Social media can be a powerful tool for startups, businesses and brands to grow if implemented and utilized appropriately. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection’s (BACP) Small Business Center (SBC) is offering a new social media workshop series to help entrepreneurs and business owners find out how to utilize social media strategies.
The free workshops begin in July and are scheduled monthly through December in Room 805 City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St. Chicago. These workshops will be held on Fridays. The first workshop was kicked off today, titled “Which Social Media Platforms are Right for My Business?” Other workshop topics will focus on Instagram, Blogging and Social Advertising.
“This social media series is designed to build off of the enormously successful one last year and provide even more helpful advice for Chicago’s businesses and entrepreneurs,” BACP Commissioner Maria Guerra Lapacek said. “Attendees will be able to walk away with information to implement immediately. This series is part of the City of Chicago’s commitment to providing businesses with the tools they need to succeed.”
BUSINESS EDUCATION WORKSHOP - SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES
Presented by: Business Bragger, Inc.
8/12 - The Art of Instagram
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
In this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to become a skillful Instagram-er. We will provide a general overview of the platform, the purpose and meaning of hashtags and examples of what to post to increase your company's presence. We'll show you what it takes to build a strategy and following of engaged users for your company.
9/16 - Social Advertising
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
The do's, the don’ts and the in-between. Leverage Facebook advertising for your business to get noticed. Whether you are looking to increase your following or drive targeted leads, we'll show you the latest updates from Facebook Advertising with a general overview of how to set Ads that work for you. Come learn the latest from Facebook including their rollout of Lead Conversion Ads and much more!
10/21 - What Do I Blog About?
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
We've all heard about the blogging craze that took the internet by storm! Is your company blogging? Find out why you should be and how it can increase your SEO rankings as well as your interaction on social media platforms. If you've got writers block, this interactive workshop will help you get past what to say and teach you how to say it, online. Learn SEO tactics to incorporate in your company blogs as well as how to create topics that will make a lasting impression.
11/18 - Art of the Social Sale
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Selling on social media requires a unique technique and strategy. Learn how to craft the right message without being "in-your-face" salesy, stay relevant, beat the competition and build your brand across multiple social media platforms with strategies that are built for any company online. We will also teach the do's and don’ts on each platform when it comes to directly selling, so your accounts don't get "unapproved" by the social media channel.
12/9 – Hashtagging; What's a #Hashtag Anyway?
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Hashtags are a great way to find and communicate with your target audience, if you are using them correctly. In this interactive workshop learn how to find the right hashtags for your business and the etiquette on each platform for effectively using hashtags to expand your brand, engage in the right conversations and track the virality of your social media campaign. Come learn how many to use and when to use them as you create compelling messages that build a strong community for your company.
The SBC hosts free business workshops every Wednesday and Friday in Room 805 at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago. Workshops are conducted by city officials, BACP’s partner organizations, and experts in the industry. To register for a workshop or for more information, call (312) 744-2086 or email [email protected]. Learn more about BACP programs and events by visiting www.cityofchicago.org/SBC.
Alicja Otap
