e-guide; from bloggers and business resources to parenting and entertainment websites. Click here for this dollar download.

After 5 BBWO years, I am sure you have a story to tell. Click here to share your BBWO memories and remember to join the BBWO deals group. More to come! -lh

I’ve created a fun little contest where anyone has the chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card for doing something that is really, really simple and could help grow your business or someone else’s business that you may know, or simply put an extra $100 in your pocket!

The beauty of this contest is that ANYONE can win! And it’s free to participate!

To enter this giveaway, you just need to complete 3 simple steps and you will automatically be enrolled into this contest!

3 Easy Steps To Qualify For

A $100 Visa Gift Card

Step 1 – Like My NEW Facebook Page

Step 2 – Like & Share This Post on Facebook or Retweet on Twitter

Step 3 – Drop me a line introducing yourself and/or your business on my New Facebook Page

That’s it! That’s all you have to do to be entered in the $100 Visa Gift Card giveaway!

The deadline for this giveaway is Sunday, 11:59 PM PST September 30th, 2012. The winner will be randomly selected and notified via facebook based on the facebook profile you leave in comments section on my page. Remember, the more you share on facebook, tweet/retweet, and spread the word, the better your chances of winning! So tell everyone you know and submit your comments on my page! I am tracking everything, and if you haven’t done all 3 steps, you will be disqualified and I will randomly select a new winner.

Why the New Fan Page?  I have taken on a new 90 Day marketing challenge and part of it includes starting from scratch (my Facebook initiatives that is). I am also making my page much more interactive, providing more value and offering FREE Exclusive Offers, Apps, Training, Promotions and Updates!  The new page is still being constructed but I’m sure that you will love it!

Thanks Much!!

Veronica Gold

Fire Up Your Client Attraction now via Social Media - Surefire Keys to Get Clients, Visibility and Profit Using Social Media

So many of us are unhappy and unsatisfied with how we are managing our lives. Though most of us are grateful for the ability to have an income during this tough economic season, I believe the #1 desire is to do what you love to do. A great percentage of time and energy is directed toward doing alot of busy work. Unfortunately when that's the case, we have no say so in the qualty of life for 7-12 hours of the day. That's a whole lot of time doing what you know doesn't offer satisfaction.

Operating in your passion is the most important thing you can do in life, because it causes something on the inside of you to bubble up. You feel euphoric. You're motivated, inspired and built up and you have a feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day, not dread that you got through it.

So what occurs when you are not connected to your passion?

• You have no joy. It's all over your face.
• You lose your sharpness.
• You take less risks in life because you don't see the benefit of going against the grain.You become comfortable with where you are and what you're doing. You have found a way to be comfortable even though you are unhappy, joyless and unmotivated.
• You miss out on opportunities to reach people with your gifts and talents. You're not changing lives. At the end of the day, you should ask yourself,"whose life have I changed today?"

You know I can list more, but I think you get the message. We were not created to live this way. I've found that people who are passionate about life are:

• Productive daily.
• They are not afraid.
• They follow their calling, take risks, and see challenges as opportunities to expand.
• They are in synch with who they really are and it's revealed in what they say, do and think.

Until you discover your core DNA, you are living a life of mediocrity. Take intentional steps to do the great things you were meant to do. You owe it to yourself!

According to Merriam-Webster.com, one definition of “victorious” is:

• having won a victory
• of, relating to, or characteristic of victory

This led me to look up the definition of “victory,” which is achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.

Here are a few characteristics I believe all victorious women possess:

1. She knows how to let go of the past and other things that may hold her back so she can step into a brighter future. A victorious woman knows it does no good to hold on to grudges or allow what happened in the past to hold her hostage. She understands that to move into the successful life she deserves and desires, she must forgive and let go.
2. She finds a way to make her dreams come true. A victorious woman realizes that she has her dreams for a reason and that God didn’t give her her desires without a way to make them happen. She knows that the road may be long and have bumps and curves, but she also knows that she can and will find a way to bring her dreams and desires to fruition.
3. A victorious woman isn’t defined by other people’s opinions of her. She knows that people will have their thoughts about her and what she does, but she knows that, at the end of the day, the only opinion that truly matters is her own and God’s. She understands that what is really important is walking in her calling and doing what she’s been purposed to do.
4. She lets go of the idea of being perfect or “Superwoman.” A victorious woman realizes there’s no such thing as being perfect (i.e., flawless); she knows that she can and should be the best she can be. And she continuously strives for excellence and works on being the best version of herself.
5. She stays away from negative situations and people. Although she may have to deal with them at times, a victorious woman does not constantly stay in situations that are negative and energy-draining, nor does she hang around individuals who continuously complain, gossip or who never have anything positive to say or contribute. She knows that she must surround herself with positivity.
6. A victorious woman never lets defeat have the last word. She knows that her journey in life won’t always be easy or lined with gold. She knows that she will fall down, fail and have disappointments. But, a victorious woman always picks herself up, dusts herself off and keeps it moving until she reaches her destination!

Are there any other characteristics you would add? Please share below! 

Dreamer. Lover of life. Goal getter. These are just a few words to describe Jamie Fleming-Dixon, inspirational writer, blogger, editor and F.A.B. Life Strategist. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of For Colored Gurls, a personal development blog with the mission of inspiring and empowering women to live their most Fabulous lives. Additionally, she is owner of Mocha Writer, a boutique copy editing and proofreading service.

Jamie is also the author of How to Change Your Mindset + Live Your Most Fabulous Life, a motivational book, providing practical tips for creating a more positive mindset and living the life of one's dream. She has been featured in several websites, blogs, magazines and Blog Talk Radio Shows, including TheCEOMamma.com, AfroElle Magazine and Prominence Magazine and was recently named one of the 2012 50 Fabulous Women Entrepreneurs on BBWO (Black Business Women Online). Visit her online at jamieflemingdixon.com. 

Do you need help writing your novel, but you don't know how to get started and you need a ghost writer? I am a published author and fiction ghostwriter.

Are you a publicist and you're overwhelmed with the work load and you need a virtual assistant? No problem. I worked with publicists before and I'm a former journalist and I helped publicists secure new clients.

Are you an author and publisher who needs help running your publishing company and you're exhausted, say no more. I have experience working with a publisher and securing new authors.

My rates are very affordable and I take pride in everything I do. You can inbox me or email me at Hdspivey@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. :-)

GPS is looking for People Who Prosper OR anyone that is successful, considers themselves successful, or on their way to success!

We are looking to feature and introduce people who are up and coming in their business or already there! PeopleWhoProsper.com is a place that features business owners and shares their stories with someone who just might be able to relate. Believe it or not, sometimes it helps to stay motivated when you hear other people's stories, and this is our goal: Not only to feature successful prosperous people, but to help keep others MOTIVATED.

So, WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF? We want you to tell US about YOU. It's easy for anyone to be a fan of your website, blog, Facebook page, or twitter. But PeopleWhoProsper.com is a place for you to challenge yourself and put yourself out there. We give you a chance to brag about yourself! Because let's face it, if you can't talk about you, then who else will? Tell us about your business and services and how long you've been in business. Why did you decide to go into business for yourself? We want to hear your story.

I am challenging you today to step out and tell others about you! Here's all you have to do: Email with subject line PeopleWhoProsper to tamara@garrisonprosperitysolutions.com Include your business name, website and a synopsis of "your story". After getting in touch with you, you will be sent a series of questions about yourself, your business and/or services. After you return the answered questions, you will then be featured on GarrisonProsperitySolutions.com, PeopleWhoProsperTV, and over 16,000 people on youtube!

So, take the first step today and tell us about yourself! You never know who will need to hear your story OR need your services!

Deuteronomy 8:18: But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Ebony has been condemned and rejected by her parents and peers all of her life. Like many other black girls who grew up weary to face life, she struggles with the adversities of being impoverished and accepted for who she is. After being mentally, emotionally and sexually abused, Ebony still struggles to fight her way to the top, never fully realizing what her worth is until she finds love and acceptance from one of the faculty members at her school. From that point on, things began to blossom for her until she meets a smooth operator named, Desmond Waltz.

Desmond is a world renowned entertainer who takes a sudden romantic interest in Ebony. His hidden sadistic and sexually devious desires for her erupt into rage, abuse, and imprisonment. Not only is Ebony's world turned upside down, but she has to deal with Desmond's desire to see her suffer under his thumb, but she is also subjected to his domineering mother, who hates her and abuses her every time she gets, leaving Ebony beaten and bloody and begging for the pain to stop.

Will Ebony be able to break the perpetual cycle of abuse, self-hatred, and anguish? To what end is Ebony willing to go to finally be happy? What happens next in this riveting novel has twists and turns that will have your jaw dropping.

For most of you who can relate to being domestic and spiritually abused, I'm more than sure you can relate to Ebony Starks. "Ebony the Beloved" is available here: Kindle for $0.99. It is also available in paperback on Amazon for $13.99.

DEATH TO CHILD ABUSE, PEDOPHILIA, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!

Hello,

My name is Hannah D. Spivey and I am searching for a PAID virtual assistant position. My work history consists of office and administrative work. I am a published author and I specialize in creative as well as professional writing. If you're searching for a virtual assistant or article writer, you can email me at Hdspivey@hotmail.com or email. Thanks a bunch. :-)

Hannah

With the London 2102 Olympics in full swing, we are asking, is your Black-owned business benefiting from the Olympics?

Big sponsors like McDonald's are profiting from the Olympic games, but what impact are the games having on small and medium-sized businesses? 

We want to hear your opinion, so please join us.

Click here for the radio show: Black Business and the Olympics on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. EST.

Click here for details of how you can advertise your business. Your business will be listed in the Black Business Directory for international visitors. 

See also:  Making Money from the Olympics.