23 minute read
SMALL BUSINESS CENTER
The Small Business Center is a provider of education, high-quality/low-cost training, and referrals developed to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses in Pender and New Hanover counties.
The following FREE services are provided:
• Seminars: Targeted to prospective and existing small business owners
• Counseling: Confidential one-on-one business and technology counseling
• Resource Center: Access to the Resource Center is available by appointment and includes internet access, business planning, accounting software, marketing/website videos, and business books
Register online at cfcc.edu/sbc or call us at 910.362.7216
August 2023
Maximizing Efficiency And Customer Satisfaction
This class is in-person. This workshop is designed to help field service professionals improve their efficiency and customer satisfaction. Participants will learn how to boost their service by understanding and learning from others’ past experiences. Through interactive sessions and case studies, attendees will gain valuable insights into best practices for delivering exceptional field service, including how to optimize their workflow, effectively communicate with customers, and protect themselves from losing money. The workshop is ideal for field service technicians and other professionals looking to enhance their skills and take their service business to the next level. With a focus on practical strategies and real-world examples, this workshop will equip attendees with the tools they need to succeed in the competitive field service industry. Participants will receive a certificate of Field Service Excellence upon workshop completion.
Workshop Curriculum
1. Understanding Customer Expectations:
-The importance of meeting customer expectations
-Identifying and managing customer expectations
-Handling complaints and providing personalized service
2. Offering Your Service:
-Understanding the unique value proposition of your business
-Identifying and differentiating your business from competitors
Creating unique service experiences that exceed customer expectations
3. Staying Profitable: Pricing strategies for profitability
Cost control measures to maximize profit margins
Optimizing operational efficiency to reduce costs and improve service quality
Wilmington Campus | 4 hours | Free 8/26/23 Sat 9a – 1p U-529
WEBINAR: TIKTOK MARKETING FOR BEGINNERS
Are you curious about TikTok advertising and how it can help your small business reach a new audience? Join our workshop to learn the basics of TikTok Advertising, including how to create effective video ads, target the right audience, and optimize your campaigns for success. We’ll also provide tips for creating content that resonates with the TikTok community and help you navigate the platform’s advertising policies.
Online | 2 hours | Free 8/30/23 W 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: GETTING A WEBSITE STARTED FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Your most important sales tool is your website. Buyers are vetting you before they talk to a salesperson. In fact, buyers go through 80% of the shopping process before contacting you. Just like your sales staff, your website has to be spot on to create trust and answer the questions they’re asking. Customers want to control their buying experience and the website is where they have that control. In this seminar, you will learn to plan out a website to bring you more business. We’ll discuss planning a site, finding a target customer, appealing to that customer, getting the client to buy, creating engagement, and tips and tricks that we use everyday that you may not be aware of.
Outline of the class:
• Why do you need a website?
• Where do you start when creating a site?
Small Business Center
• What is your highest return on investment?
• How do you appeal to your target client?
• What content needs to be created to appeal to your target?
• How do you appeal to Google?
• Ways to create engagement on your site.
Online | 1 hour | Free 8/31/23 Th 6-7p Online
September 2023
WEBINAR: MESSAGING YOUR BUSINESS: THE FOUNDATION OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Small businesses, non-profits, and startups need strong communications. Coaches tell you to focus on the money first, but after launching more than 200 companies, can attest to the fact that you’re only as strong as the story you tell.
Knowing and focusing on your key message helps prioritize resources and efforts. In turn, it assures consistency in what, how and to whom you communicate.
Most importantly: strong messaging helps your customer know the value you add, and how to buy what you sell.
This hands-on workshop will guide you to develop a clear mission, vision, elevator pitch, and 50-word description. Bonus: your billboard (it’s not what you think!).
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/5/23 W 10-11a Online
WEBINAR: SHORTCUT YOUR CONTENT CREATION: USING CANVA AND CHATGPT TO DRIVE RESULTS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS
Are you looking for a way to shortcut your content creation and attract customers on demand with social media videos? Learn how to use Canva and ChatGPT to create high-quality, engaging videos in record time. We’ll show you how to leverage ChatGPT to generate captions and hashtags that resonate with your target audience and use Canva to design custom graphics that make your videos stand out. With our expert tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create social media videos that drive results and grow your business.
Online | 1.5 hours | Free 9/6/23 W 2-3:30p Online
WEBINAR: SOCIAL MEDIA MADE EASY – 3 PART SERIES: REGISTER FOR EACH SEPARATELY
Part 1: How to Choose the Right Social Media
You have a business and now need to make decisions on where to focus your energy on social media. There are thousands of social media options for businesses to choose from. This lively webinar will narrow your selection down and give you the pros and cons of the most popular based on your business type and niche. We will discuss best practices, posting times, and how to increase engagement.
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/7/23 Th 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: THE JETSONS MEET MARKETING: HOW TO TAKE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS INTO THE FUTURE WITH AI AUTOMATION FOR EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
In this workshop, we will explore how AI can help small businesses create more effective advertising campaigns by automating tasks such as ad creation, targeting, and optimization.
Online | 1.5 hours | Free 9/13/23 W 2-3:30p Online
WEBINAR: SOCIAL MEDIA MADE EASY – 3 PART SERIES: REGISTER FOR EACH SEPARATELY
Part 2: How to Create Content for Your Business
To share online you must create content. Writing your verbal content and pairing it with rich media is how you get people to pay attention. Learn what works best of various social media sites. This lively webinar will discuss using photos, graphics, and videos to drive traffic to your website and increase engagement.
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/14/23 Th 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUSINESS STARTUPS
Part 2: How to Create Content for Your Business
In this seminar business owners will learn the following:
• What is required to legally start a business
• LLC, S and C Corp, non-profits vs sole proprietor
• Franchising from the franchisee and franchisor perspective
• Operating Agreements and why they are important
• Overview of trademarks and copyright law
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/19/23 W 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: LEVERAGING AI-POWERED CHATBOTS TO BOOST YOUR SMALL BUSINESS CONTENT CREATION PLAN FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
Learn how AI-powered chatbots can revolutionize your small business social media content creation plan. Generate content ideas, and engage with your audience effortlessly. Say goodbye to writer’s block while boosting your online presence. We’ll cover the basics of chatbots and share real-life examples of successful small businesses using these new resources.
Online | 1.5 hours | Free 9/20/23 W 2-3:30p Online
WEBINAR: SOCIAL MEDIA MADE EASY – 3 PART SERIES: REGISTER FOR EACH SEPARATELY
Part 3: How to Maximize Social Media for Business
This course is designed to help you put the pieces together. If you have a disjointed strategy or no strategy at all this course will help you to navigate your current marketing plan and enhance it with proven social media strategies. This hands-on workshop will enable attendees with the skills to do the following:
• Find targeted content that they can share with their audience
• Connect all their social media outlet to maximize reach
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/21/23 Th 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: INTRO TO QUICKBOOKS
This introductory class will help you get started with QuickBooks and give you tips and tricks that will help support your accounting process.
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/25/23 M 6-7p Online
MEET CFCC’S SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTOR
Jerry Coleman, Director of CFCC’s Small Business Center, has decades of experience in business and consulting, having owned his own consumer products manufacturing company in Wilmington, NC. Jerry is committed to helping other small business owners succeed. “Starting, managing, and growing a small business can be a daunting task. At CFCC’s Small Business Center, we help entrepreneurs plan and navigate the startup process; getting off to a good, solid start is essential. We really do become a partner and are always available to act as coach and cheerleader for our clients. We will work with them as long as necessary to keep them going and help them achieve their goals and be successful in the long run.”
Jerry earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University, and Master of Business Administration at UNCW. He earned his certificate in Project Management from UNCW and has secured multiple patents. In 2016, Jerry was awarded the US Small Business Administration’s Collaboration and Partnership award for his efforts to support the SBA and its resource partners in developing opportunities for small businesses in the State of North Carolina.
WEBINAR: LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUSINESS STARTUPS
In this seminar business owners will learn the following:
• What is required to legally start a business
• LLC, S and C Corp, non-profits vs sole proprietor
• Franchising from the franchisee and franchisor perspective
• Operating Agreements and why they are important
• Overview of trademarks and copyright law
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/26/23 Tu 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: EMAIL MARKETING QUICK START TUTORIAL WITH CONSTANT CONTACT
Not sure how to get started with your first email campaign? Don’t worry, we’ll take you step-by-step through how to create and send your first email campaign with Constant Contact. By the end of this session business owners know how to create an effective email campaign that looks great on any device and gets your subscribers to take action.
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/27/23 Th 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: REAL ESTATE BASICS FOR INVESTORS
This class will give you an overview of what you need to know to own investment real estate from deed and title to sales and leases. Learn how to negotiate a lease for your business location, when and how to own property for your business location, and 1031 tax free exchanges.
Online | 1 hour | Free 9/28/23 Tu 2-3p Online
Small Business Center
October 2023
WEBINAR: CREATING A NON-PROFIT
Part 1: The Basics and Documentation
In this action-packed seminar, we will begin our discussion with your nonprofit ideas, providing you with a framework for how to develop the concept in terms of its organizational structure, revenue model and the right team to have at your boardroom table. State and federal documentation will be covered.
Online | 1 .5 hours | Free 10/3/23 M 6-7:30p Online
WEBINAR: WEBSITES MADE EASY
Want to design a website, but do not know where to start? Have a website and want to start over? All businesses need an online presence and “Websites Made Easy” will help you create a winning site. This interactive workshop will help business owners do the following:
• Review multiple site options
• Understand the differences in blogs, traditional sites and landing pages
• Create content that uses key words and reinforces SEO
• Analyze good design that you can implement
Online | 1 hour | Free 10/5/23 Th 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: YOUR ARTWORK, YOUR BRAND: LEARN HOW TO BRAND YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST
As an artist, do you struggle to build your brand? Building a brand is challenging for many businesses: learn how to develop brand guidelines, identify your brand to the consumer, and the importance of consistent branding. Build a foundation to promote you, as an artist, to expand your customer base and to build a presence across various platforms.
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/6/23 F 10a-12p
WEBINAR: CREATING A NON-PROFIT
Part 2: Board Development and Engagement
In Part II of the “Creating A Nonprofit” seminar series, we will focus on making certain you have the right team within your organizations. Understand the value off recruiting energetic board members, tools to help you develop your board and how to keep them engaged with your cause once they join.
Topics Covered:
• How to evaluate engagement
• Designing policies and procedures that address key organizational needs i.e. Conflict of Interest, Whistleblower, Document Retention, Fundraising and more
If your organization is ready to meet community needs, this is the session for you.
Online | 1.25 hours | Free 10/10/23 Tu 6-7:15p Online
WEBINAR: MASTERING SEO: BOOST YOUR WEBSITE’S VISIBILITY AND DRIVE ORGANIC TRAFFIC
Discover the secrets of search engine optimization and learn how to optimize your website to rank higher on Google search results. This comprehensive course will cover keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization, technical SEO, and link building strategies. Stay ahead of the competition and drive targeted organic traffic to your website.
Online | 1 hour | Free 10/11/23 W 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: INTRO TO PODCASTING
POP or Power of Podcasting provides an in depth look at the history and extraordinary future of podcasting. This course is for beginners and teaches the basics of an emerging platform. Students can leverage the knowledge and apply to their businesses.
Podcasting can be used to expand any business with proper guidance and tools.
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/12/23 W 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: ARTIST BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
I am sure you have heard of the Business Model Canvas. Do you know there is a BMC specifically designed to help Artists develop a value proposition and structure a business model? The seminar will introduce you to the BMC specifically designed for artists. Whether you are an Author, Painter, Photographer, or selling your crafts at shows – the Artist BMC is a valuable tool to help you build a business model and develop a value proposition.
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/13/23 W 10a-12p Online
WEBINAR: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING SUCCESS: BUILD A POWERFUL ONLINE PRESENCE
Unlock the potential of social media for your business by learning how to craft engaging content, build an audience, and drive conversions. This course covers Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest, helping you develop a cohesive social media strategy that delivers results.
Online | 1 hour | Free 10/18/23 W 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: CREATING YOUR OWN PODCAST
Why start a podcast? How do I start a podcast? How much does it cost? This course offers insight and a behind the scenes perspective on podcasting. Cost, equipment, platforms, and best practices will be taught. Each student will “launch” their own podcast by the end of class!
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/19/23 Th 2-4p Online
Small Business Center
WEBINAR: BUILDING AN ONLINE PORTFOLIO FOR YOUR ART WORK
Part 1
Building an online portfolio can be intimidating: Where do I begin? Which online platform should I use? What is a URL and which one should I purchase? Will an online portfolio help me sell my artwork? These are just a few questions, of many, you may have. This webinar is designed to help you build a foundation for your online portfolio while discussing key components that will increase your online success and return on investment. Topics discussed in Part 1: URLs, basics of an online portfolio, and tips on how to present your work. Towards the end of the webinar, there will be a live demonstration on how to begin building your online portfolio on a Wix.com platform.
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/20/23 F 10a-12p Online
WEBINAR: CREATING A NON-PROFIT
Part 3: The Nuts and Bolts of Grant Writing
In this seminar we will focus on one of the most asked about topics in the nonprofit sector, “grant writing”:
• Where do we find grants for my organization?
• What are the elements of a grant proposal?
• What are the keys to writing a successful grant?
• Why should we spend our time when other nonprofits are also writing grants? These are just a few of the questions you will learn how to address in this session.
Online | 1.25 hours | Free 10/23/23 M 6-7:15p Online
WEBINAR: GOOGLE ADS MASTERY: DRIVE HIGHQUALITY LEADS AND SALES
Learn how to create and optimize effective Google Ads campaigns to reach your target audience, increase brand awareness, and generate more leads and sales. This course covers keyword research, ad creation, bidding strategies, and performance tracking to help you maximize ROI on your advertising budget.
Online | 1 hour | Free 10/25/23 M 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH A PODCAST
Want more eyes (and ears) on your business? A podcast gives you an opportunity to expand your customer reach and grow an audience. Your business is your passion. Your story is your passion. Engaging listeners/ viewers with a podcast can boost your business. This course teaches for profits/non-profits how to utilize multiple podcast platforms and social media to increase traffic to their companies. Step by step guidelines and easy to follow protocols will be discussed to ensure maximum results as you enter the world of podcasting!
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/26/23 Th 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: BUILDING AN ONLINE PORTFOLIO FOR YOUR ART WORK
Part 2
Building an online portfolio can be intimidating: Where do I begin? Which online platform should I use? What is a URL and which one should I purchase? Will an online portfolio help me sell my artwork? These are just a few questions, of many, you may have. This webinar is designed to help you build a foundation for your online portfolio while discussing key components that will increase your online success and return on investment. Topics discussed in Part 2: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google Analytics, and how to incorporate social media with your online portfolio. Towards the end of the webinar, there will be a live demonstration on how to begin building your online portfolio on a Wix. com platform.
Online | 2 hours | Free 10/27/23 F 10a-12p Online
WEBINAR: CREATING A NON-PROFIT
Part 4: Creating an Action Plan
In this workshop, we will discuss the fundamentals of fundraising. Topics will include:
• Types of Fundraising Nonprofits Can Build a Strategy Around
• How to Cultivate and Maintain Relationships with Donors
• Developing a revenue generation plan that works for your nonprofit In this seminar, you will learn the basics of fundraising and how to turn your nonprofit into the revenue generator you can use to serve your community.
Online | 1.25 hours | Free 10/31/23 M 6-7:15p Online
November 2023
WEBINAR: EMAIL MARKETING EXCELLENCE: ENGAGE, NURTURE, AND CONVERT YOUR SUBSCRIBERS
Maximize the power of email marketing to engage your subscribers, nurture relationships, and convert them into loyal customers. This course covers list building, email copywriting, segmentation, automation, and analytics to help you create personalized email campaigns that deliver results.
Online | 1 hour | Free 11/1/23 W 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS FOR YOUR ART BUSINESS
You have a website, online presence, and social media platforms. Are they working together to promote your business or are they working against each other? How are they connected? Learn how online promotions, websites, social media, and online campaigns work together to increase brand awareness.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/3/23 W 10a-12p Online
Small Business Center
WEBINAR: E-COMMERCE SERIES: GROWING YOUR SALES WITH SHOPIFY
In this seminar, we will explore the features of well-known e-commerce host Shopify and compare it to other options for creating an online store. PayPal and other payment gateways will also be discussed as well as shipping and inventory control. By the end of this seminar, you will know all of the features of Shopify and how to set up your online store for success.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/7/23 Tu 10a-12p Online
WEBINAR: CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGY: CREATE CONTENT THAT CONVERTS
Develop a winning content marketing strategy to attract, engage, and convert your target audience. This course teaches you how to create compelling blog posts, infographics, videos, and more, while optimizing your content for SEO and social media to amplify its reach and impact.
Online | 1 hour | Free 11/8/23 W 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: RECORD KEEPING FOR YOUR ART BUSINESS
Learn how to track revenues and expenses, make informed projections, and gain a clearer understanding of your artistic business finances. As an “Artrepreneur” you wear many hats: The creator, advisor, promoter, transporter, and so much more. Record keeping can be daunting; however, with a few basic accounting practices, you can have full creative control while tracking your finances.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/10/23 W 10a-12p Online
WEBINAR: IF DISNEY RAN YOUR BUSINESS
Repeat business and customers is the lifeblood of every business.
Outstanding customer service is the key. This seminar highlights important customer service practices that business owners can take back to implement in their own business. Learn the secrets to create a Disney-like experience, and success culture in your business.
John Formica, an “Ex-Disney Guy”, and leading authority in the Hospitality Service Industry, organizational culture and business growth, is “America’s Best Customer Service Experience Coach.” As a former successful Disney hotel leader, John will share his incredible experience, best practices and proven Disney success strategies to help you create magical experiences for your customers, and keep them coming back for more.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/13/23 M 1-3p Online
WEBINAR: E-COMMERCE SERIES: SELLING PRODUCTS ON AMAZON AND ETSY
We will explore the popular platforms of Amazon and Etsy and how you can sell products on both. Which one is right for you? Come to this seminar and learn how you can start an online e commerce business quickly and work your way to becoming an online entrepreneur.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/14/23 Tu 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: CONVERSION RATE OPTIMIZATION: TURN VISITORS INTO CUSTOMERS
Discover the science of conversion rate optimization and learn how to improve your website’s user experience, design, and copywriting to turn more visitors into customers. This course covers A/B testing, analytics, and best practices for optimizing your website’s conversion funnel.
Online | 1 hour | Free 11/15/23 W 2-3p
SBC CLIENTS SAY IT BEST...
Small Business Center
WEBINAR: EMAIL MARKETING QUICK START TUTORIAL
Not sure how to get started with your first email campaign? Don’t worry, we’ll take you step-by-step through how to create and send your first email campaign with Constant Contact. By the end of this session business owners will know how to create an effective email campaign that looks great on any device and gets your subscribers to take action.
Online | 1 hour | Free 11/16/23 Th 6-7p Online
WEBINAR: SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE FOR YOUR ART BUSINESS
You have a website/portfolio and you have social media, but are they connected? Do they work together or against each other? The connections you make through social media can help boost your website or portfolio! Learn about to make the online portfolio and website connection. Hint... hint... it is more than a software connection!
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/17/23 F 10a-12p
WEBINAR: HOW TO FIND, INTERVIEW AND HIRE MAGICAL PEOPLE!
John Formica, the ex-Disney Guy, will teach you Disney’s secrets about recruiting, interviewing a hiring really great people!
• Are you struggling to find good employees now that the pandemic is winding down?
• Have you ever hired a person who seemed so perfect during the interview but wound up being a bust on the job?
• Are you tired of having a constant revolving door and turnover of average employees in your business?
• Are you frustrated by having to spend so much unproductive time baby-sitting your employees and wish they would be more dependable and take the initiative to get the job done right the first time?
• Would interviewing potential candidates be easier if you knew the most effective questions to ask?
Have you ever wondered the secrets that the Walt Disney World Resort used to hire 75,000 employees? Ever wonder why other top successful companies always seem to have the best people? In today’s challenging job market, where leaders, businesses and employees are asked to do more with less, teams and businesses cannot afford to settle for low performing candidates. Most managers have never been trained and just wing it and hope the process turns out. Yet a leader’s success as well as the customer experience is directly related how successful their people are. Hoping new hires workout is no longer an option.
In this presentation, John will show you how to find and hire the bestsuited candidates today for the job, but more importantly, how to eliminate the candidates you don’t want! Just by following John’s unique tips and strategies, different than the usual non effective hiring methods, you will finally have the right people working for your organization that are more loyal and committed to your values and goals, empowered with the initiative to get the results you want now. That is when the real “Magic” begins in your business.
Attendees will learn:
• 5 Creative ways to find good candidates and never have a lack of great candidates to choose from again.
• 6 tips and secrets behind what really matters when assessing applications and resumes
• How to specifically define just what you are looking for in a great candidate and never settle for anything less
• How to hire and place people to fit roles not just positions (One of Disney’s BIGGEST Secrets)
• Learn specific Interview questions that matter the most in eliminating the people you don’t want
• Learn successful strategies that top attorneys use when asking tough follow up questions during an interview that will identify and eliminate nonperformers from ever joining your team again
• Learn how to incorporate creative ways to conduct and check references
And much more…
“Customers Will Always Remember People Over Product or Service. How Much Money and Loss of Productivity Are The Wrong People in Your Organization Costing You?
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/20/23 M 1-3p Online
Small Business Center
WEBINAR: BUSINESS BUILDER SERIES
Part 1: Writing an Effective Business Plan
An effective business plan is vital to the success of a small business. This class will discuss tools necessary to write a business plan that will help raise capital and serve as a guide for your business. We will discuss reasons to get started in business, what is needed in a good plan, and presentation helps if the plan is used for funding or attracting partners.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/21/23 Tu 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: BUSINESS BUILDER SERIES
Part 2: Finding Your Customer Market research isn’t just for startups; it’s an important ongoing process for every small business. Developing a focused and effective marketing plan requires up-to-date market analysis. Discover the variety of market research tools that will give you critical information about your industry and customers. Get the data you need to test the feasibility of a new business, find the competition and potential customers interested in your proposed product or service.
Online | 2 hours | Free 11/28/23 Tu 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS ON A LIMITED BUDGET
These are the ABCs of how to start a small business combined with winning strategies from low-cost startups. Starting a Small Business on a Limited Budget is easier now than it has ever been. In these challenging times everyone from the government to your local banker is trying to help you succeed.
Online | 1 hour | Free 11/29/23 W 6-7p Online
December 2023
WEBINAR: ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Let’s face it, small business owners still have a difficult time raising capital. For start-ups it is almost impossible, especially from traditional lending sources. This event will bring together traditional and non-traditional lending sources for business owners to meet and discuss how they can meet their capital needs. Join us (representatives
The SBA, SCORE and the SBC) to explore capital access options for small businesses. We will answer these frequently asked questions: What can I use the money for? What if I have questionable credit? What are the loan application requirements? Learn about the many capital funding options including (equity crowdfunding) that are available to small businesses in our area. The panelists will also discuss traditional, alternative, and entrepreneur forms of capital as well as options for women and minority owned businesses.
Online | 2 hours | Free 12/1/23 F 10a-12p Online
WEBINAR: BUSINESS BUILDER SERIES, PART 3: MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE
Marketing for the 21st Century small business is more dynamic and challenging than ever. Discover how to most effectively and efficiently use the many marketing tools available. Gain insights to understand and reach your customer, analyze your industry and business environment and differentiate between branding, advertising, and grassroots marketing techniques. Explore the components of an effective marketing plan in this comprehensive seminar.
Online | 2 hours | Free 12/5/23 Tu 2-4p
WEBINAR: DYNAMITE MARKETING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
There has NEVER been a time at which marketing your small business has been as easy, low-cost and effective. “Dynamite Marketing” will show business owners 50+ ways to grab new customers, reinforce relationships with current customers and pique the interest of potential customers you don’t even know about! In “Dynamite Marketing” you’ll learn:
• The three best 1-to-1 marketing strategies
• How to easily create a simple, winning marketing plan
• How to target customers who need your product or service
• How to stretch $100 into a marketing success
• How to get free exposure in big media
Let “Dynamite Marketing” help you create a great, low-cost marketing plan for your business.
Online | 1 hour | Free 12/6/23 W 6-7p Online
WEBINAR: GETTING A WEBSITE STARTED FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Your most important sales tool is your website. Buyers are vetting you before they talk to a salesperson.
In fact, buyers go through 80% of the shopping process before contacting you. Just like your sales staff, your website has to be spot on to create trust and answer the questions they’re asking. Customers want to control their buying experience and the website is where they have that control. In this seminar you will learn to plan out a website to bring you more business. We’ll discuss planning a site, finding a target customer, appealing to that customer, getting the client to buy, creating engagement, and tips and tricks that we use everyday that you may not be aware of.
Outline of the class:
• Why do you need a website?
• Where do you start when creating a site?
• What is your highest return on investment?
• How do you appeal to your target client?
• What content needs to be created to appeal to your target?
• How do you appeal to Google?
• Ways to create engagement on your site.
Online | 1 hour | Free 12/7/23 Th 2-3p Online
WEBINAR: BUSINESS BUILDER SERIES
Part 4: Using Sales Funnels to Ignite Growth in Your Business
A sales funnel is a framework that businesses use to turn prospects into customers, while using systems throughout the process to attract and keep them. From growing a downtown marketplace to scaling a multi-million dollar business, a well-developed plan can keep you moving forward in good and bad times. This seminar shows participants why and how to develop systems to give your business the edge you need to succeed.
Online | 2 hours | Free 12/12/23 Tu 2-4p Online
WEBINAR: FINANCING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
How to find the funds to create your business. If you have a great idea the money is out there somewhere. From coins-in-the-couch to loans, grants and Go Fund Me pages, Financing Your Small Business shows business owners the rainbow of funding sources.
Online | 1 hour | Free 12/13/23 W 6-7p Online
Classes are subject to change. Check here for up-to-date course offerings!
Small Business Center
WEBINAR: EMAIL MARKETING QUICK START TUTORIAL
Not sure how to get started with your first email campaign? Don’t worry, we’ll take you step-by-step through how to create and send your first email campaign with Constant Contact. By the end of this session business owners will know how to create an effective email campaign that looks great on any device and gets your subscribers to take action.
Online | 1 hour | Free 12/14/23 W 1-2p Online
WEBINAR: HOW TO GET YOUR STORY TOLD IN THE MEDIA
Social media has helped level the playing field of getting your story out in the public spotlight. However, that’s only if it goes viral. Earned media, which is coverage by local broadcast and print media, continues to be a valuable, quicker, and in some instances, a more effective way to get your news to the public. Scott Saxton, a 25-year veteran of news media, will share how to get your story told in local media. By the end of this interactive workshop, you will have a news release ready to bring your business positive, earned, media attention and tips on how to conduct yourself during an interview.
Online | 1 hour | Free 12/20/23 W 3-4p Online
WEBINAR: MESSAGING YOUR BUSINESS: THE FOUNDATION OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Small businesses, non-profits and startups are in need of strong communications. Coaches tell you to focus on the money first, but after launching more than 200 companies can attest to the fact that you’re only as strong as the story you tell.
Knowing and focusing on your key message helps prioritize resources and efforts. In turn, it assures consistency in what, how and to whom you communicate.
Most importantly: strong messaging helps your customer know the value you add, and how to buy what you sell.
This hands-on workshop will guide you to develop a clear mission, vision, elevator pitch, and 50 word description. Bonus: your billboard (it’s not what you think!).
Online | 1 hour | Free 12/21/23 Th 2-3p Online
