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Getting Ready to Make Money Online Now
How The Black Business Builders System Can Make You More Money Than You Ever Thought Possible!
There has never been a better time to become involved in Direct Response Marketing than right now. And you are truly in the right place at the right time, because the system you hold in your hands (or at least have infront of you) will allow you the opportunity to make all of your dreams -- both personal and financial -- a reality.
Nowadays, more people than ever are choosing to leave the workplace and enjoy the freedom that comes with being their own boss. But unless you're employed by someone else, the only way you'll ever be able to enjoy a work-from-home lifestyle is with a solid, proven business opportunity.
What Would You Consider To Be the Perfect Business Opportunity?
The Black Business Builders Club program is one of the greatest business training opportunities ever created. We know you've probably heard claims like this many times before, but by the time you're finished reading this page and visiting our site, you'll see why the Black Business Builders Club training program stands head and shoulders above the rest.
We've been in Direct Response Marketing since 1998 and during that time we've researched and investigated hundreds of different moneymaking opportunities. A few of them were worthwhile, but the majority of them were useless schemes designed by people whose only concern was taking your hard-earned money.
Perhaps you've even ordered one or more of these so-called "opportunities", only to find that what you were promised and what you received were two completely different things.
If so, you will find the information within these pages to be a pleasant surprise. We've taken the best parts of all the legitimate opportunities we found, combined them with our expertise and knowledge of the Internet, and developed a surefire way for anyone regardless of their experience to achieve whatever level of wealth they desire.
But before you find out more about this incredibly easy money making system, ask yourself this question: What would you consider to be the perfect business opportunity?
Based upon our many years of research and experience, we've found that all successful business opportunities have the following features in common:
* They offer unlimited potential for wealth!
* They offer multiple streams of income!
* They offer the potential to start generating cashflow within just hours of starting!
* They offer re-occurring income from a single effort (residual income)!
* They feature products with universal appeal!
* They're simple to understand and easy to work!
* They can be worked from anywhere!
* They allow you to set your own hours!
* They thrive despite the economy!
* They offer direct, one-on-one support!
* They don't take weeks or months to start up!
* They avoid the problems associated with owning your own traditional business like, employees or overhead!
* They don't cost an arm and a leg to start!
* They don't require and personal direct selling!
* They don't involve stocking or having inventories of products you must sell other people!
Wouldn't you agree that any business opportunity with all of the above characteristics offers you your greatest chance at achieving the kind of wealth everyone dreams of but few ever achieve?
Well, Black Business Builders offers you the potential to plug into all of these fantastic features and a whole lot more! But before we get into that, you should find out first what truly makes this opportunity a no-brainer.
The Multiple Different Ways The Black Business Builders Club Can Make You Money!
That's right! This business opportunity doesn't just offer you one way to build a huge income; it has the potential to offer you three different ways to earn money and several methods you can use to do it!
Take a sneak peek - http://www.blackbusinessaffiliate.com
Find out how the money works - http://www.blackbusinessbuilders.com/compplan.htm
MLM BLACK WOMAN
Have an Attitude of Gratitude This Season and Beyond
As you prepare to spend time with friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday, please remember the importance of being grateful everyday of your life. I call this having an "Attitude of Gratitude". I first heard this saying as a child, my Grandmother would remind my whole family of its importance. The reminder would usually come during the blessing, right before we devoured the delicious Thanksgiving dinner before us on the table. The saying stuck with me, but I must admit that from time to time throughout my life...I would "forget" the power of gratitude. Years later, the saying hit home with me once again while watching the movie and reading the book, "The Secret". Rhonda Byrne, the author of the bestselling book, explains how gratitude is one of the most powerful emotions you can use to bring all good into your life in absolute abundance. No matter who you are, gratitude can dissolve all negativity in your life, no matter what form it has taken.
The Secret explains that the law of attraction is one of the most powerful laws in the Universe. This magnificent law helps govern all energy, attracting like energy to like energy. As you focus on gratitude and think, speak and feel gratitude, you are transforming your energy frequency into one of the most powerful and highest frequencies of all. Gratitude attracts like energy of gratitude to it, so as you are feeling grateful you are powerfully bringing like energies to you, which will have you experience MORE things to be grateful for.
In other words, you will magnetize to you the energy of people, circumstances, and events that will bring all good into your life.
I am so grateful for you and the time you take to follow my blog and read my articles. I appreciate your time and your positive energy. I am thankful for the blessing of you and all the energy of gratitude you bring to this blog and to our social network, I Love MLMBlackwoman.com.
Please accept my humble, sincere love...and thank you.
So, as you enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday by sharing a blessing with all that you love...please carry the energy of Thanksgiving with you throughout the year and beyond. Have an Attitude of Gratitude everyday of your life!
Happy Thanksgiving"-)
British Ford-Hill
Creator, MLMBlackwoman.com
Small Business Marketing
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Welcome to the Black Owned NY Social Network!
You are invited to join the Black Owned NY Social Network to collaborate with other black business owners in New York!
This is a private social network for current and aspiring black business owners in New York.
CONNECT WITH FELLOW ENTREPRENEURS on the Black Owned NY Social Network:
1. Introduce yourself to the other business owners in this network.
2. Request connections with other local business owners
3. Start a Business Blog to inform the other entrepreneurs in this network about your business.
4. Join Business Groups to network with other business owners in your field and to request and offer Partner/Barter arrangements.
5. Get answers to your pertinent business questions from other business owners.
*. Invite Fellow Entrepreneurs to join in on the fun!
CONNECT WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS -
* Add Your Business Listing and Web Page to the BlackOwnedNewYork.com directory to ensure that your customers can find you and your business.
DECEMBER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Business Name: Deb Bailey Coaching
Business Description:
Life coaching to inspire and support you as you connect with your purpose and live the life of your dreams
Business Website:
http://www.dbaileycoach.com
I am interested in networking/partnering with the following businesses:
Businesses where I can enter into joint ventures.
Visit My Page »
Every month, a member will be highlighted based on their profile.
Events
December 6
Saturday
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2008 Holiday Classic
December 6, 2008 from 10am to 7pm – Friendship Worship Center
The theme of this year’s Holiday Classic is “TURNING YOUR HOME INTO A HOLIDAY WONDERLAND”. During the one-day Holiday Classic, you’ll hear the insights of those who are true leaders on the topics o...
Organized by African American Chamber of Commerce of New York | Type: Holiday, Gathering
Forum
BLACK YOUTH ENTERPRISE AND NON-PROFIT MOVEMENT GROWING TO NEW YORK CITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 24, 2008 Contact: R. Lee Gordon President / Co-Director UniTee Design, Inc. / The Better Detroit Youth Movement www.uniteedesign.com / www.betterdetroityouth.org r...
Tagged: Family, Culture, RBG, Power, Unity
Started by R. Lee Gordon in General Business 1 day ago.
Business Assistance, Grants, and Loans 3 Replies
ACCION New York provides micro-loans and business advisory services to individuals and small businesses that do not have access to traditional sources of credit. Visit www.accionnewyork.org for mo...
Started by Veronique Topping in Business Resources. Last reply by Veronique Topping Nov 1.
A TASTE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN NYC - PASS THIS ON!
Taste of Technology Small Business Series: Email Marketing - Boosting Profits and Getting Closer to Customers What: Taste of Technology Small Business Series: Email Marketing - Boosting Profits an...
Tagged: Entrepreneurs, Networking, Business, Small
Started by Eula in Introductions Oct 19.
Looking to go off-line and network
Chapter 37 of BNI (Business Networking International). Is looking for someone in the media profession to join their chapter. If you know anyone that may be interested in finding out more about thi...
Tagged: Owners, Entrepreneurs, Business, business, Growing
Started by Eula in Business Networking Oct 13.
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Blog Posts
BLACK YOUTH ENTERPRISE AND NON-PROFIT MOVEMENT GROW TO NEW YORK CITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2008
Contact: R. Lee Gordon
President / Co-Director
UniTee Design, Inc. / The Better Detroit Youth Movement
www.uniteedesign.com / www.betterdetroityouth.org
rgordon@uniteedesign.com / rgordon@betterdetroityouth.org
Toll Free: 888.OUR.RBG.TEES / Phone: 313.516.8384
BLACK YOUTH EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT ENTERPRISE EXPANDING TO NEW YORK CITY
Brooklyn, NY - As part of his mission to better reach and teach African American children, R. Lee Gordon is returning… Continue
Posted by R. Lee Gordon on December 1, 2008 at 11:26pm
Twitter: Online Marketing in 140 Characters or less
It doesn’t matter whether you are new to online marketing or you are a more seasoned business owner, you are always looking for new ways to network and get the word out about your product or service. You have to take a look at Twitter. It’s a hybrid between instant message and pint size blog. Twitter will change the way you interact with your existing customers and how you cultivate new customers. It is all about the relationships so remember givers gain on this new platform. There is a culture… Continue
Posted by Therese Prentice - Social Networking Queen on November 13, 2008 at 6:38pm
Business Owner on Blog Talk Radio
Posted by Eula on October 22, 2008 at 5:08pm
5 Reasons to Network with Local Business Owners
When you network with local business owners, you can:
1. Find Potential Business Partners
- When you reach out to local business owners, you may find convenient strategic business partners that you can team up with to share clients, participate in cross-marketing ventures, and share support.
For example, non-competing business owners such as a real estate agent and a real estate attorney can team up and agree to refer clients to each other in a deal that benefits both of their business… Continue
Posted by Veronique Topping on June 21, 2008 at 5:23pm
Join Black in the City Meetup Group
Posted by Yvonne Wilcox on August 6, 2008 at 3:40pm
The Black Business Coach
Why Most Black Web Sites Don't Get Real Traffic
People ask me all the time why they can't build up the traffic to their sites. Here's my answer: Because you don't spend the money, energy and time that's needed.Too often, people believe that passing out flyers and business cards with your web site on it is enough. What they fail to realize is that's the easy route that yields no results.
If you want results, you have to take the hard, tedious and somewhat expensive route. Most importantly, you must learn to be consistent with it and patient about it.
Here are two major suggestions:
1) Invest In Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Million of businesses use this method to increase their web traffic. Its costly, but it can still be affordable. My favorite service to use is Google Adwords. However, there are several out there including Yahoo Search Marketing, Adbrite.com, and most recently - FaceBook Ads and Myspace Ads.
The concept of pay-per-click advertising is simple. You bid on keyword search terms, and decide how much you want to pay whenever someone clicks on your ad. Typically, the rate is anywhere from $.10 to $.50 per click, but it can go much, much higher for certain keywords.
I personally use this method to build traffic to my network of my web sites, and take my word: it works!
2) Learn The Ropes of Content Marketing
You and your web site should be a resource to industry professionals. The best way to establish yourself as a resource is to supply content. This can be done by writing a book or hosting free seminars, but more relevantly by writing and distributing columns and articles to the online media.
Mainstream newswire services like PRweb.com and PRLeap.com, and African American newswire services like BlackPR.com are excellent tools to help you do this.
When writing your article, be sure to include your web site address. This will help readers to easily access your site, and it will also help you with higher organic search engine ranking. In other words, your site will be more likely to come up first when people search for related keywords.
I highly suggest that you write and distribute content on a weekly basis. If not, at least do so every other week or monthly.
Remember, that the process of building web traffic can be time-consuming and tedious. Like anything else worthwhile, it does require some effort.
Never Check E-Mail In the Morning
I was recently in a book store, and saw a business book by Julie Morgenstern entitled Never Check E-Mail In The Morning. I didn't even need to pick the book up because it instantly dawned on me why that is a very good idea.Checking email in the morning can wear you down before your day has even started. If you're like me, you get over 100 emails every single day. The problem is that reading and scanning emails not only can wear on your mind, but also on your eyes.
Doing this in the beginning of the day only inhibits any activities that you planned to do in the afternoon and evening. By then, you've already sucked up your brain's juice - so to speak.
Even more, reading and replying to email these days can take an hour or two or more - and before you know it you've wasted the whole morning doing this. For most of us, the whole morning can be half of our day.
The better idea is to check email in the late afternoon. This way you can use your morning energy on more productive activities such as sales calls, brainstorming, enhancing your company's services or products, strengthening your relationships with existing clients, and more.
Facebook Vs. LinkedIn - Which Is Better For Business?
Can I be blunt? I hate when my business contacts want to interact with me on Facebook. To me, Facebook is simply not a business environment. In my opinion, its an entertainment social network.Don't get me wrong though. I'm a huge fan of Facebook; I log in every other day or so. However, I use it only to interact with my friends and family members.
LinkedIn, on the other hand, is a professional social networking tool. In my opinion, this is clearly the better site for business. LinkedIn was designed to connect people with others so that they can either advance their careers or their companies - or both.
Users can find new partners, new clients, and even new vendors. Furthermore, LinkedIn strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts.
I'm sure some people believe that Facebook is just as useful for business networking, but I just don't see how it fits. Trying to do business on Facebook is like handing out business cards or brochures at a family or class reunion. Not very classy!
5 Misconceptions About Business Grants
Business grants have been accessible to business owners in the United States for decades. Annually, hundreds of millions of dollars in grant money are disbursed to individuals to help them start or expand an existing business. Despite this, every year several myths and misconceptions resurface discouraging entrepreneurs from taking advantage of such opportunities.Here are the top 5 misconceptions and why you should completely ignore them:
1) Business Grants Aren't Real
Of course, they're real. This can easily be verified by going to www.Grants.gov - a government sponsored web site that reveals all the federally funded grant opportunities available. Even more, you can check with your local (state, county and city) officials to find out about their grant opportunities. Business grants are very real!
2) Business Grants Are Only Given To People With Business Degrees
This couldn't be further from the truth. Very few grant opportunities require that you have a business degree. In fact, many of them don't even require that you have business experience.
3) Business Grants Aren't Given To Minorities
Wrong again. There are tons of grants that are designed for minority-owned businesses. Even more, women are considered minorities too - and there are plenty of grants for women.
4) Business Grants Are Too Hard To Get
Obtaining a business grant does require some work, and definitely some patience. It can involve a lengthy application, some tedious modifications to your business plan, and even some face-to-face meetings. However, many agree that its nothing close to rocket science.
5) Funding For Business Grants Has Been Drastically Reduced
Reduced, yes. Drastically, no. What funding doesn't get reduced in a bad economy? Despite this, there are still tons of opportunities available. So stop making excuses, and go get them.
The National Institute of Business Grants (www.Business-Grants.com) provides free tips, advice, and frequently asked questions pertaining to business grants.
Blacks in Computer Science: The Secrets of Their Success
In the near future, there may be a noticeable increase of Black-owned technology companies that offer computer and/or engineering services.After years of being labeled an "underrepresented minority" in computer science, African Americans in the U.S. are on the brink of leaving that category, with Bachelor's degrees in hand.
According to the Federal Government's National Center for Education Statistics, Black students received 12.4 percent of the baccalaureates in computer and information sciences awarded by U.S. colleges and universities in 2005-06. That's nearly equal to the percentage of blacks in the U.S. population (12.8 percent).
For advocates of minority participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), reaching this milestone is cause for celebration, especially since diversity in engineering remains stagnant. Black students received only 5 percent of the nation's bachelor's degrees in engineering awarded in 2005-06.
The November/December 2008 issue of NSBE Magazine presents an in-depth look at these important happenings, in a feature article titled, Blacks in Computer Science: The Secrets of Their Success.
To download the PDF, visit:
http://national.nsbe.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=YsNdVlXt/08=&tabid=98&mid=447
2009 Black Enterprise Conference Comes To Detroit
The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo is back — taking place May 17-20, 2009 at the Marriott Renaissance and COBO Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan. This year's theme is Shifting Gears: New Markets, New Opportunities.Hosted by General Motors, the three-day business conference and expo offers an opportunity for business growth and development which attracts the largest black-owned business leaders and professionals from around the nation.
Attendees can network with thousands, attend stellar sessions, discover new products and services, and learn the best tried and won strategies.
I will definitely be there, possibly with a booth for my company. Last year's event in Charlotte went extremely well, and I'm a huge fan of anything that Black Enterprise is doing.
For more information, visit www.BlackEnterprise.com/beec or call 800-209-7229.
Magic Johnson Talks Business
As a young man, Earvin “Magic” Johnson admired his father and other small-town entrepreneurs who created jobs and served as leaders in his Midwestern community. He worked for them, watched them, and his interest in building communities through economic development grew even while his basketball career flourished. His fame as an NBA star gave him access to some of the most successful business leaders in the country. It was Johnson’s own entrepreneurial spirit that inspired them to serve as his mentors.Johnson made the transition from great athlete to greater entrepreneur through hard work and by avidly pursuing opportunities. He recognized that densely populated urban communities were ripe for commercial and residential development. He partnered with major brands like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, and T.G.I. Friday’s to lead a major economic push in these communities. The success of his businesses proved that ethnically diverse urban residents would welcome and support major brands if given the opportunity. Johnson continues to be a leader of urban economic development that provides jobs, goods, and a new spirit of community.
His new book 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business will inspire and enlighten readers who wish to make a similar impact with their careers and business endeavors.
I've already flipped through the book and love the chapter where he talks about how he was the first NBA player ever to have an exclusive license contract to sell his own jerseys and T-shirts - and keep all the profits.
To order the book, visit www.Amazon.com
Were You Broke When The Economy Was Good?
Many people were struggling financially when the economy was booming, but are still struggling now. Suddenly though, they feel very comfortable blaming their situation on the bad economy.Conduct an honest self-evaluation. Are you broke because of the bad economy or because of the following other reasons?
1) Mismanaging Money
Problem: Some people are very guilty of overspending on unnecessary items. Others have no idea what a budget is.
Solution: Write down all your transactions, and total them up at the end of the month. It sounds tedious, but in two months you'll realize how much money you waste. $300 on fast food, $250 on video games, $500 on clothes. You'll be a changed person forever.
2) Mismanaging Your Personal Credit
Problem: Many have ruined their credit with unpaid bills and loans, late payments, bankruptcies, and more. Now they can't even buy a car (let alone a house) without paying 20% interest rates.
Solution: Get a copy of your credit report and a calendar, and come up with a 3-5 year plan to fix your credit. Call your lenders and tell them you are serious about paying them back, and ask them to reduce what you owe. Many times, they will comply. Remember that just $50 a month for 4 years can pay off $2,400 worth of debt.
3) Not Learning A Trade Or Skill
Problem: Many never took advantage of the opportunity to attend college or learn a trade. Now, they are stuck with minimum wage jobs and no expertise to start a company of their own.
Solution: Discover what skills you are naturally good at, and teach yourself more. Find the right books, take an online class, earn a certification if possible, and get rolling. Its never too late to start.
4) Not Saving Money
Problem: Too often, people don't put money away. Many don't even have savings accounts, let alone a retirement plan.
Solution: It may be sunny for a while, but one day it will rain. Hard times are inevitable. Put as much money as possible away, so that when you need it - it will be there. Think about it: Had you done this 5 years ago, you'd probably have a little bit of money to get you through this bad economy. Open up a savings account today, and use it.
Southwest Comes To NYC - Finally!
For those of you who love to fly Southwest Airlines, but also travel to New York City frequently - your day has finally come.Currently, the airline only flies to Long Island - which is quite a distance from the city. However, they are planing to start operations at LaGuardia Airport, a move that surprised some in the commercial aviation industry.
Southwest said in an announcement that it will buy assets from bankrupt ATA Airlines Inc. for $7.5 million. ATA ceased operations in April after filing for Chapter 11 protection.
That purchase is to include ATA's 14 flight slots at LaGuardia, plus ATA's operating certificate. With those slots, Southwest will be able to operate seven round-trip flights a day. They did not name any destinations and did not announce a time to start service.
Before that happens though, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court must approve Southwest's bid and ATA's reorganization plan. If the approval goes through, flights should start sometime in 2009.
Then, the only major market that they don't fly to will be Atlanta.
Good News For Business Credit Cardholders
For those of you who use business credit cards to finance your companies when your cash flow is low, there may be some good news ahead. Tamara E. Holmes, a writer for Black Enterprise Magazine, discusses the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act that was recently passed by the House of Representatives. Here are some snippets:The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act, passed in September by the House of Representatives, would restrict certain practices by credit card issuers. Among them, it would prohibit interest rate hikes on existing balances under certain conditions, restrict card issuers from applying credit card payments to debts with the lowest interest rates first, and require banks to mail bills 25 days before the due date.
“Credit cards are now the largest source of financing for small business owners,” says Kyle W. Kempf, senior director of government affairs for the National Small Business Association (NSBA), a Washington, D.C.-based advocate for small businesses. “With business lending drying up, small business owners are going to increasingly turn to their credit cards. It’s important that this vital capital avenue be regulated with some sensibility.”
"The bill must still go before the Senate, but with a new Congress convening in January, it is unlikely to be passed before then unless it’s added to the proposed second stimulus bill," Kempf says. "If that doesn’t happen, Congress will have to start all over again next year."
Under the legislation, card issuers would not be able to raise interest rates unless a promotional rate expires, an index that the rate is based on changes, or if a minimum payment on an existing balance is more than 30 days late. Card issuers would also have to provide written notice of a rate increase at least 45 days before the change goes into effect. "Business owners who depend upon credit would be better able to control their finances without the fear of a sudden payment increase looming," Kempf says. “Having $25,000 [with an interest rate of] 10% go to $25,000 at 30% is significant. It makes it difficult to have a sound business plan.”
The bill’s passage could also help offset another recent practice by the credit card industry that has hurt small businesses. With the credit market tightening, some cardholders have begun reducing the credit limits of customers who they perceive to be at risk of default. “If your credit limit is $10,000 on a small business account and they cut your credit limit in half, what do you do?” says Bill Hardekopf, founder of LowCards.com, a Birmingham, Alabama-based company that tracks credit card rates and practices. “You might need that extra $5,000 that they cut to order inventory or pay your bills while you wait for your cash flow to come in. It can have a devastating effect.”
Kempf is confident that the legislation will pass, either this year or after being re-introduced next year, particularly in light of the current state of the economy. “Small businesses are the only part of the economy that is still actually creating jobs unlike everyone else who is shedding them,” he says. The House passed the bill 312-112.
For the full article, visit:
www.blackenterprise.com/entrepreneurs/entrepreneurs-news/2008/11/10/credit-cardholders-bill-may-lighten-load-for-businesses/
The Ten Most Common Web Site Design Mistakes
I recently received this email from InternetRetailer.com that convinced me to be at their next conference in 2009. Here's what it said:You may think your web store looks just great and you have a right to be proud of it. But did you ever sit with a focus group to see what problems they had with it? Did you ever have top web site designers analyze it to find flaws? And have you listened to e-retailers tell you how they’ve vastly improved online sales and conversion rates just by making basic design changes that eliminated the most common web site design faux pas?
You can do all of this and more by attending the second annual Internet Retailer Web Design '09 Conference at the all-new Fontainebleau in Miami Beach on June 19-22, 2009.
Here are just 10 common design mistakes you’ll learn to avoid at IRWD ’09:
1. The Home Page Syndrome
You put most of your design resources on the home page and treat product pages as mere information pages—not marketing opportunities. In the session Designing Landing Pages that Sell, you’ll learn that the sale is really made on the product page.
2. A Design Pet That Bites.
You fall in love with one design function, using all the cool graphics you can, at the expense of meeting other key objectives, such as simplifying site navigation. In the session called One Site, Many Masters: Accommodating Conflicting Design Objectives, you’ll learn how to please your pet while not overlooking basic rules
3. Beware the Overbearing Geek.
You let your IT professional run wild and dictate design parameters that ignore marketing or merchandising needs. In Programmers Are from Mars, Customers Are from Venus, you’ll learn how to let the customer rule the design roost.
4. Conventional Wisdom Can Be Stupid
You adopt generally accepted design standards but fail to adapt them to how your own customers use your web site. In the session How Your Market Defines Your Design, you’ll learn how to gauge what design elements your customers are looking for.
5. Do It Now—Ask Questions Later.
You make a relatively minor change to your design without rigorously testing it. The next thing you know, your online sales are dropping. In the session called The Importance of Testing, you’ll learn how to thoroughly test the impact of design changes.
6. The Don’t Fix What Ain’t Broke Mentality.
Your site is working so well you don’t think about redesigning it until it blows up on you. In the session called Is It Time Yet?, you will learn how to spot telltale signs that your site is overdue for a do over.
7. Who Are You Anyway?
You choose an outside designer to work on your site without checking his/her retail web qualifications or success record. In Choosing the Right Design Partner, you’ll learn how to spot a good retail web site designer before you move forward.
8. The Anything Goes Attitude.
You assume that with broadband web access everywhere, you can load up your site with all kinds of images. In Every Byte Counts, you’ll learn otherwise.
9. It’s Just A Store.
You think web sites are just like stores and need only products neatly arranged. You forget that non-product content is often what attracts people to a site. You will see what we mean at the session What Engages Shoppers Now — And What Will Engage Them Tomorrow.
10. What Are You—Anti-Social?
If your site doesn’t use forums, blogs and reviews, it fails to connect to the community it serves. Retailers in particular miss this, but the session Leveraging Social Technologies Strategically in Your Site Design will set them straight.
To register for the 2009 Internet Retailer Web Design Conference, visit:
www.internetretailer.com/IRWD09/
Dante Lee Featured on Tavis Smiley Radio Show
I was recently featured on the Tavis Smiley Show on PRI (Public Radio International), live from his studio headquarters in Los Angeles. During the interview, I spoke about the African American web properties that my partner Will Moss and I have housed under our recently formed Lee Moss Media brand. These include BlackNews.com, BlackHistory.com, HBCUconnect.com, BlackWomenConnect.com, BlackInAmerica.com, and many others.
I elaborated on our mission to create the most relevant and resourceful online experience for African Americans, and our goal to own the largest network of premium African American web properties. I also spoke of ConnectPlatform.com - a new tool that Moss developed to allow African American individuals, groups, and organizations to create their own social networks for free.
To listen to the full interview, visit:
www.tavissmileyradio.com/zen/TSR/guests08/111408/DanteLee_FREEprev.php
About The Tavis Smiley Show
The Tavis Smiley Show is a high-energy exchange of views, information, and insight hosted by Tavis Smiley. The two-hour weekly show offers a unique blend of news and newsmakers in expanded conversations, along with feature reports and regular commentators Cornel West, Connie Rice, J.C. Watts, Omar Wasow, Dr. Ian Smith, Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, Michael Eric Dyson, Antonio Gonzalez and George Johnson. For more details, visit www.tavissmileyradio.com
Obama's Using Web Video - What About You?
President-elect Barack Obama plans to tape a weekly presidential address not just for radio listeners, as presidents have for years, but for YouTube Internet viewers, too.The videos are part of his team's effort to build on a campaign model that helped him reach millions of voters online during the presidential race. It's a powerful electronic tool in new digital outreach effort aimed at supporters and others interested in being connected to the activities of the Obama White House.
The videos allow him to bypass the traditional media and reinforce his message online.
So what does this mean for entrepreneurs? It's quite simple - you need to start using web videos for your weekly or monthly entrepreneurial address. Just like Obama, you can post your web videos on YouTube.
Meaningful footage can consist of interviews, video blogging, public speaking engagements, and even Powerpoint presentations.
Don't be intimidated. You can buy a You-Tube friendly video camera from Wal-Mart, Target, or Best Buy. Secondly, it's incredibly easy to post the video on YouTube. You just go to YouTube.com and click on "Upload".
Stop Worrying About The Economy and Start Focusing on Sales
Retail sales tumbled again in October, posting a record dive as consumers cut back spending on a wide variety of goods ranging from cars to furniture to electronics. Should you be worried as an entrepreneur? Not at all.Here are some snippets from a column written by Elly Valas, a retail consultant, sales expert, and contributor at DealerScope.com:
Stop worrying about the economy and start focusing on things you can control. If business is flat or down, you’ll have to steal market share from your competitors to stay even or grow. In order to that, you’ll have to be faster, smarter, more creative, and offer better customer service.
A recent study, the Retail Consumer Dissatisfaction Survey, showed the top reasons why customers don’t buy. One third reported they couldn’t find a sales associate; 25 percent were completely ignored by a sales associate, and six said they left because associates were poorly trained.
According to a study conducted by Bain & Company, 80 percent of companies believed they delivered a “superior experience” to their customers. Customers of those companies, however, only felt that 8 percent delivered an exceptional experience. Ouch.
Act like a job applicant. After all, you’re trying to get “hired” as your client’s trusted advisor-and create a resume to convince prospects why they should buy from you.
...List the ways your company differentiates your customer’s buying experience. Don’t forget to tout your [perks]. For example: extended credit terms; delivery, repair, service and installation departments; experienced sales staff; extensive displays; brand-name product selection, [and even free shipping]. You can even list your no lemon policy and your price guarantee.
Don’t hesitate to sell [yourself and/or] your staff as career professionals. Publicize awards you’ve won from trade associations, industry groups or magazines. You only get to be retailer of the year if you know your stuff.
Monitor your customer satisfaction to ensure outstanding service. Tell your clients you’ll be in touch with them to answer any questions that may come up after they’ve used their products for a week or so. Call customers to ensure they are satisfied with the purchase experience. Field any questions they have and ask if they’d buy from you again. Finally, ask them to refer friends.
Customer dissatisfaction happens when there is a disconnect in the experience customers think they’re going to get and what is actually delivered. Warehouse clubs are successful because they deliver on their no-frills, low-price promise. If you’re claiming to be the best, then your [business] needs to shine and your team needs to dress and act like professionals.
Valas also writes that if you own a gas station, remember that when gas is over $4 a gallon, people still buy gas. Your job is to make sure they buy from you and not from your competitors.
For the complete article, visit:
www.dealerscope.com/article/retailers-can-find-good-news-during-bad-economic-times-higher-food-gas-prices-low-consumer-confidence-110840_1.html
Dr. Seuss Sold 222 Million Books
Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) had his first book rejected 27 times from publishers. Finally in 1937, Vanguard Press gave him a chance. Wikipedia reports that he went on to sell over 222 million books, in 15 different languages. Spirit Magazine claims he sold 600 million books.Either way, Dr. Seuss is a huge international success story for all entrepreneurs to take note of. To date, of the 100 best-selling books of all time for children, 16 were written by Dr. Seuss.
Again, he was rejected repeatedly by major book publishers who supposedly were the industry experts. They were dead wrong, and lost billions because of it.
What's the lesson for us? Never give up on your ideas or your goals, and never be intimidated by big companies who turn you down. Be persistent and bold, and believe in yourself no matter what. If you get negative feedback, consider it and tweak your ideas as you see fit - but don't ever back down.
Jay-Z's Rocawear Earns Huge Profit Despite Tough Economy
Though the economy is bad, its still very possible for Black-owned companies to be profitable. The hip-hop industry, for example, continues to flourish.Bloggers at LiveSteez.com report:
In the midst of an economic turmoil, fashion lovers are still making their way into the stores to purchase some fly gear.
Hip-Hop apparel brand Rocawear has earned over $18.3 million dollars for the third quarter of 2008. The clothing line helped its parent company Iconix Brand Group post a better-than-expected quarterly profit, despite a sluggish economy and a tough U.S. retailing market.
Iconix bought Rocawear from Jay-Z in 2007 for $204 million dollars. According to Iconix CEO Neil Cole, Jay-Z’s direct involvement with Rocawear helped boost the company’s earnings, as did growing sales from the company’s London Fog brand of clothing.
Iconix also owns brands like Candie's, Joe Boxer, Starter and OP, and Rocawear. Rocawear also recently debuted its first fragrance, 9IX Rocawear, as reported by AllHipHop.com.
How To Crush Your Opponent
First, the Boston Celtics crushed Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers when they surprisingly won this year's NBA Championship. Then, Tiger Woods won the 2008 U.S. Open for the third time, giving him more major career wins than any other active golfer. And most recently, the Illinois Obamas defeated the Arizona McCains to win the White House. Did you see McCain's teary-eyed concession speech? Did you see him driving back home with his wife (with no motorcade)? Crushed!
How can you crush your business opponents? How can you eliminate the competition? How can you run the show? How can you "get yours"?
Here are 5 secrets:
1) Turn Impossible into Possible.
2) Turn Impossible into Possible.
3) Turn Impossible into Possible.
4) Turn Impossible into Possible.
5) Repeat steps 1-4.