Business success in this new age depends upon effective social media marketing. At the same time, the world of Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter is still mysterious to many entrepreneurs and managers.
The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is taking the mystery out of social media marketing through its new Social Media Marketing Task Force. This committee formed to educate and develop the best social media practices for the chamber and its members. Its mission has rapidly expanded to offer workshops and seminars to the region’s business community at large.
The task force is responding with a series of hands-on programs open to the Midcoast community. Whether you’re part of an established business or you’re making plans for your first start-up, you’ll find solutions to your online marketing questions at these workshops.
The first was presented on Sept. 19 to a capacity group at Priority Group Business Center in Topsham. In this workshop, Jim Bouchard talked about how he built his national speaking brand through social media marketing. Blogging expert Jennifer Barbour then gave a dynamic presentation on the best practices for managing your social media efforts.
Future programs include another presentation by Barbour on blogging for effective marketing. “How to Write, Grow and Sustain an Effective Blog” is Oct. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Priority Group Business Center in Topsham.
Other upcoming topics include the effective use of web video marketing, social media etiquette, cooperative social media marketing and the development and use of apps.
Most Social Media Marketing Task Force events are free to Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber members and open to the public. For more information, visit Midcoast- Maine.com or download the new chamber app by visiting your app store, the chamber’s website, or www.mychamberapp.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Tonight is Chamber After Hours sponsored by the Highlands at the Holden Frost House, Elm Street, Topsham. Come anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. and make use of the networking power of the SMMC. Enjoy refreshments, tour model apartments and homes and get your flu shot provided by CHANS. This event is free to attend.
“Investing in Your Future” is the theme for the Women’s Networking Luncheon on Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Taste of Maine Restaurant in Woolwich. The women from Legacy Investments will provide the basics of what you need to know to make sure your future is financially secure. $18 per person. Reservations are required, so call 725-8797 or reserve online by visiting www.midcoastmaine.com.
Do you know a student who is the next Bill Gates? If so Young Entrepreneurs Academy is for them. Students generate business ideas, develop business plans, pitch to an investor panel and sell their products and services at a trade show. For more information and an application form, contact yea@midcoastmaine.com.
The Business Success Seminar (formerly Mid Day Chambers) is Oct. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. The presenter is Bob Bremm, AdviCoach. The seminars are free of charge.
Sunnybrook Village hosts the Oct. 24 Chamber After Hours in its “Village Square” from 5 to 7 p.m. Make use of the networking power of the SMMC. Enjoy treats at a variety of tasty food stations, live music, door prize drawings and tours of Sunnybrook Village. This event is free to attend. Register online at www.midcoastmaine.com.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: East Ridge Tile has joined the chamber and so has the Tavern at Brunswick Station in downtown Brunswick. To discover more about these businesses, go to www.midcoastmaine.com.
The chamber proudly serves 720 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.
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