In today's business environment, you need to make sure that you're using all of the latest technologies in getting your marketing message out to the masses.  

Most businesses know the importance of building a list and using email to stay top of mind with your customers and prospects, but many don't realize how they can use mobile marketing to get even better results.

There are many types of businesses that can benefit from having an immediate way to interact with their customers.  

Mobile marketing is a method that allows businesses to get instantaneous marketing results.  

Sending mass text messages is one of the most effective ways for businesses to reach their list consistently..  

Imagine a restaurant that may be experiencing a slow day.  They can simply send out a digital coupon via text message with a special discount.  

Since it's been documented that about 97% of consumers view/open their text messages, you can see how effective this may be in driving revenue for that restaurant during slow periods.  

That's just one simple way that mobile marketing can be used.

Black business owners already have many challenges when trying to start, grow, and maintain businesses.  

It just makes sense for them to use such a cost effective and easy way to reach their customers on a consistent basis.

Watch The Video To Learn About Mobile Marketing

Learn more about mobile marketing from Text Alertz.  Click Here 

Blog Post
Stephen Wicks, Founder
BlackBusinessList.Com

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It's always amazing to me when I meet business people who have already started their business but have not yet developed a logo or tagline.  

In my opinion, this is one of the first things that you should do before actually getting your business off and running.

Logos and taglines help communicate your message to the masses. 

Isn't that what you want?  Don't you want your potential clients and customers to think of you first?  Of course it is.  So get to it and get your brain working on a great logo/tagline.  

You may find that getting help from a branding or marketing consultant would be beneficial.  They are educated on what colors, shapes, and words can influence your audience the most.  Using professionals will probably yield you the best results, but not always.  A strong business owner who knows who they are and who knows who their market audience is can come up with great concepts all on their own.

After you get a concept together, you can employ a graphic designer to help put it all together for you.  There are also branding or design companies that can do all of your marketing materials together in one package.  Do the research and make sure you start to differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Blog Post
Stephen Wicks, Founder
BlackBusinessList.Com
Stephen Wicks Internet Development Company

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Having a mission statement is a must for a business that wants to survive and thrive.  It's even more important for Black business owners to understand this.  Statistically speaking, Black business owners have many more hurdles and obstacles to overcome than their non-minority competitors.  

Not having a mission statement can be the nail in the coffin of a newly created Black business.

Why is it so important?  
Well, if a business doesn't have a road map or guidelines, then they will not be able to chart it's course and know when it's off-track.  Business owners have to make important decisions on a daily basis and having a set of core values and principles can help the business owner make the right decision.  If a decision doesn't help you accomplish your main goal or objective, then it's probably not going to be the right decision.

Here are the 4 main reasons that I feel a Black business can't survive without a mission statement.

1. A Business Without A Road Map Doesn't Know When It's Getting Off-Track - In order for a business owner to make a good decision, he has to know where he's going and why.  (Daily decisions can make or break a business.)
   
   
2. A Mission Statement Helps Communicate Your Brand To Your Potential Clients or Customers - What is your business about?  Why should anyone choose your business over the next?  These questions can be answered by communicating your mission statement on your website, business cards, commercials, etc.
   
   
3. Having A Mission Statement Keeps Your Business Activities Consistent - It's very easy for your clients or customers to become distracted.  They are bombarded by advertisements from your competitors.  If you confuse them as to who you are, you can make it easier for them to decide to do business with other companies whose messaging is clear and consistent. 
   
   
4. It Can Help Your Employees Make Better Decisions When Interacting With Your Custormers and Vendors - Your employees can also make or break your business.  Having clear values can help them make better decisions when interacting with your clients.  If they can clearly see what's important to your business they will be able to help communicate to others during the course of the business day.

Well, there you have it.  That's my opinion on why Black business owners can't afford to not have a mission statement.  It's very important and shouldn't be taken lightly.  It can make or break your entrepreneurial endeavors.

What's our Mission Statement?
I'm so glad you asked!  Our mission statement is as follows:

That mission statement keeps me on track.  It helps me make good decisions.  I hope and pray that we will be allowed to continue that mission for many year to come.

P.S. Please feel free to give your opinions on this article and share it with your business contacts.

Blog Post
Stephen Wicks, CEO, Founder
BlackBusinessList.Com

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WASHINGTON, DC - On Tuesday, August 4, the President will host the first-ever White House Demo Day, which will celebrate the important role entrepreneurship plays in America's economy. Unlike a private-sector Demo Day, where entrepreneurs and startups pitch their ideas to funders, these innovators from around the country will "demo" their individual stories. 

The Demo Day event will showcase why we need to give more entrepreneurs from all walks of life a chance to turn their ideas into indispensable products and services, and will include new announcements from The National Venture Capital Association, Kapor Capital, Opportunity Hub and other organizations expressing their commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship.  

 After the President gives his remarks at approximately 3:40 PM ET, Opportunity Hub Cofounder & CEO will expound on its multi-year inclusive entrepreneurship initiative on Periscope. Download the Periscope app and follow us at @OHUBATL.

 "Fifteen years ago, I was probably the only black co-founder of a high growth, scalable, tech startup in Atlanta that had successfully raised 7 figure seed and series A rounds from angels and VC's. Today, I can count them all on one hand. This is tragic and must change," says Rodney Sampson, Founder & CEO, Opportunity Hub. "Today, Opportunity Hub (OHUB) in solidarity with President Obama's first every White House Demo Day is excited to announce a multi-year initiative specifically designed to address the talent, knowledge and early funding gaps impacting underrepresented communities as they strive to navigate their way through the innovation economy."

 Opportunity Hub (OHUB), based in Atlanta, is launching a new inclusive innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment initiative in collaboration with The Iron Yard, CodeU, Troy Carter's AF Square and Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Center. The goal of this multi-year initiative is to increase the number of investable minority, high-growth technology and technology-enabled startups and early-stage companies in the United States, and includes: $1 million in full and partial code-school scholarships, allowing over 100 minority students to attend The Iron Yard; financing for up to 10,000 students via a partnership with CodeU; $1 million in full and partial scholarships to OHUB's Pre-Accelerator, which will provide a pipeline for over 100 diverse entrepreneurs to over 70 accelerators for pre-seed funding; and more angel investors of color via the Angel Investing Certificate Program with Troy Carter's AF Square and Morehouse College Entrepreneurship Center. This builds on OHUB's past track record of housing and pipelining more than 100 inclusive startups that have gone on to raise over $5 million in seed capital. 

 WHEN : Tuesday, August 4, 1:30 PM - 3:40 PM ET

 WHERE: White House East Room 

 WEBCAST: This event will be webcast live at >www.whitehouse.gov/live<. Opportunity Hub will be streaming the event from its OHUB@Giant campus located at 426 Marietta Street, Suite 100A, Atlanta, GA 30313 USA. Follow on social media @Whitehouse @WhitehouseOSTP #WHDemoDay @OHUBATL


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