The Brand New Mommy, Brand New ME Blog

Lisa Price of Carol’s Daughter Shares Brand Building Secrets

Administrator — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:30:28 +0000

Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter

So, how do A-list celebrities and corporations secure that ultimate public relations campaign that has them on everyone’s lips?

First, let’s talk about what public relations entails: fostering public goodwill and creating a favorable opinion for a product, person, or thing. Basically, it attracts consumer attention to a product and is generally a well planned campaign. Public relations is not about creating a one-shot hype campaign, planning a special event, and hosting a party for the media. That’s called publicity.

Lisa Price of the popular and multimillion-selling natural haircare company Carol’s Daughter certainly secures A-list PR now, however, that was not always the case. So what did she do?

She created both short-term and long-term plans, hired top-notch professionals – strategic marketing and brand expert Steve Stoute, along with celebrity endorsers including Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J. Blige — to promote her brand and business.

Most burgeoning stars and business owners hire a publicist, which can range from $2,500 to $10,000 a month. It is possible to do it yourself, and as the PR expert, I’m going to show you how.

These strategies will not only get you started; they will empower you to win and standout from the competition:

1. Define your message: Take the time to write and research what you want to convey, identify your target audience, your strengths, niche, and specify what you are offering that is different from your competition. It’s not always about being the best – it’s about being consistent and giving the same experience each time.

2. Create a logo: A logo also called the identity is the heart of your company and brand. The identity becomes the face for your brand and it must reflect the essence of what your company represents. While you might think that you can create a logo yourself, consider that a company can spend millions of dollars to develop just one logo. I suggest using a professional. Visit graphic design organization sites such as AIGA and Graphic Artists Guild.

3. Disseminate your message appropriately: What tools will you use to spread your message (press release, biography, blog, etc.)? If you want to get the most out of your budget, start with a press release and a biography (highlights of your success), a well-written biography can range from $500 – $3000. Also, begin to blog about your expertise and offer tips to garner media attention.

4. Monthly press release: This is generally used to announce something new with your company – it can be a product, award, new hire or new client. Press releases typically range from $250-$1000. Black News and National Newspaper Association each cost about $150 and will send out your press release to over 50,000 consumers. NNPA will send your press release to all the national black newspapers (over 270), and it will also send you a PDF of each story that is written about you or your product).

Having an interesting and compelling press release is a sure-fire way to guarantee coverage. My soft cover and e-Book, You Want Caviar But Have Money For Chitlins: A Smart Do-It-Yourself PR Guide For Those A Budget, provides step-by-step tips along with a diagram to write an A-List release.

5. Website: This is your ultimate marketing tool to running a profitable business with an international presence. You will need to hire a Web designer or a Web hosting company to create the site. Visit http://www.smallbusiness.yahoo.com and http://www.networksolutions.com.

‘Housewife’ Kandi Burruss Talks: Sex is Good for Business

Administrator — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:08:07 +0000

Kandi Burruss -Smart and Strategic

Kandi Burruss has her business mojo working; entrepreneur, singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, mom and ultimately your favorite housewife.

She is the ultimate strategic ‘brand’ new mommy – understanding that having a plan and capitalizing on an opportunity is the best way to reinvent a personal brand while following your passion and listening to what the market needs.

Do moms want and enjoy sex? Absolutely.

VIBE cover

Many brands discount the ‘sexual’ element as it relates to moms/motherhood – we are usually depicted overwhelmed, out of balance, depressed and screaming for me-time. What about moms getting their groove on and enjoying some Bedroom Kandi?

Kandi Burruss says, “I started an online show dealing with relationships and what women want and realized that we want great sex and often times we might need a little help.”

Kandi Burruss Tips to goal making:

1) Know your pleasure. If you love talking about it, then find a way to market it.
2) Rock your comfort zone and stop being safe in your goals/marketing.
3) Have a short and long-term plan.
4) Moms want sex also. Think about yourself and your needs and desires when marketing a product/company.
5) Strategy. Do your research and create strategic alliances to take your brand to the next level.
6) Capitalize on the moment. When you are hot and have multiple things happening it’s time to go for the GOLD.

Let me know what you will do to come out of comfort zone?

How to Be a Better Blogger: Follow the Sesame Street Tips

Administrator — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:58:38 +0000

Lucinda Cross' popular book - Corporate Mom Drop Outs

Being a great blogger is a skill that can be deliberately cultivated and improved. If you want to attract more people to your blog, have more people comment, repost and retweet, have people get more from your blog and finally make more money from your blog, then read these tips carefully and see which ones you can apply to your blog this week.

Post-The #1 skill you could have when it comes to finding great post ideas is to be on the lookout for post ideas constantly. Anytime anything significant happens to you, ask yourself: Can my audience learn from this? How can I use this experience to deliver value to my readers?

Blog Comments-Read through related websites and their your readers’ comments. What are common problems, experiences, concerns, etc that they have in common?

Add Personality-Stilted and stale “how to” personalities seldom get much followers online. People don’t just come for your content; they come because they like you.

Too Wordy-Instead of writing a great 300 word post, try writing out the big bullet point ideas instead. This allows you to be straight to the point. People read blogs like a conversation so don’t do all the talking, add some bullets.

If you apply these four principles – Finding truly great ideas for blog posts, writing with personality you’ll find out who are the people in your neighborhood.

Lucinda Cross is the CEO of Corporate Mom Dropouts; listen to Lucinda on The Brand New Mommy Radio on give real tips on creating balance.

Willow Smith: Tears up and talks mommy-time

Administrator — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:07:19 +0000

Jada and Willow Smith

Willow Smith is authentic as it gets for a young tween coping with hormones, success, mommy-time and fame.

In the latest episode of Red Table Talk – Willow breaks down, expresses why she needs her mommy and the importance of communication. Wow!

This episode really gets to core of the struggle for many busy moms (including self) on why we sacrifice our careers for a moment to really “show up for our babies.”

The sad truth is that no matter how much you give — it’s really about COMMUNICATING to our children about choices and the (sad) reality that moms are not SUPER HUMANS.

Watch the full episode and see a young Willow crying out for mommy-time. Deepness!

How do you balance your career/job while showing up for your children?

For Certain I Know This: Beauty is Simple

Administrator — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:43:28 +0000

Beauty is real simple

As I prepare to say goodbye to grandma and spend time with family in Florida – all I can say is thank you for loving me each day.

If you get a moment … please take a moment to read some of the post, comment and spread the word about The Brand New Mommy!

Enjoy the rest of the week!

Can we really talk? I mean about infertility and surrogacy?

Administrator — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:30:45 +0000

Meet Carla Lewis-Long, TV Exec & Brand New Mommy Talking About Infertility, Surrogacy & Babies

Let’s face it we have options as it relates to motherhood and surrogacy is on the rise.

Hear Carla Lewis-Long, VP, Distribution for Si TV, talk openly about her battle with infertility and why surrogacy was the best option. She will discuss why many Black women are considering various scenarios to fulfill the motherhood dream. Lewis-Long recently penned her first children’s book, “Why I’m So Special: A Book About Surrogacy (Author House). Visit http://www.surrogacystory.posterous.com.

Carla Lewis-Long juggles multiple careers as a television executive, entrepreneur, wife, and mom. Her fertility issues led her to Creative Family Connections, which helped to find a wonderful surrogate to carry her baby. This children’s book is a story for all parents who used a surrogate to share with their young children, to let them know just how special they are. This story is ultimately about hope, perseverance, and lots of love.

How Many Kids Is Enough … ‘Folks’ getting the “procedure?”

Administrator — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:55:08 +0000

Kindred the Family Soul

How many kids do you have? I have two (12 and 4) and they keep me running and let’s not forget the expense.

If you had six children would you suggest to your man/partner/hubby to get a Vasectomy?

My favorite soulful family, Kindred The Family Soul, talks REAL life decisions.

Watch the Dantzler family manage family, career, bills, life, performance, branding, and a vasectomy.

Hmmm… Let me know your thoughts?

Jada Pinkett Smith: Mothers Must Re-Message!

Administrator — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:55:54 +0000

Jada, Daughter and Momma Tre' Beautiful!

Jada Pinkett Smith put the truth on the red table with her no holds barred talk on life, love, drugs, pregnancy, fame and messaging.

As we strive to get to better with OUR mission, brand, passion and love it was refreshing to hear Jada say, “Mothers must re-message to get to happy. You can’t give it all to others and be happy.”

Watch the complete video here of episode 1 and let me know your thoughts on how you will re-message?

Happy Monday, BMM!

(FULL VIDEO)

Red Table Talks: Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow Smith Talk Love, Family

Butterflies: God’s Grace and Love

Administrator — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:32:01 +0000

Butterflies surrounded me all weekend

BNM,

This past Friday, I lost my Grandma Lurlene after having her in my life for 88 years – she was my best friend and first love.

God gave me ALL of her until she turned 84 and the Alzheimer’s took over and she became a shell of her once majestic presence.

Lurlene Garrick, my first love

I got that funny feeling on Friday that something was going to happen — got out of bed and saw her photo and the feeling became stronger, then the call came later in the day. Grandma went home to Jehovah.

Although, I am mourning the loss of my Grandma, she is finally at peace. All the pain she endured the past four years for all her ailments and not to mention the Alzheimer’s she had to be released. Thank you, God!

God sent me a swarm of butterflies to watch and guide me all weekend; my Grandma’s comfort was around me as I walked in the park, sat in my backyard, worked in the garden, played with my children, hugs from my hubby, there was nothing but beautiful butterflies letting me know that my Grandma will be guiding me as she always did.

Let me just say, God is amazing!

Thank you for all the love, messages, calls and flowers. I love you my Facebook family!! Mocha Moms Queens: I can’t express to you all the love and grace you adorned this past weekend. Love and more love to you, Gwen, Rita, Khadija, Shannon, Lynnette, Marsha, Lolet and the entire chapter.

Coping With Loss Of A Child: Why Mother’s Day is Everyday!

Administrator — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:30:54 +0000

Mithie Mitchell

BNM, never never take for granted that you will have another Mother’s Day with your baby. Each day is a moment to share the blessing from God — not just during the month of May.

Read the powerful motivational words from a mom and hold your baby extra tight today. Happy Mother’s Moment to all!

How do you re-invent, much less find the strength to get up and go on, after your son is fighting for life after being hurt by a drunk driver, and that driver happens to be his father?

Meet Joyce Adejumo. Her three-year old son Fred Leon “Mitchie” Mitchell was paralyzed below the waist as a result of his father driving drunk and crashing while returning him home after a weekend visitation. At that moment, everything stood still for Adejumo, who is divorced from Mitchie’s father.

“Re-inventing is getting and picking up after everything has fallen apart. You declare to self that you will not fail, this won’t kill me and a determination to succeed with faith and God’s grace will ease the pain each day,” says Adejumo.

How do you re-invent? By doing what you are called to do: be a catalyst for change and empower others in a similar situation. Re-invention can be a slow process, which requires a daily commitment to find your true authentic voice and ultimately act upon.

Together Mitchie and Adejumo used this life-altering event as a way to educate the public, policymakers, and DWI offenders about the consequences of drunk driving and its debilitating impact on society. Their heart-wrenching story has made a tremendous impact on people, as well as a profound impact on public policy as it relates to DWI in Texas.

Adejumo started Mitchie’s Fine Black Art and Gift Gallery in Austin, Texas, out of her house as a means of income when her son was injured, an outlet for Mitchie to use his hands and draw again, and to pursue her passion for art collectibles and books.

Mitchie died in 2007 as a result of complications from the 1989 crash.

“After months of struggling with the death of my only child, and the lawsuit with my ex-husband, I was at the end of my rope and broke down, released my grip on the pain, and surrendered to God,” says Adejumo. “As God filled my emptiness and dried my tears, these prayers began flowing out of me on a daily basis – and I made a decision to capture them on paper by creating “My Daily Prayers: Spiritual Words of Wisdom Volume I,” knowing there were others going through life’s storm and needed assurance that God is by their side regardless.”

All proceeds from the book goes to The Mitchie Mitchell Foundation, which provides academic scholarships to high schools students who are survivors of accidents caused by drunk drivers and immediate family members of people injured or killed by drunk drivers.