SCORE Suburban Programs Offer Assistance to Business People
Continuing its efforts to offer quality programs to entrepreneurs and business owners, the Chicago SCORE chapter offers a variety of speakers and venues in the northwest suburbs and other areas. These programs aim to help small business owners and potential entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Abundant programs are throughout the year. All of these are open to the public.
The next seminars begin on Wednesday, April 6, SCORE volunteer Michael Yublosky will discuss "LinkedIn 201: Action Steps to Build Your Brand and Expand Your Network," at Highland Park Public Library, located at 494 Laurel Avenue in Highland Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. During this session, which serves as a follow-up to the LinkedIn introductory seminar, Yublosky will provide a brief review of how LinkedIn can help small businesses followed by an in-depth look at some immediate action steps to build a more professional profile. During this in-depth workshop, he will also cover how and why to expand one's network.
Also on Wednesday, April 6, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce will host "Creating An Effective Introductory Elevator Speech: Be Prepared for Opportunities!" led by Ronnis Oher, the owner of LifeMapsTM. Oher will assist participants describe key points about their businesses so they can more successfully network and meet with others using a succinct description of what they do. Those attending will learn to craft a 15 to 20 second introduction as well as tips on how to effectively expand on their comments when time and circumstances permit. The session will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce is located at 1401 Oakton Street in Des Plaines.
SCORE volunteer David Beasley will lead a seminar called "Launching Your Business Website," at the Niles Public Library on Thursday, April 14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This internet workshop is for business owners who want to venture out onto the web for the first time or for those who want to create a more effective presence. He will cover the key concepts and concerns faced by business owners as well as the importance of social media. The library is located at 6960 W. Oakton Street in Niles.
On Tuesday, April 19, Michael Yublosky will talk about "Small Business Website Marketing and SEO Checklist for New Site Launches and Existing Site Improvements" from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce. The most effective business marketing tool for small business may be their website. Yublosky will show participants how to identify and use the available tools most effectively to develop insights and create or improve this valuable tool for small businesses. The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce is located at 1401 Oakton Street in Des Plaines. The fee for this program is $20 for members and $35 for guests.
On Wednesday, April 27, Norbert Barszczewski from Constant Contact will offer "Email Marketing: A Practical Training and Tutorial for Beginners and Intermediates," at the Barrington Area Library, located at 505 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This session, including a demonstration, will provide participants with the resource necessary to create an email campaign and tips on creating a great newsletter as well as key aspects on how to set up a professional email marketing campaign.
On Monday, May 2, Norbert Barszczewski will again discuss "Email Marketing: Practical Training and Tutorial for Beginners and Intermediates," at the Warren Newport Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This session, including a demonstration, will provide participants with the resource necessary to create an email campaign and tips on creating a great newsletter as well as key aspects on how to set up a professional email marketing campaign. The library is located at 224 O'Plaine Road in Gurnee.
Smart at the Start Principal Andy Nathan will cover "Facebook 101: The Small Business Beginner's Guide to Marketing," on Thursday, May 5, at the Niles Public Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Acknowledging that many people are already on Facebook talking to friends and family, this session will show how business owners can use it benefit their bottom lines. Nathan will cover some of the best strategies and tools, including how to set up a profile, a fan page and create a Facebook ad. The Niles Library is located at 6960 W. Oakton Street in Niles.
Andy Nathan, principal at Smart at the Start will also provide insights into "Blogging -- Is it Right for your Small Business?" on Thursday, June 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Barrington Area Library, located at 505 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington. Since consumers have an insatiable need for content and the internet continually grows at a record pace, one of the most reliable means of providing information is to blog. Participants will learn how to build a blog that will bring in business, the largest challenge faced by most small businesses, and how blogging builds authority and traffic to the company's website.
On Wednesday, May 18, SCORE volunteer Arnie Goldberg will offer advice on "Funding Alternatives and How They Affect Your Small Business," at the Barrington Area Library from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Goldberg will cover options and tax consequences for raising money for working capital, equipment acquisitions and growth opportunities. He will also discuss types of debt financing and sources; leases vs. loans and how to work with bankers; equity as a debt alternative; finding investment partners, equity funds, angel investors and cloud funding. This library is located at 505 N. Northwest Highway in Barrington.
SCORE volunteer Michael Yublosky will present "Grow Your Small Business through LinkedIn Networking and Marketing" at the Niles Public Library, located at 6960 W Oakton Street in Niles, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19. As the Web's largest business networking platform, LinkedIn is no longer merely a tool for job searches but can be used for marketing business to business and business to consumer small businesses. Yublosky will offer an overview of LinkedIn, its top benefits and its most effective tools as well as offer immediate action steps that can be taken to build a brand, expand a network, increase visibility and find more qualified prospects.
Current Internet marketing techniques depend heavily on influencing clients and prospects by creating and sharing relevant information. Learn some of the whys and how to develop and present information to solve client problems and answer questions instead of using incessant advertising. SCORE volunteer Michael Yublosky will discuss these topics and additional information at a session called "Content Marketing 101: Today's Key to Getting Found on the Internet and Google," from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, located at
1401 Oakton Street in Des Plaines, on Tuesday, June 7.
SCORE volunteer Michael Yublosky will present "Grow Your Small Business through LinkedIn Networking and Marketing" at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, located at
1401 Oakton Street in Des Plaines, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22. As the Web's largest business networking platform, LinkedIn is no longer merely a tool for job searches but can be used for marketing business to business and business to consumer small businesses. Yublosky will offer an overview of LinkedIn, its top benefits and its most effective tools as well as offer immediate action steps that can be taken to build a brand, expand a network, increase visibility and find more qualified prospects.
Most of these programs are free, however reservations are recommended due to space constraints. For more information about SCORE and its programs, please call the local office at (312) 353-7724 or visit the Chicago SCORE website at http://scorechicago.org.