Social Media and Inspiring Small Business: Your Business must have a Plan of Action!

Social Media and Inspiring Small Business: Your Business must have a Plan of Action!: In every business, you must have a plan of action. No business plan, you plan to fail. Is your business in a slump going no place, no...

Get on Board with Google+ for Business

Have you started Google + business page. Now is the time. Yea Google+ may be kind of dry and techie oriented, but it is still part of Social Media Networking. I have a personal page and a business page.  Many of my friends and associates I know are still on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, however I have embraced the new found frontier of Google+.

There are some name brand companies on Google+ for Business such as CBS News, Dell, Anderson Cooper 360, ABC World News, Pepsi, as well as many Google+ pages such as Youtube, Google Chrome, Blogger and many more. There are many Google products 

Follow directions for  Google+ for Business. You can develop your own circle  or adapt someone elses  It will direct you how to begin your Google+ Business page. Visit my Google+ Business Page. 

Once you develop you Google+ Business page you need to find a means to promote it. You can promote your business page by adding a +1 and other social links and icons related to Google. Check out Social Sharing with Google for more information.

Comments on CNN's “Black in America: The New Promised Land - Silicon Valley

“Black in America: The New Promised Land - Silicon Valley,” aired November 13, 2011 on CNN with host, Soledad O'Brien. Soledad's excellent report showcased the issues that Blacks have with understanding the technical and interactive environment of the technological world, including Silicon Valley.  All issues discussed by the eight black entrepreneurs was a given.  In order to get head in any area you have to immerse yourself in it, eat, sleep, drink and talk then activate. You must have a passion for what you believe in and do. And be willing to give up certain comforts such as sleep, money and sometimes friends.

In addition, you also have to work smart. You have to make connections with people who you may never consider connecting with.  Blacks (continuing the term that was used) have a difficult time trusting anyone, including their own black people. This is nothing new. Historically, they have been burned, because they trusted.  However in this day and age where you have to work as a group to accomplish a goal, you have to trust.  Personally, when I attend photography conventions, they are usually filled with my white counterparts who often seem to find it easy to gather in groups and share. Sometimes, I try to connect with a group, but it usually does not last long. I usually chalk it up to, they are used to seeing and interacting with one another, at different conventions and workshops, so they have established a bond. Unfortunately, the few blacks that do attend, usually just watch one another, maybe a, “Hello,” then move on. If we do converse it is not continued outside the convention, we move on.

The question is, “How do we move beyond the points discussed?” It is only through doing can we move on, integrate and achieve.  This is why I started this Blog, not only for Blacks, but for everyone who may need to be inspired to continue achieving their goals in their business and understand the important of Social Media to level the playing field. What do you think?

More information on, “Black in America: The New Promised Land - Silicon Valley”

Denise Bennerson PhD, Social Media Business Consultant

Bennerson conducts workshops on Social Media Networking and Photography
Visit website: Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery
Information: Links to Virgin Islands Information

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Other interesting commentaries:
CNN's Black in America: Soledad O'Brien in Conversation with Diversity@Google

How to Capture Your Computer Screen

Often times, as a business owner, you want to capture the screen of your computer which contains information you can use. The question is how to capture the screen?  There are many programs out there that you can use, but I found one simple way:

• On your computer keys press fn and print scrn (F11) together.
• Then go to Microsoft Word, Power Point page or Adobe Photoshop,
• Go to edit and click paste or control and v
• You’re done! 

In Adobe Photoshop you have to develop a New Layer and paste it in there. Crop, if necessary
This is a sample screen capture.  Dr. Denise Bennerson, Social Media Business Consultant and Photographer 

“Social Media – The Good, The Bad and Photography” Workshop

The workshop “Social Media – The Good, The Bad and Photography” will be held in Frederiksted, St. Croix Virgin Islands. It is a great introduction to the world of Social Media on the Internet. We will cover the language and acronyms of Social Media language. We will discuss the various social medias: Google+, Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook, tagging, hangouts, all aspects of social media. 

If you are in business, you need to know that many St. Croix Virgin Islands businesses is beginning to “Tweet” or on Facebook. If you have children, you need to know just as much as they do. Also learn how Social Media affects our children.

Attendance fee $20.00 Register by phone 772-2386. “Social Media – The Good, The Bad and Photography workshop, Saturday, October 29, 2011 presentation starts 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Don’t get left behind. Workshop held at Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery, 16A Queen St. Frederiksted, St. Croix VI Denise Bennerson PhD, Presenter

Your Business must have a Plan of Action!

In every business, you must have a plan of action. 

No business plan, you plan to fail. Is your business in a slump going no place, not moving, sitting still, then you need a plan of action. If something is moving it will continue to move, if something is still it remains still until somebody or something does the pushing. How ever, their push may not be a push you want.

Wake up and do something. Advertising may not only be the answer; it is a given. It may mean getting out in your community and interacting with an activity. Volunteer your services to help and meet others, as well as, showcasing your work. Starting a Blog to talk about your activities or contributing to the knowledge of others; is another idea.

When you generate activities the ball starts rolling.  With new ideas and more people realize that you are still around. I sometimes volunteer to photograph nonprofit organizations, or conduct a workshop for teachers on Photography or Social Media; that is just a few of my activities. It may be, as small as, promoting someone else through Facebook or Twitter. The idea you develop may sound crazy to others, but it is your thinking outside the box. A plan is a plan, is a plan.

For example, “My Space” was around for years, before “Facebook,” but I never signed up for it. It was not appealing to me as business person. But somehow, thinking outside of the box, “Facebook,” revolutionized the same concept and is now the largest active social media network on planet earth. CNN, Oprah and many other businesses large and small use “Facebook” like it is the hottest thing since slice bread; Twitter and Google+ is not too far behind. It is all about thinking outside the box.  We will talk more about thinking outside the box later.

Consequently, I leave you with this message by Yogananda, “Your success in life does not altogether depend on ability and training; it also depends on your determination to grasp opportunities that are presented to you.” Ref: Book, “The Law of Success” by Paramahansa Yogananda

Dr. Denise Bennerson is a business owner and consultant. She believes in helping other business owners to achieve. She often gives advice that is helpful to ignite that spark that is needed. Her websites http://www.homelandcollections.com and http://www.stcroixcaribbeanweddings.com

Google Chrome Web Browser – FAST!

While you are working within the various Social Media environments speed of surfing from one website or blog to the next on the internet is important. I was introduced to Google Chrome web browser about six months ago and I have not looked back. As a business person waiting for a web site to upload is a waste of time. I used use Internet Explorer and Firefox, but Google Chrome’s speed is amazing. I visited a friend the other day and her browser was running extremely slow and I was getting frustrated. I replaced her internet browser with Google Chrome and she was very impressed.  She now uses that as her browser of choice. So if you are using another browser give Google Chrome a chance and I am sure you will be impressed. Once you down load Google Chrome visit our Website to try out the speed of the browser

Google Chrome http://www.google.com/chrome
Our Website      http://www.homelandcollections.com

"Social Media - The Good, The Bad and Photography" Workshop

If you are a member of AFT STX,  as well as, a business person you may want to attend this workshop.  Dr. Denise Bennerson will be conducting two workshops on "Social Media - The Good, The Bad and Photography" for the AFT St. Croix Federation of Teachers - TEACH Conference on Friday, October 14, 2011 at St. Croix Education Complex & Technical Center in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.  This workshop will arm teacher with understanding the Social Media (SM) environment and prepare them to inform your students.


Social Media is a part of our lives, which your students can not escape; from texting on the phone to Facebook and tweeting on the internet. Photographs are used to enhance the SM environment. Learn about copyrights laws, the language, acronyms and how you can use Social Media to enhance your teaching assignments. Educators may discover the next great Facebook developer in your school! She will be teaching the workshop at the first session 10:00 am with a repeat at the second workshop 11:35 am.  Dr. Denise Bennerson, Social Media Business Consultant and Photographer

Social Media is Your Business

I have been in business most of my life selling various products from Avon in high school to a present day business owner of a photography and gallery studio. Like all businesses you have to market and advertise. Marketing and advertisement can be a very costly venture. However, Social media and marketing on the internet have proven to be interesting as a small business owner. As a matter of fact, Social Media is the driving force of networking, marketing and advertising today.

I was reluctant to getting involved in the Social Media scene on the internet, because I thought it was a waste of time and not necessarily beneficial to me. But I kept hearing on the news that businesses should get involved. So I did. My plan is to share with you information and techniques that I have learned throughout the years. I hope the information presented will help you understand as a business owner how to utilize the Social Media environment on the internet and further the development of your business.

Some links:      Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery
                        St. Croix Caribbean Weddings Magazine
Follow Us:       Twitter Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery
                        Twitter St. Croix Caribbean Weddings
                        Facebook Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery
                        Facebook St. Croix Caribbean Weddings