I swear, every time I even breathe the words “social” and “media” too closely together, I get favorites and retweets and shares from all kind of “gurus”, “mavens”, and “specialists” and their smiling avatars…and today I noticed that those faces are never Black.
I’m sorry but that makes no sense.
I know we do digital marketing…I know plenty of Black people in person and online who do this kind of work either as a side job or with full-time aspirations. What amazes me is that culturally we dominate social media (in both good and bad ways), but I’m starting to think we’re painfully disconnected from the income streams around it. Of course, Black people being separated from the benefits of our labor is nothing new, but in the age of social AND Internet hustle AND personal branding…I’d just expect to see more…action.
Do Black digital marketers not search social for people talking about digital marketing? Is it not an effective way to get clients? Am I just running into White people doing White business culture stuff? How do Black digital marketers get business? I know how you should, but how do you?
It would have been wonderful if this article had more meat.
Hi Patrivia!
In what sense? This is an investigatory post that is intended to serve as a foundation to something deeper. If you’re a digital marketer, I’d love to hear about your experiences, needs, etc.
Megan
I completely agree! It feels like the digital marketing realm is dominated by the white face. All the big marketing influencers and gurus and even a lot of the companies that look interesting to work for are mainly white. Where are WE?
Right! And I KNOW we’re out here…it seems like we’re just quiet.
Look at the untapped opportunity in this market! There’s practically no black digital marketer making any noise on the net, yet there is a HUGE potential market of black people needing / wanting to engage with resources that reflect our culture. I hope to partner with other black marketers who are ready to crack open a whole new industry of services for the black community. If that’s you… Get in touch!
It’s wild. I think Black digital marketers have a serious uphill battle, but a lot to gain if they take it on.
I have done extensive research into the digital and affiliate marketing field, no black faces. I am ready to invest time, energy and finances into training .I aspire to enhance my heritage and culture, but I haven’t found any mentors offering education. If your out there with legitimate training and a desire to inspire and grown your team count me in.
When I Google Black male digital marketers, then clicked over to images, I did not see many Black males.
I am open to seeing thoughts on how to improve this.
If you look at the current landscape, it’s not a surprise. We forget, we don’t have any ownership in Google, Facebook, etc. Is it possible that “black entrepreneurs/black digital marketing” is a term that’s actually blacklisted by the Facebook/Google algorithm? Think about it…
While I know there are hundreds of black digital marketers out there, the exposure just isn’t there. However, that works to an advantage. Peep game…
Dr. Robert Smith, multi-billionaire…hired a “white guy” to represent his company. Very, very smart. It was his money, it was his company, but he knew he wouldn’t get the same traction if his face were on the front of the company.
In many of the same ways, black businesses owners need to get away from the “black business” moniker, and mix it up. Get involved in some of the bigger masterminds and networking events where you are the ONLY one. Then, take notes. Learn. Apply and profit.
All the while, stack the money. Then, go in as a collective corporation, and buy some of these companies. Buy the businesses and/or corporate real estate in your area.
The only way things are going to change is if we have a say as an owner, not just a “user”. I’m on a path to create a newsletter full of strategies just like this. It’s time for black entrepreneurs to build our own “Wakandas of wealth” in our own neighborhoods…by owning the stuff.
Hi everyone! I hope that everyone on this thread is would visit blackmarketers.org which is the website for Black Marketers Association of America as many Black Marketers are slowly coming together via Slack and LinkedIn groups in this organization! To see many ways to join and get involved, visit blackmarketers.org/membership.