(Sponsored Post)
The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, along with the Rainier Chamber of Commerce and the City of Seattle’s Community Cornerstones project, are sponsoring a series of two hour workshops for small businesses in the Rainier Valley area throughout the summer. The workshops will focus on best practices in the areas of social media, financing, marketing and negotiations. The first, on Social Media Marketing, will take place from 6:00- 8:00pm tonight at the Rainier Beach Community Center.
Monday, June 8 Social Media Marketing
6:00-8:00 pm Rainier Beach CC ⧫ 8825 Rainier Ave S
This workshop is for you if you are interested in learning how you can use social media in a powerful way. This two-hour workshop will help you create a solid social media strategy and the best practices to maximize your use of social media. We will discuss the best, most effective ways to use social media to increase customer engagement, how to create powerful content, and identify the right social media channels for your business. You will leave with a social media plan that aligns with your business brand and mission.
Thursday, June 18 Strengthening Your Marketing Plan
6:00-8:00 pm Rainier Beach CC ⧫ 8825 Rainier Ave S
What business owner isn’t interested in getting more customers or clients? In this two-hour workshop, you will have the opportunity to give your marketing plan a tune-up. You will identify your ideal customer, determine what makes your business unique and sets you apart from your competitors, and refine your business brand. Business owners will leave with a refreshed marketing plan that can be used in their day-to-day marketing efforts.
Thursday, July 16 How to find 100 New Customers
6:00-8:00 pm The 2100 Building ⧫ 2100 24th Ave S
You’ve been running business as usual, but you want to figure out a way to get more customers. You’ve developed a marketing plan, but you’re not sure how to put it into action. In this two-hour workshop, business owners will explore powerful marketing methods than can reach their target market, identify low-cost/low-time marketing methods that can be easily implemented, and leave with a marketing calendar.
Tuesday, July 28 Creating Systems for Your Small Business
6:00-8:00 pm The 2100 Building ⧫ 2100 24th Ave S
As a small business owner, it can be challenging to keep everything organized. In this two-hour workshop, we will show you some simple strategies to help you with day-to-day operations of your small business, including bookkeeping and recordkeeping, customer management, and time management/goal setting. Business owners will leave with a template for creating a simple, small business operations plan.
Monday, August 10 Negotiating Your Commercial Lease
6:00-8:00 pm Rainier CC ⧫ 4600 38th Ave S
When you get serious about renting an available business space, you will likely be presented with a commercial lease prepared by the landlord or the landlord’s lawyer. As you read the lease, keep these points in mind: (1) the terms almost always favor the landlord, and (2) with a little effort you can almost always negotiate significant improvements to the terms. The session will give you good pointers on how to approach this negotiation process and give you more confidence in obtaining favorable terms.
Monday, August 24 Find Cash for Your Business
6:00-8:00 pm Rainier CC ⧫ 4600 38th Ave S
Get realistic about your financing options and learn what lenders are looking for. Hear about traditional and alternative forms of financing, and find out where to go when the bank says “no.” This session brings business owners and lenders together for a frank discussion on business options, next steps, and expectations for both parties involved.
light snacks served ❖ no childcare provided
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