Public Relations Workshop Builds Skills for Entrepreneurs

May 20, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

You’ve gotten pretty good at free marketing which is why you’re all over social media, using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to promote your buisness. But what’s up with your competitor getting coverage in the Sunday paper? What can you do to get that?

Your competitor likely used a press release to alert the media to a newsworthy event. Now you can do the same.

No need to pay a professional public relations person to write a formal press release. Learn this important skill for yourself in a two session workshop Mary Ellen Merrigan presents for WESST, 4 – 6pm on June 16 and 23.

In an interactive seminar cover the reasons to generate a press release and then review an easy formula to produce one. Test your press release idea in front of a small group of participants and get input from other small business owners who, like you, prefer to market on the cheap.

You’ll write your own release during the week between sessions using guidelines provided. In part two, discover specific media outreach techniques, best practices and ideas to align your business with other community partners. The workshop concludes with a discussion of free publicity outlets.

Registration is $59, $49 with seven-day advance purchase.Register online or call Lorena Schott at 505-246-6939 to reserve your space.

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Marketing Training Intensive Facilitated by Merrigan

February 10, 2010 by · Leave a Comment 

Marketlink, a six-week intensive marketing training from non-profit WESST offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to customize an aggressive growth plan for their business.

The series gets consistent high marks from graduates with favorable comments about subject matter experts, peer advice and networking. It begins March 1, 2010.

Mary Ellen Merrigan facilitates Marketlink for the fifth time. She characterizes the program as an overview of business fundamentals. “For many participants, this may be the most significant work on business foundations since beginning their business.”

The curriculum, featuring subject matter experts each week, includes these highlights:

  • Define Your Competitive Edge and Consider Key Legal Issues
  • Deploy Market Research to Find Your Target Market
  • Understand Financial Statements and Why They Matter
  • Increase Visibility with Advertising, PR, and Internet
  • Refine Pricing Strategies and Sales Techniques
  • Map Your Growth with a Marketing Plan

“Marketlink features outstanding information from the local community as well as from other nationally known resources,” Merrigan said. “It’s completely updated. For those who want to revamp their business to deal with today’s economics, this is it!”

Students receive a two hours consulting block, a textbook and numerous digital resources as a part of the course in addition to the opportunity to network with fellow participants.

Get more information or apply for the program at WESST. A roundtable introducing the program is scheduled for 5:00 pm Monday, February 22, 2010 at WESST, 609 Broadway NE.

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