Marketing strategist Mahdi Woodard is helping Black entrepreneurs harness their marketing power. His mission follows nearly 10 years of experience in corporate marketing. Ultimately, it was a nudge from a mentor that opened up his mind to the possibility of venturing further into the marketing sector on his own terms. “He said, ‘If you got the financial chops to do corporate finance, investment banking, you’ll thrive in marketing. Because it’s not just the creative things, you are the person that’s running the business. You need to have that analytical rigor and that creative muscle,'” Woodard recalled the advice on the “Black Money Green Tech” podcast hosted by Will Lucas. The branding specialist also recognized he had become a trusted resource for many who were looking for advice, which he later recognized as consulting. By placing a calculated bet on his skills, he forged his path as a brand strategist under his own company, Mahdi Woodard, Inc. In that same breath, he is...

Do you have a friend or family member with a signature style, an often used saying, or a dish that’s requested for every holiday meal? Just reading that question likely brought back fond memories of that person. Memories you’ll forever associate with them because their style, catch phrase, or grandma’s signature mac & cheese recipe has become part of their personal brand. In marketing, the job is to build a similar feeling between people and our brand. People should have an affinity for products and services and for their experiences doing business with specific organizations. But building a brand people know and trust isn’t easy. As the world accelerated into a more digital space, people have grown weary of being marketed at, with random social media ads that aren’t relevant or meaningful to them. They also won’t tolerate disconnected experiences or those that don’t feel authentic. Marketers need to turn marketing upside down. Instead of marketing to and at people, brands should be...

Successful entrepreneurs come from all unique walks of life, but being innately driven is a story they all share. While growing up in the bustling neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens, it was destined for Shante Bacon to acquire her entrepreneurial spirit. Her relentless ambition set ablaze what would become an eight-year career at Def Jam.  

For many professionals navigating creative spaces, it can seem difficult to find your own lane in such a saturated market. But for Browned 2 Perfection (B2P) founder Junae Brown, being her own boss was always a part of her master plan to dominate the marketing industry. Brown — a Harlem native whose been dubbed by her peers as the “Beyoncé of Marketing” — knew early on in her life that she always had a knack for marketing and event planning. Coming from a strong-spirited entrepreneurial family, Brown tells AfroTech that seeing so many people around her take charge of their own lives inspired her to want to do the same. Being the planner of her friend groups and family was a natural talent for Brown, and after serving as the President of Student Activities at her alma mater — Five Towns College — she realized that she had great potential to succeed in the marketing industry. “I really love being able to take something from point A to point Z,” she tells us. “Most people that I...

Are you having trouble getting conversions with your marketing emails? Not to worry, because there are ways you can boost profits with some great email marketing tactics. It’s all about the strategy. Once your email hooks a reader in, then you’ve got yourself a potential customer. The question is, how do you get people hooked? Find out below. 1. PERSONALIZE YOUR EMAILS No one likes generic email greetings that says things like, “Dear Valued Customer.” That’s boring and shows that your brand doesn’t care enough to get to know your customers. Using that type of opening will only increase the chances of readers quickly deleting your email. In all of your emails, make sure you’re using the subscriber’s first name in the greeting. This simple change can make a huge difference in making your customers feel valued. You can also personalize your email s by sending subscribers “happy birthday” messages, recommending products similar to the ones they’ve already purchased, or using customer...

Black-owned businesses have had a trying time this year and many are looking to rebuild in the midst of the global pandemic. In an effort to help those who need assistance getting more eyes on their brands, marketing expert Tyshan Edwards — founder and CEO of brand and marketing agency 24Media — has vowed to focus on global expansion for Black businesses. According to Black Business, Edwards — who has 17 years of branding experience — has just relaunched his company as 24 Brandhouse . 24 Brandhouse’s new rebrand comes with a renewed goal to grow its client portfolio into a global marketplace and focus on helping Black entrepreneurs elevate their businesses into worldwide brands over the next three years. 24Media — originally founded in 2006 by Edwards and his cousin Jermol Edwards — saw a major lack of brand identity and digital savviness for local businesses in their community. They then set out to help these struggling businesses thrive. “24 Brandhouse was launched to help brands,...

Did you know email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to engage your customers and grow your profits?   In fact, according to HubSpot , email converts $38 for every $1 invested, creating a 3800% ROI. In business, that’s an incredible return on investment and one that you can leverage as you cement your marketing strategy for 2021.   Additionally, 80% of business professionals believe that email improves customer retention.   In other words, email marketing keeps your customers coming back to you!   With that said, what are the best email marketing tips you can employ for the upcoming year? What trends should you be paying attention to and implementing in your digital marketing?   Here are three top practices we believe you should consider for your email marketing in 2021. #1 Improve Your Open Rates with Better Subject Lines Your subject lines are important. It’s the first thing your subscriber sees and determines whether or not they’ll open your email.   Remember, if...

Influencer marketing is a huge business, and for some talented social media gurus, it’s their main source of income. However, with the recent coronavirus pandemic causing a domino effect of economic and social issues, this lucrative marketing method is taking a major hit. According to Business Insider , brand integrations and campaigns are coming to a screeching halt. The U.S. recently enforced a European travel ban to help stop the spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. It’s a new strategy that directly affects Instagram travel bloggers. “I think a lot of people in the travel industry are holding their breath,” said travel blogger Oneika Raymond. “Companies are reluctant to take on anything new and therefore that is impacting the income of creators.” Paid trips and brand deals with luggage companies are postponed due to the severity of the deadly virus. “We aren’t wanting to travel much as we don’t want to set a bad example and be worsening the issue by thinking it’s OK to...