Add-Options Blog

On June 18 at Noah’s in Lindon, there will be a training event for all sorts of people who want to learn more about social media.

SmartMedia training events are designed to teach PR agencies, marketing professionals, corporate and independent media specialists, and technology evangelists of all stripes, the fundamental principles, concepts, and skills to effectively employ new media as a communication tool.

The all day event is $154.95 and you can register at the Smart Media 2009 website

Tomorrow, April 21st, I will be speaking to the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce member luncheon.  The subject is Web Marketing Demystified: The Internet from an Entrepreneur’s Perspective.  All too often, we hear that we must have an internet strategy as entrepreneurs, but there is so much information out there that it’s hard to figure out what to do.  How does it all fit with traditional marketing?  If all the things that web marketers are true, then why aren’t we richer, happier, sexier, and just darn better?  This presentation will help figure out what is buzz and what is real so that entrepreneurs can make better decisions.

Yep, it’s been a while.  But things are moving again.  There have been many updates of the links here on the site.   And we have started a facebook group called Add-Options, appropriately enough.  If you are on facebook, join the group and share your insights, resources and ideas about entrepreneurship and running a small business.

I had the opportunity to meet Dian Thomas over a year ago and to chat with her about her career.  She spent many years presenting ideas for camping and crafts on various TV shows, including the Today Show.  Dian is a force of nature when it comes to promotion and publicity.  And she is sharing her knowledge and experience with entrepreneurs in Utah.

She offers a day long course called “How to Get a Million Dollars’ Worth of Free Publicity” with the next course to be offered on January 31, 2008 at the Larry Miller Campus of SLCC.  The cost of the course is $169 and includes resources for helping you become a pro at public relations for your small business.  You can call 800-846-6355 or email her at dian@DianThomas.com to register for the course.   It’s well worth the money and time to learn from Dian.

For those of you who have been waiting for this, AddOptions.org has finally been updated with all the links from the various courses being taught.  Resources for marketing and market research as well as website development and many other business topics have been added for your use.  Since there is plenty of useless information on the internet, only the best resources (like always) have been chosen.  If you think we should add something, please don’t hesitate to suggest them. 

Have you ever wondered what market research was all about?  Maybe you wanted to figure out how to determine who your customers really are.  Well, have I got the answer for you.

Starting on November 6th, there will be a 4 week course on the subject of Market Research.  Each Tuesday evening from 6 to 9, you can learn from me, John Gilbert, about figuring out who your customers are, how to find them, and what it takes to find them. 

The most critical success factor for a Small Business is Market Research. You need to identify your target market and create a customer profile. This class teaches you how to conduct primary, secondary, and internet research to identify customer psychographics, demographics, and geographics.

Who should take this course? Small Business Owners, or start ups that need help with Market Research.

Course Objectives  After completion the student should be able to:

• Identify your Target Market
• Create a Customer Profile
• Conduct Primary and Secondary Research
• Use the Internet to find information

Course Details
Length: 3 hours
Format: Computer Lab
Class size: 18 students
Location: Salt Lake Community College
  9750 South 300 West, Sandy UT 84070
  Miller Free Enterprise Center 207

Here’s the link to get signed up.  Or call Barbara at (801) 957-4654 for more information.

As part of the Internet for Small Businesss Owners course at UVSC, the SEO class is Tuesday, October 16th (tonight) at 7:15pm. The owner of a SEO company will be coming to speak about what SEO is and how to do it.

The Orem address is 800 South 900 West room 106.

The more the merrier, so tell your friends and business associates that they are welcome. The evening is open to the public and is free to attend.

On Tuesday, October 9th at 7:15 pm, there will be a free lecture on Blogging and Affiliate Marketing for Small Businesses by Janet Meiners. Their lecture is filled with useful points on how to use these two marketing techniques to increase revenues. If you are interested in learning how to develop these techniques in your business, please come to this 2 hour course.

This lecture is part of the UVSC Community Education course, Internet for Small Businesses and is being offered free to the public for the first time ever. The course will be held in the UVSC Education Building (the old Vineyard Elementary at 900 West and 800 South) in room 104. Seating is limited, so show up early.

I just got a reminder in the mail about BYU’s annual Economic Self-Reliance Conference. It’s November 8 and 9, 2007. The primary focus of this conference is microeconomics around the world. Most of what they discuss has application to third-world countries, but it is applicable to economic development in the United States.

If I remember right, students can attend for free. Everyone else has to pay. It’s $125 early bird registration for those who register before October 15, 2007. If you are interested in helping others to become self-sufficient, it is well worth the price.

UVSC and the Alpine School District Community Education program are offering courses in entrepreneurship taught by John Gilbert. These include Opportunity Evaluation, Business Planning, Running a Business, and Internet in the Small Business. You can find more information about the courses at the Add-Options Small Business School webpage. If you know of an entrepreneur that could use some help getting organized or started, these are great courses. The cost of the courses is very low for those who are on a budget. The courses begin next week, so let your friends know they have to hurry and register. Thanks.