On a daily basis, via e-mail, phone, social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, or face-to-face at conferences, in restaurants and even in the streets, we editors face the eternal question: What do I have to do to get into Black Enterprise?
Loyal B.E. readers know that this is far from an impossible dream. While we occasionally feature famous business people and industries (such as sports and entertainment) driven by celebrities, we’ve never been a celebrity-driven media company. You have a far better chance of being featured in the magazine if you are a viable small business owner, a successful executive or a typical black family, than you do if you’re a recording artist, actor or pro athlete.
All you have to do is look at the issues of B.E. published in 2009 to see this. Yeah, we had President Barack Obama on our March cover. (What can we say? He flies off the newsstand.) And our February cover featured several of the "100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America"; admittedly, not an easy club to get into. However, the covers of the January, April and May issues feature young business owners, a family and a young investor—people just like you. And the vast majority of the people inside the magazine are also like you or like people you know. Why not you?
Starting this week, I will begin giving you some answers to that question, in a regular blog called “How to Get Into B.E.” I’ll start out focusing on entrepreneurs, but in the weeks and months to come, I’ll cover what we are looking for when it comes to stories ranging from career profiles to the families featured in our monthly Wealth for Life features. I’ll be bringing you insights straight from the editors of our magazine and website, as well as the producers of our television shows and national networking events. I’ll cover what we look for in a “Slice of Life” segment for Our World with Black Enterprise, or what we have in mind for our “Entrepreneur of the Week” segment of the Black Enterprise Business Report. I’ll also provide insight into how we select speakers and panelists for events such as next month’s 2009 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference.
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Thanks for this wonderful tip on how to get into BE. I will follow future post on facebook and anywhere else I see it. I will also spread the word.
Keep Rising
ShaChena Gibbs
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Hey Alfred, good start to a great series. Looking forward to reading future entries. A lot of entrepreneurs don't understand the etiquette, professionalism, and tactics when dealing with the media of any form. So kudos to you and the editors for tackling this important subject.
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Hi Alfred,
Great post. I'm looking forward to the series, getting into magazines has always been a mystery to me. Last year I told someone I'll be featured in B.E. one day, so I'll be taking notes!
Thanks for sharing.
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My man,
Thanks for the valuable insight. I'll get there a lot sooner than most think.
Thanks and be well...
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Alfred,
I loved this blog. People need to know they really CAN get into the pages of BLACK ENTERPRISE...even on the cover.
Bea
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Alfred,
I also follow BE on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin.
Nice post! BE is my favorite mag; at least every other edition has a feature on someone that I know personally, or have been acquainted with. So yes people, you can "get into Black Enterprise."
See you next month in Detroit!
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Great post! I love Black Enterprise Magazine. I just finished a marketing book called A2Z Inspirational Marketing and it is in the production phase. I'm waiting on a release date from the publisher and was thinking a few weeks ago how can I get into Black Enterprise Magazine! Thanks for the information!
SD Harris.,MBA,BBA
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Alfred Edmond, Jr. Reply:
May 6th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
You just gave me another idea for a future post: What entrepreneurs and others should do to have their book mentioned, reviewed or excerpted in Black Enterprise Magazine or at BlackEnterprise.com. Thanks!
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Hello, Alfred. Thank you for your very timely blog, and for your future articles on this subject. I am featured in the May 2009 issue (On The Move). Not only am I thrilled to have been granted the opportunity to showcase my talents and accomplishments, but I am honored and humbled to be featured in this prominent business vehicle amongst the multitude of those whom I have admired throughout my career. I love Black Enterprise, and as it continues to speak positively to its constituents, I know that it loves us all right back!
Regards,
Maureen S. Greene James
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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To Mr. Alfred Edmond jr,
Thank you for the info on how to get into Black enterprise magazine i guess grannie was right dream Bigger AND BIGGER and don't stop.
THANK YOU.
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love the site to.
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I've heard of BE a few times but never really checked into it now. I was just talking to a friend about the problems I've been running into recently with starting my business. I'm 16 and live in the state of Missouri and to corporate a business here you have to be at least 18 years old. She referred me to BE and I ended up here. This blog gave me some great ideas on marketing for when I do get into business soon. Great site, great organization.
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