Workshops help businesses get more social
SANDPOINT — There is an old proverb: “Give a man a fish and he won’t starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won’t starve for his entire life.”
That’s how the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce feels about helping local businesses. In today’s world, it is easy to rely on consultants and service oriented businesses to assist where you may lack the expertise or time. However, social media is one way business owners can take control of their business and the chamber is ready to help with its social media workshop series.
Social media is extremely helpful for business because it makes it easier for consumers to find a business, increases brand recognition and reaches out to an audience that already “likes” your brand, said Mack Deibel, social media expert for the chamber.
“It creates brand ambassadors, shows you care about your business by being there and being ready to have meaningful conversations with consumers about your brand and their needs and expectations,” Deibel said.
Peer reviews and recommendations are trusted by the majority of consumers and conversations are happening all over the Internet. Business owners should be involved and ready to respond to every positive and negative comment, he added.
The chamber’s workshops were created to help business owners with their social media strategy on every level. These workshops will be 100-percent interactive where participants will be asked to bring their laptop with various materials ready go on it so specific tasks can be accomplished during the workshops. Also, to help the participants get the most out of the workshops, Deibel said they will be kept to a 12-person maximum so personalized help will be achieved.
Scheduled classes are as followed: Introduction to Facebook For Your Business, Intermediate: Facebook For your Business and LinkedIn for Business Professionals and Your Business.
The Facebook introduction classes will be Thursday, May 31, from 8:30-11 a.m. and Friday, June 1, from noon-2:30 p.m. The intermediate Facebook class is scheduled for Thursday, June 7, from 8:30-11 a.m. The LinkedIn class is scheduled for Wednesday, June 20, from 8:30-11 a.m.
Cost of each workshop is $35 for chamber members and $40 for non-chamber members. If one class fills up and you are not able to register, please contact the chamber and more classes will be held until the community’s needs are satisfied.
If there is interest in classes on YouTube, Twitter, Foursquare and Pinterest, contact the chamber so officials know what they should plan for the future.
Information: Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, 263-2161; or online at www.sandpointchamber.com