Small Business Technology Development Center to co-host seminars March 30-31

March 25, 2010 -- The Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) along with the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Jonesboro Association will offer “Facebook Business Marketing: Set Your Facebook Page to Engage Customers” Tuesday, March 30, from 6-9 pm at the ASU Technical Center in Jonesboro. Also, a seminar entitled “Business Financing Options: How to Find Capital to Start or Expand Your Business” is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31, from 1-4 p.m. in the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) conference room. It is hosted by the SBTDC and the BACC.

The Facebook pages for business seminar is a basic course to help small business owners evaluate how Facebook and other social media can help their marketing efforts.  This three-hour seminar will be taught by Herb Lawrence, ASU SBTDC Center Director.

“Facebook has become a great marketing tool for small businesses,“ said Lawrence.  “Over 325 million people are currently on Facebook and over 300,000 small businesses have Facebook pages that allow them to find, communicate with, and develop profitable relationships with customers. The question is, are you on Facebook to interact with them?” 

This course will show attendees how this powerful social media network can help develop a professional Facebook page that will allow them to establish relationships with others on Facebook who want to know more about their businesses.  Topics will include discussions of privacy issues, how to build a professional page, find “fans,” use basic Facebook applications, and more.  Attendees should have some basic computer knowledge and should have a Facebook profile already set up to get the most out of the session.  Seating is limited to 19 participants.

Registration is $35 per person ($25 for chamber and Downtown Jonesboro Association members and $20 for ASU faculty, staff and students).   For more information or to register, contact the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center at (870) 972-3517, e-mail asusbtdc@astate.edu, register online at http://asbtdc.ualr.edu/training/jonesboro.asp or “fan” the ASU SBTDC on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/asu.sbtdc. 

The seminar is co-sponsored by Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jonesboro Association, East Arkansas Planning & Development District, First Security Bank, Liberty Bank of Arkansas and Simmons First Bank.
            The seminar, “Business Financing Options: How to Find Capital to Start or Expand Your Business” will also be conducted by Lawrence.  The seminar is designed to show attendees how to use a variety of options in finding financing for their venture.

“Getting the financing you need is never an easy task for a small business,” said Lawrence. “In today’s challenging economic times it can be even more difficult.  But, funding can be found if the entrepreneur knows where to look.” 

At the seminar, Lawrence will discuss sources of capital for small businesses, alternative and participating lenders, how to develop a funding request, information about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s guaranty loan programs, stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the truth about grants and more.

Registration is $35 per person ($25 for chamber members).  Seating is limited to 18 attendees.  For more information or to register for these seminars, contact the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center at (870) 972-3517, e-mail asusbtdc@astate.edu, register on line at http://asbtdc.ualr.edu/training/jonesboro.asp or “fan” the ASU SBTDC on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/asu.sbtdc.

These seminars are co-sponsored by Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Bank, First Community Bank, First National Banking Company, First Southern Bank and Liberty Bank of Arkansas.

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