As part of its ongoing commitment to providing business owners with affordable learning opportunities on practical business skills, the Small Business Development Center of East Hawaii is offering three-class social media workshop this month in Hilo.
The classes are from 9-11 a.m. today and Feb. 15 and 22 at the Hawaii Innovation Center, 117 Kiawe St. Arrive 15 minutes early if not preregistered.
• Today’s first class will focus on social media marketing. Attendees will learn how to create a solid foundation for their business on social media, determine which social media platforms best support your organization’s brand and actions to take to build your social media audience.
• The Feb. 15 class will be an introduction to Facebook advertising. The seminar will guide participants through the basic types of Facebook advertising, including how to promote your business page, boosting a post and driving traffic to your business website. Also learn how to target audience segments, set Facebook advertising campaign goals and how to develop compelling copy and visuals.
• How companies can effectively harness online reviews is the subject of the Feb. 22 class. Business owners (and their employees) will learn how to spot review scammers, how to not respond to reviews, as well as the four types of negative feedback and how to respond accordingly to each type.
Classes will be instructed by Denise Laitinen, a seasoned social media trainer, public speaker, writer and owner of DLC Hawaii Media. Laitinen has taught social media to hundreds of entrepreneurs, business leaders and community volunteers statewide, providing practical, easy to understand steps to those looking to grow their business online.
Preregistration is requested but fees can be paid the day of class. The cost of each class is $25 or $65 for the entire three-part series. For more information, call the Small Business Development Center at 933-0776.
The Hawaii Small Business Development Center is a program of the University of Hawaii at Hilo funded in part through an agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.