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Tag: market

  • Facebook: An Essential New Tool For Small Business Marketing

    The New York Times has just published an excellent article called: “How to Market Your Business With Facebook.” Some small business owners have eagerly jumped on the social media trend, while others like to keep it old school with traditional email marketing. But in this economy, entrepreneurs need to be as creative as possible about reaching new audiences while stretching marketing dollars, if you are lucky to have any. Getting to know Facebook is a great way to hop on social media’s runaway train, which shows no signs of slowing.

    Of Facebook’s growing cache as a marketing vehicle, The Times states:

    A growing number of businesses are making Facebook an indispensable part of hanging out their shingles. Small businesses are using it to find new customers, build online communities of fans and dig into gold mines of demographic information.

    “You need to be where your customers are and your prospective customers are,” said Clara Shih, author of ‘The Facebook Era’ (Pearson Education, 2009). “And with 300 million people on Facebook, and still growing, that’s increasingly where your audience is for a lot of products and services.”

    This two-page primer on Facebook marketing is a must for small business owners, even if you are already a regular visitor to Facebook.com. As social media sites make it possible for the average person to reach thousands of customers through a little online elbow grease, the time to utilize Facebook.com to the full is now.

    Do you use Facebook to market your small business? Share your success stories or cautionary tales below.

  • Jobless Claims Fall More Than Expected

    New claims for unemployment insurance fell more than expected last week, evidence the job market is slowly healing as the economy recovers.

  • Boston Market $1 Meal Deal

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    KFC isn’t the only game in town offering cheap eats. Now through Monday, Nov. 1, you can stop by your neighborhood Boston Market and get an entire MEAL for $1. You read it right, $1 MEAL! Click this link to download your free coupon for the $1 Boston Market chicken meal coupons. Only one coupon can be redeemed per person, per visit.

    Coupons are good for a quarter chicken, mashed potatoes and corn bread. Don’t miss out on this great deal. You’ll also find other valuable coupons on the Boston Market site valid until Nov. 25. But none like the $1 deal!

    BV came across another fast food deal. You may have heard about the new Black Jack tacos at Taco Bell. Well, it seems most of its participating restaurants are doling out free Black Jack tacos on Halloween night from 6PM to midnight. No coupon is necessary. Just stop in and get your freebie!

     

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  • Chris Rock Gets Real Sensitive About AOL and Good Hair

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    Maybe everybody hates Chris, but I don’t hate him at all. Most of us know Chris Rock for the genius that he is, and the way he intelligently and hilariously describes the world around us. So, you can imagine my dismay when I got a call from Charlamagne Tha God, morning host for 100.3 “The Beat” in Philadelphia, who told me that Chris Rock had some choice words for AOL Black Voices and the criticism he has received for his film, “Good Hair.”

    Chris seemed to feel that those claiming that the movie bombed at the box office were incorrect, since the film was only released in a few theaters. He even (accurately) explains that saying his film bombed is like “comparing the movie ‘He Got Game’ to ‘Star Wars’.” Good point. Here are some other issues that Chris brought up and how some of these issues relate to wealth, power and ownership.

    Chris discusses how difficult it is to do shows, commentary and films for a black audience. This is true, given that African American audiences are not as large as non-black and global audiences. In fact, when Ice Cube (my favorite rapper) released “Janky Promoters,” one of the statements made by an executive at the studio was that black movies have almost no global sales market. I am not sure if this was a racist fact or not, but it certainly is a fact.

    Chris’ interview (below) was quite intriguing for a number of reasons:

    1) He was criticized for saying that Oprah looks like a slave in one of her pictures. He says that he wasn’t saying that she looks like a slave (Oprah is one of his wealthy and powerful friends, he wouldn’t be that stupid – I learned firsthand about the backlash you can get from criticizing Oprah); he was saying that the picture was so old that it looked like a slave picture.

    2) Chris seemed incredibly emotional and highly flustered in the interview. I am not sure if this is an act, but I certainly hope it is. Chris Rock is a vet in the game, and I’d be shocked that he would be so sensitive about criticism for his film. Chris sounds like he needs a hug from his mama. If his mama is not available, he can borrow mine.

    3) Chris mentions in film that black men can be portrayed any old way, while people seem very sensitive to any portrayals of black women that are in the least bit critical. I actually agree with Chris when he says that anyone who criticizes his film needs to see it first. Also, being critical of black women is not exactly a popular thing to do – I find it interesting that all the problems of the black family and black relationships mentioned in Essence Magazine tend to be blamed almost entirely on men. The truth is that in a community, it takes two genders to Tango.

    4) Chris is a businessman: He mentioned that he would not release a film about black women if black women didn’t like it. During survey testing, he claims that 99 out of 100 black women like the film. The lesson here is that most products are not released to the public unless they are fully market tested. Also, the size and scope of the African American market makes room for a small number of films. At the same time, it is my hope that Chris Rock and others will take ownership of the film making process to ensure that more movies are made for black audiences, using appropriate images. Anyone who saw the “ghetto girl” in the cinematic flop “Couples Retreat” knows what I’m talking about.

    5) He seems to have a bit of a beef with AOL Black Voices. When asked about critical comments that Chris received in AOL BV, the entertainer went back into “Need-a-hug-from-mama” mode. I have two things to say to Chris: First, AOL Black Voices is PLURAL, implying that there is no one voice, but many who represent a variety of viewpoints. I, for one, think that Chris Rock’s work is outstanding, but I don’t represent all opinions on this site. Secondly, if Chris has a concern with comments that have been made, he should do what he did today – stand up for himself!

    In China, they have a saying, “The fattest pig will always get slaughtered.” Chris my man, you’re the fat pig – so don’t be surprised when the haters come out to turn you into pork chops. But make sure you also remember that everybody doesn’t hate Chris, a lot of people think you’re pretty cool.

    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

     

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  • Goodell expects multiple games in London (AP)

    FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2009, file photo, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell looks on during pre-game festivities before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Goodell expects the league to start playing multiple regular-season games in Britain in the next few years _ an expansion that could lead to putting a franchise in London.

    NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expects the league to start playing multiple regular-season games in Britain in the next few years — an expansion that could lead to putting a franchise in London. Goodell said Friday that "every indicator" shows the British market can support more games and that having a franchise here is of "tremendous interest" to the league.

  • Lee Naijar: ‘Real Housewives’ Mysterious "Big Poppa" Reportedly Selling Atlanta Mansion

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    Real HousewivesThe palatial Atlanta mansion of Lee Najjar, the alleged boyfriend of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star Kim Zolciak, is on the market for $25 million.

    BV Newswire previously reported that Zolciak and her on-again-off-again wealthy boyfriend (pictured left with music/film producer Dallas Austin) had split. The hit Bravo reality series has recently centered on the couple’s relationship despite Najjar being legally married.

    His children, Katelin and Jamen, were featured on the MTV series ‘Teen Cribs’ earlier this year, where they let MTV cameras in on their luxurious digs. Earlier this year, portions of the film ‘Zombieland‘ were reportedly shot on-location at Najjar’s home.

    According to Buckhead.net, the home, which was built as a summer cottage in 1914, sold in 2004 for $2.74 million.

    Rodney Ho, of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper’s Radio and TV Talk blog, reports that the home is being marketed through Christie’s and other high-end magazines to attract a foreign buyer. The nine-bedroom estate, which boasts a movie theater, music studio, beauty salon, game room, basketball court and countless other amenities, would be the first home to sell in the Atlanta secondary market for more than $10 million.

    As for his relationship with Zolciak, although the mother of two told Usmagazine.com that they had split on Oct. 14. She went on to tell other media: “We are on and off…very tricky right now.”

    The ‘Tardy for the Party’ singer has also been recently spotted wearing the engagement ring that the real estate mogul gave her — on her right hand.

    There is no word on whether Najjar and his wife – whose name is coincidentally Kimberly – are still married.

     

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  • Dr. Boyce Money: Lost Your Job? Senators Might Help You

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    The Senate has been mingling with the idea of extending jobless benefits for those who’ve lost their jobs. The problem is that the politicians can’t quite make up their minds. A bill was passed last month in the House of Representatives, but the Senate has still been fighting over the details.

    The black community is in dire need of help from legislators, as our community has been hit the hardest by recent trends in unemployment.
    While overall unemployment is at a staggering 9.8%, African American unemployment is 15.4%. Black male unemployment is as high as 30 – 40% in some urban areas. Jobs are needed and benefits are needed even more. According to the Center for American Progress, the poverty rate for African American children is over 34.7%, while only 10.6% for white children. Economically speaking, black people are usually the state of economic recession.

    Typically, unemployed workers are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits, but that number has been extended twice by Congress. Now, workers are eligible for as many as 79 weeks of benefits. The current compromise proposed by Senator Max Baucus would give an extra 13 weeks of benefits in states hit hardest by unemployment, while those suffering less would get an extra 4 weeks. This approach has been disputed by some members of the Senate, who feel that all Americans should get the same extensions, regardless of where they live.

    The unemployment rate is expected to rise above 10%. Additionally, more than 1/3 of all unemployed Americans have been out of work for more than six months.

    One ray of hope for an economic recovery is the stock market. Anyone with a little extra money to invest was able to earn a 50% return over the past 6 months, which is truly phenomenal. The other bright side of the market rally is that the stock market is a leading indicator of economic growth: that means that when the market improves, the economy is expected to improve. So, while recent unemployment numbers imply that a recovery is going to be slow, the truth is that all is not lost.

    Keep your hope alive. Things are going to get better.

    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

     

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  • Some Of The Easy Teeth Whiteners Available On The Grocery

    The clinical treatments and the good and easy teeth whiteners are accessible in the market place are the most frequent methods employed for making your teeth lighter. But many do not tend to realize the value of natural good and easy teeth whiteners which…

  • Is College a Good Investment During a Recession?

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    I was invited onto “Tell Me More with Michel Martin” to discuss college and whether or not it makes sense to invest in college during an economic downturn such as this one. I have written extensively on the value of going to college, since I argue that education plays a huge part in determining whether you end up being a true player in life or just end up getting played. Black college students must really note the significant impact of attending college, since people of color benefit the most when we get ourselves educated.

    Here are some thoughts regarding whether or not college is a good idea during a recession:

    1) You must decide if college is a necessity or a luxury item for you. If you are a wealthy kid who can rack up $80,000 in debt to major in Philosophy and Theatre, then God bless you. But just make sure you are aware that the major you choose plays a huge role in your ability to manage debt after graduation. This is not a slap at those who choose majors that don’t have a strong job market, it’s just a reminder to make sure you know what you’re stepping into. Personally, I majored in business, because college was not just my path toward educational enlightenment, it was my way to pay the bills when I got older.

    2) Figure out what you hope to get out of college. If you want to simply get a good education and are not worried about the job market very much, then you don’t need an expensive school to do that. Education is what you make of it. I’d rather be a student at a state university who studies 7 hours a day than to be a frat boy at Yale living at the bottom of a beer bottle. The student who studies is going to learn; the one who doesn’t study won’t learn a thing. College is what you make of it. But if your goal is to use the name of your campus to open doors for great job opportunities, then this might justify the cost of an expensive university.

    3) Parents, the debt is not all yours. You are getting ready for retirement, your children are young. Pretty soon, they will be earning more money than you. Does it make sense that you’ll spend your golden years paying student loans for an able-bodied adult? Perhaps it’s time for your children to learn how to take care of you? They will never learn to be financially independent if you don’t teach them. Allowing your child to manage some of his/her student loan debt doesn’t make you into a bad parent. You got them to age 18 in one piece, some would say that you’ve done enough.

    4) Grad school anyone? Some majors require additional education for you to be competitive in that particular market, some do not. Think through this carefully when deciding if you want to make the massive investment of going to graduate school. I believe that an MBA is usually worth the investment, while a masters in Anthropology may not always get you the job you’re seeking. But outcomes can vary depending on the major, and you should do your homework.

    5) Education gives you job security. One thing that many autoworkers learned during the recent economic downturn is that having a good job with little education makes you highly vulnerable to economic flucuations. African Americans were the hardest hit during the recession, and many of us lost our jobs when the auto industry tanked. Even if you earn a lot of money, you should never stop believing that additional education doesn’t have value for you. You don’t want your financial future to be in the hands of someone else.

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    Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College.” To have Dr. Boyce Commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

     

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