Creating an online presence is more than just a webpage. “Small business owners are busy, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all of the options available online, especially in social media,” said Dr. Roberto Gallardo, associate Extension professor with the Center for Technology Outreach. “We try to lay the framework and give an overall view of an online presence strategy, including email marketing, blogging, Facebook and cloud services.”
Topics covered in the lunch hour training are why small businesses need an online presence, e-commerce, search engine optimization, and the influences of social media. The seminar is designed to assist small business owners with understanding and implementing a competitive online presence with his or her business helping to grow and expand the entrepreneurial spirit.
Through a partnership with the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), the Small Business Online Presence Strategies (SBOPS) webinar was delivered to nearly150 small business owners in just one session. Partnerships with local Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Associations, and Community Agencies are the key to creating opportunities for small business owners to participate in SBOPS.
Small Business Online Presence Strategies is supported by the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Technology Outreach and the Extension Broadband Education and Adoption Team (e-BEAT). e-BEAT is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which supports six regional Extension broadband coordinators to work with area residents to develop local solutions and learn the skills needed to get their neighborhoods online.
For more information on Small Business Online Presence Strategies (SBOPS) or e-BEAT please contact Dr. Roberto Gallardo, Ph.D. Phone: 662-325-3226, Email: robertog@ext.msstate.edu, or msucares.com/ebeat/index.html. Dr. Gallardo welcomes the opportunity to present SBOPS to interested community groups via webinar or face-to-face presentations.