Area businesses looking for new ways to attract customers can learn about daily deals and online listings during free seminars from the Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center on Nov. 14 in Fort Smith.
Area businesses looking for new ways to attract customers can learn about daily deals and online listings during free seminars from the Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center on Nov. 14 in Fort Smith.
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center will present “Get the Real Deal on Daily Deals” from 10 a.m. to noon and “Get Listed Locally” from 2-4 p.m. at Arvest Bank in the Arvest Tower.
ASBTDC is offering the seminars at no charge as part of a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Daily deals – email or mobile offers for discounted local services and products – can build awareness of a business and get new and existing customers in the door. However, small businesses can easily create more demand than they can fulfill or wind up with an unprofitable promotion.
“Get the Real Deal on Daily Deals” will cover the good, the bad and the ugly of daily offers and help business owners decide if a daily deal is right for them. The seminar will also share best practices for daily-deal offers.
The “Get Listed Locally” afternoon session will show local businesses how to attract the attention of potential customers searching online for the products and services they offer. Businesses will learn simple steps for claiming and enhancing their free online business listings on Google and other Internet sites.
The listings are critical since the way consumers look for information about local services and stores has changed. Rather than the phone book, many now turn to the Internet. Even businesses that don’t have their own websites yet can utilize free listings so customers can easily find them online.
Due to limited seating, advance registration is required to participate. To reserve your seat for either or both sessions, please call the Arkansas Tech University ASBTDC office at (479) 356-2067 or email Ronda Hawkins at rhawkins2@atu.edu.
The seminars are the first of 16 free small business training programs ASBTDC is hosting in Sebastian County in the next 10 months. Each session will utilize iPads. The training is intended to help local businesses enhance their online marketing. Contact the ASBTDC office at Arkansas Tech for more information.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. Contact Hawkins at (479) 356-2067 or 106 West O St., Russellville, AR 72801.
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is a university-based economic development program serving start-ups, existing businesses, expanding businesses and technology businesses. ASBTDC is a partnership of the SBA and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The center at ATU serves nine counties in the River Valley region. Call (479) 356-2067 or visit asbtdc.org to learn more.
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