City of Chicago’s Small Business Center partners to present workshops about Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter for start-ups and business owners

Small Business Center partners to present workshops about Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter for start-ups and business owners

August 27, 2014

CONTACT
David Staudacher
Information Coordinator
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
(312) 744-5291

Get a jump on Social Media Week and visit the City of Chicago’s Small Business Center for its Social Media Boot Camp, which is designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners maximize social media strategies. The Social Media Boot Camp is made up of four workshops that take place every Friday in September from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Room 805 at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago.

“We partnered with social media specialist from outside City Hall to offer attendees an opportunity to engage all of the social media opportunities available,” said Commissioner Maria Guerra Lapacek of BACP. “This is just one of the many ways we support small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

The Social Media Boot Camp consists of:

• “Facebook and Business Do Mix” on Sept. 5 by Jesse Caballero, of Habanero Communications;
• “How to Use YouTube to Market Your Business” on Sept. 12 by Mark Goodman,of e-Conversation Solutions;
• “Instagram 101 for Small Businesses: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” on Sept. 19 by Laura Sanchez, of SWATware LLC;
• And “Twitter for the Technology Challenged” on Sept. 26 by Brandon Lewin, of Cardinal Path.

“Using social media is the most cost-effective way of improving branding, online presence and credibility,” said Laura Sanchez, CEO of SWATware LLC. “Instagram is a very powerful social media resource that is helping many businesses, including mine, expand and grow. Some businesses use Instagram as the base of their entire advertising campaign; one image, after all, is worth a 1,000 words or more!”

“Businesses should use social media if they want to stay connected with potential and current customers,” said Brandon Lewin, of Cardinal Path. “I have met a lot of people, recently, who have gained business directly and indirectly from Twitter. My business has directly benefited from being active and engaging on Twitter. It can participate in so many aspects of a business. It’s amazing. And it will keep surprising you.”

Apart from the Social Media Boot Camp, City of Chicago officials will present several workshops on Wednesday afternoons. The workshops include “City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers,” Contracting 101: How to Respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP),” “How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/Preparer License” and “How to Become Certified/Doing Business with the City of Chicago.”

The Small Business Center at the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection hosts free business workshops every Wednesday and Friday in Room 805 at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago. Workshops are conducted by city officials, BACP’s partner organizations, and experts in the industry. To register for a workshop or for more information, call (312) 744-2086 or email [email protected]. Learn more about BACP programs and events by visiting www.cityofchicago.org/SBC.

September 2014 Business Workshop Calendar

9/3       City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers         

3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the City of Chicago

To operate a successful business in Chicago you must know the requirements. Talk to officials from four City departments who will provide insight to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and point out the do’s and don’ts of operating your business. Don’t miss this workshop!

9/5       Facebook and Business Do Mix

               9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Presented by Jesse Caballero, Habanero Communications

Learn how to maximize the tools that Facebook offers to maximize your business needs. Whether you sell a product or provide a service, learn some tricks that can cost effectively give your business positive results.

9/10     Contracting 101: How to Respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP)

               3:00 to 4:30 p.m. 

Presented by The City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS)

This workshop is designed to teach business owners how to respond to a City of Chicago RFP. Learn what evaluators look for in a RFP and how to avoid common mistakes. Learn helpful tips on how to navigate RFP specifications.

9/12     How to Use YouTube to Market Your Business

               9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

               Presented by Mark Goodman President & CEO of e-Conversation Solutions

Video is a powerful tool to help you build relationships with prospects and customers and enable them to learn about your company’s solution. Learn about integrating YouTube content into your marketing and selling process. You don’t even have to produce video to use YouTube to grow your business. This workshop will discuss integrating third party content into your internet environment, tips on creating and using simple content and working with a content creator to position your expertise.

9/17     How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/Preparer License

3:00 to 4:30 p.m. 

Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection

Are you interested in operating a food truck in the City of Chicago? Then come and learn how you may obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) or Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) business license. We will be discussing the MFD/MFP licensing process including inspections, the application, mobile food vehicle, and operational requirements, as well as the optional pre-application Mobile Food Vehicle Assessment.

9/19     Instagram 101 for Small Businesses: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

               Presented by Laura Sanchez, CEO of SWATware LLC

Discover how Small Businesses are using Instagram to tell their story, connect with new prospects, and network to create meaningful relationships. Learn multiple tips and tricks to use Instagram to create brand recognition and boost your online presence as well as your sales.

9/24     How to Become Certified

               2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS)

This workshop will provide an overview of the five certification programs currently offered by the City of Chicago: Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), Business Enterprises Owned and/or Operated by Persons with Disabilities (BEPD), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE).        Receive information regarding the application process and how to avoid the most common mistakes applicants encounter when submitting their applications.

               Doing Business with the City of Chicago

               3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

This information is designed to outline the role and responsibility of the Department of Procurement Services, and how the City’s purchasing process works. This workshop is ideal for companies looking to do business with the City of Chicago.

9/26     Twitter for the Technology Challenged

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Presented by Brandon Lewin, Cardinal Path

Since 2006, Twitter has swooped on to the social media marketing scene. We have seen news stories break, relationships make up and break up, countries revolting, and people becoming mega stars overnight with the help of the blue bird. It’s time for you to catch up. Discover how to use Twitter for your business. The workshop won’t make you rich quick, but it will lead you to a path of success.