Extension will focus on effective social media strategies during the free online town halls for small businesses the latter part of this month, on Feb. 17 for English speakers, and Feb. 24 for Spanish speakers. In addition to experts from Extension and the Small Business Administration, Nicole Taylor Sharp, owner of Lev Social will be a special guest on the panel.
Sharp is a strategic marketing specialist who has excelled as an entrepreneur, broadcaster, social media influencer and community leader. She has experience and a passion for all aspects of business entrepreneurship. She will share social media strategies and provide insight on transitioning a business to operating more online, and less in-person.
“Our businesses are really soaking in any information we can give them on social media, digital marketing and conducting their sales online,” said Buddy Borden, economic development specialist with Extension’s Business Development Program. “It’s partly just because of changes brought about by technology and today’s business culture. But of course, there’s also COVID, which has forced us all to do more of our daily activities online, and has made it so that many businesses can’t stay afloat if they don’t take at least some of their business online.”
In addition to the online town halls, Extension will also offer free webinars, an English-language session focusing on taxes and different business structures will be on Feb. 19. There will be two Spanish-language webinars, one on Feb. 26, focusing on Facebook business basics, and the other on Feb. 27, focusing on the Canvas Model, including how to identify, attract and retain customers.
Extension has been offering a series of online town halls and webinars for small businesses, “Coping With COVID-19,” since April 2020, to help entrepreneurs and businesses plan strategically, adapt and succeed. Details on sessions for the next two weeks are as follows:
The town hall, “Effective Social Media Strategies,” is at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17, for English speakers; and at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, for Spanish speakers. Panelists include:
- From Lev Social – Nicole Taylor Sharp, strategic marketing specialist
- From the Small Business Administration – Saul Ramos, deputy district director (English-languages session); and Alfredo Cedeño, outreach/marketing specialist (Spanish-language session)
- From Extension – Reyna Mendez and Juan Salas, business development instructors; and Mike Bindrup, research associate
The English-language webinar, “Business Entities and Taxes,” is Friday, Feb. 19, at 9 a.m. Salas will discuss:
- How to start a business or legal entity in ΒιΆΉΣ³»
- The different tax structures at the federal level
- The advantages and disadvantages of tax rates
- The importance of deductible income and expenses
The Spanish-language webinar, “Facebook Business Basics” will be held Friday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m. Mendez will discuss:
- Creating your Facebook business page
- Exploring Facebook business basic settings
- Insight analysis
- The Facebook ad center – advantages and disadvantages of paid advertising
- Strategic tips to grow your fan page community
The Spanish-language webinar, “The Canvas Model: How to Deliver Value to Customers” will be held Saturday, Feb, 27, at 10 a.m. Mendez and Salas will discuss:
- Identifying your customer segments
- Creating and developing an efficient value proposition for your customers
- How to build your customer relationships: attracting and retaining them
- How to reach your customers
Both the town halls and the webinars usually run about an hour. To register:
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Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event. For more information, go to the Extension Business Development Program website. There are also other resources at the website to assist businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, email Borden.
