SBDC helps attendees supercharge their social media marketing

Scott Turner
In Motion Staff Writer

In the rapidly developing world of online marketing, proper utilization of social media to promote business is key. The Small Business Development center in conjunction with the Service Core Of Retired Executives gives all those interested a chance to learn some of the more intricate details of the process with their presentation, “Supercharging Your Facebook Marketing.”

Donna Loader, a Master Certified Marketing Consultant with Constant Contact, spoke on the importance of social media marketing in an increasingly online world.

“If you’re in business, and you’re not technologically conscious, you may not be in business very long. You can only reach so many people on a street corner, and with social media you can reach a much larger audience.” Loader said.

Loader provided several real world examples of how social media can bring information to a huge group of people and how important and well known it can become. She also brought up how it can circumvent traditional publishing venues for those looking to publish content.

“Up until recently, those looking to publish anything had to get in touch with someone who worked for wherever they wanted to have their work published, and then they would have to go through many different levels to only maybe be able to submit their work. Now, websites actively can seek writers and content creators through job postings and employment linking sites.” Loader said.

Loader then broke down the differences between the five major social media sites that are utilized for business marketing; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest. She pointed out the different means by which each of the sites operates and how best to utilize their strengths. For example, Twitter content being high volume but low value versus LinkedIn’s low amount of high value content means that they work in different ways with regards to content, but have their own strengths.

Each attendee received a packet of helpful information, and received a copy of the Power Point presentation to peruse at their leisure and use as a reference source. Included in the presentation were worksheets that would help those who had not created and properly utilized the sites mentioned above. The presentation concluded with a drawing for several door prizes, including a wireless signal booster, three styluses for use with touch-screen electronics, and a coffee mug.

Eddie Trevino, a SCORE representative at the event, remarked on the importance of the changing shift in marketing trends.

“The digital age has grown so quickly you can look around and see that it has become an amazing evolution of communication. We offer these workshops to help small businesses, which Volusia County is largely dependent on.” Trevino said.

Supercharging Your Facebook Marketing was held on the Daytona Beach campus. Events continue through November with “Understanding the Financial Requirements of a Successful Business” being offered on November 6 and “How to Use Video Marketing to Attract New Customers” on November 13. Both seminars will be held from 6-8 p.m. in Bergengren Hall, Building 110 Room 112.