Marketing and Sales   

Achieving Top Search Engine Positions
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Achieving Top Search Engine Positions
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Achieving Top Search Engine Positions (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Business and Marketing Writing
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Business and Marketing Writing
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Business and Marketing Writing (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Effective Selling
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Effective Selling
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Effective Selling (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Growing Plants for Fun and Profit
Fee: $100.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Growing Plants for Fun and Profit
Fee: $100.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Growing Plants for Fun and Profit (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $100.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Marketing Your Business on the Internet
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Marketing Your Business on the Internet
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Marketing Your Business on the Internet (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Marketing Your Nonprofit
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Marketing Your Nonprofit
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Marketing Your Nonprofit (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Professional Sales Skills
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Professional Sales Skills
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Professional Sales Skills (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Using Social Media in Business
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 6/14/2023 - 8/5/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Using Social Media in Business
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 7/12/2023 - 9/2/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

Using Social Media in Business (Self-Paced Tutorial)
Fee: $115.00
Dates: 5/1/2023 - 7/31/2023
Delivery Method: Online

This course is offered through our partners at ed2go.  These courses are fun, fast, convenient, easy to use, and led by an expert instructor.  Courses run for six weeks and you have 24/7 access to two lessons each week. Each lesson is accompanied by a short, multiple-choice quiz, and some lessons include hands-on assignments.

You will receive an e-mail with course access information upon completion of your enrollment.

Important: All online courses through the Center for Business & Industry are non-credit courses.  For college credit programs and courses please visit www.DaytonaState.edu.

• Achieving Top Search Engine Positions
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Learn proven, step-by-step strategies to achieve higher positions with major search engines.

  
  

  The vast majority of web traffic comes from search engines. That means the most important thing you can do to increase your website's traffic is to improve its search engine ranking. To do that, you have to understand both the art and science of search engine optimization (SEO).

  In this course, you'll gain the knowledge you need to boost your website's visibility. By the end of the course, you'll have mastered proven, step-by-step SEO strategies that you can implement right away.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  If you want to increase website traffic, you must understand how to improve your search engine ranking. This course will give you the knowledge you need to boost website visibility with proven, step-by-step SEO strategies you can implement immediately.

  
  

  History of Search Engines and Directories

  SESR, SERP, PPC . . . do you know these terms? In this lesson, you'll learn important search engine terminology. The lesson will discuss the history of search engines and directories, and you'll learn about the differences between the two. Finally, you'll find out about current major players in the search industry.

  Understanding How Search Engines Work

  How do search engines decide which websites to include in search listings? In this lesson, you'll learn how search engines analyze websites and create results pages. You'll also learn how to search for sites that have linked to your website, and you'll discover some super-savvy search secrets!

  Creating Killer Keyword Lists

  You want your website to appear at the top of the SERPs, but which keywords will people search for to find your site? This lesson will discuss ways to find potential keywords. You'll begin your research with offline methods and then you'll use online methods to expand your list. You'll also learn how misspellings can actually help you!

  Presubmission Analysis: Figuring Out Which Keywords Are the Right Ones

  You've created a site-wide list of potential keywords, but which ones should you optimize for? In this lesson, you'll learn about the all-important presubmission analysis. You'll determine how often people have searched for certain keywords, and you'll figure out how many other websites are optimized for each of those words. Then, using one simple formula, you'll be able to optimize your site the way the pros do.

  Important HTML Tags to Master

  It's time to optimize your site! In this lesson, you'll learn about HTML tags that you must be intimately familiar with. The lesson will discuss why page titles and meta tags are important and how you can properly place and construct them. You'll also learn to include keywords in your header, paragraph text, and alt text.

  Content Layout and Keyword Usage

  In this lesson, you'll learn about HTML tags that you must be intimately familiar with. The lesson will explain why page titles and meta tags are important and how you can properly place and construct them. You'll also learn to include keywords in your header, paragraph text, and alt text. Then, you'll learn the secrets of creating quality content, legally and for free.

  Web Hosting, URLs, and Mobile Optimization

  Filenames and the technical details of how your website is hosted play a big part in successful search engine optimization. In this lesson, you'll learn how to register domain names that lend themselves to top search engine positions. Similarly, it'll discuss filenames and how they can help you. You'll discover the importance of mobile optimization and page speeds. Finally, you'll learn how to responsibly create optimized landing pages.

  Spamming Tricks to Avoid

  People often use deceptive techniques to get search engines to list their sites. This lesson examines many of these techniques and discusses why you shouldn't use them. You'll learn about keyword overuse, invisible text, improper comment tag use, and web page cloaking.

  Submitting Your Site

  You've optimized your web pages for top search engine placement, so now it's time to let the crawlers know that they exist. In this lesson, you'll learn how to submit your website to search engines! You'll learn how to manually submit your site to individual engines, explore multiple submission services, and create and submit XML sitemaps.

  Track Your Progress With a Post-Submission Analysis

  It's time to track your progress by completing a post-submission analysis. In this lesson, you'll examine the six steps of the SEO cycle. This lesson will discuss how to find your search engine rankings, and you'll delve into web server log files and referrer logs. You'll be introduced to Google Analytics, which can give you vital data—for free—about visitors to your site.

  Powerful Online Promotion Techniques

  This lesson will discuss powerful online promotion techniques. You'll learn how quality inbound links can help you and about lots of other ways to promote your site, including newsgroups, question-and-answer sites, email signatures, online advertising, and social media.

  Effective Offline and Online Promotion Techniques

  Believe it or not, promoting your website offline can make a huge difference in your search engine rankings. In this lesson, you'll learn the importance of affiliate programs and word-of-mouth visits. This lesson will discuss ways of monitoring your offline promotions and will talk about "link baiting" techniques that are ethical and that work.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Discover how search engines crawl the web, rank websites, and find previously undiscovered sites
  • Learn which HTML tags are key to getting sites on a search engine's radar
  • Explore how to select keywords, why you should amass as many potential keyword choices as possible, and which keywords hold the most potential
  • Learn why you should complete a pre-submission analysis and how to do a post-submission analysis
  • Learn how to manage the SEO cycle to maximize results

  How you will benefit

  • Get better website rankings with knowledge you can implement immediately
  • Learn the ins and outs of SEO so you'll understand how and when to make improvements
  • Open the door to new opportunities in marketing and website development

  
  

  Chris Minnick

  Chris Minnick has overseen the development of hundreds of web and mobile projects for customers ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises. In addition, he authored and co-authored books and articles on a wide range of Internet-related topics including JavaScript, HTML, CSS, mobile apps, e-commerce, web design, SEO, and security. His published books include "JavaScript for Kids", "Writing Computer Code", "Coding with JavaScript For Dummies", "Adventures in Coding", "Beginning HTML5 and CSS3 For Dummies", "Webkit For Dummies", "CIW eCommerce Certification Bible", and "XHTML".

  Show Description

  
  

• Business and Marketing Writing
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Write great marketing copy to improve your company's image and your chances of getting hired or promoted.

  
  

  Are you a writer working in the business world? Or a marketing professional responsible for obtaining great marketing copy? Maybe you're just interested in a writing or marketing career. Whatever your background, this fun, introductory course will teach you to write or identify copy that achieves business and marketing goals. Improve your work, your knowledge, your company's image, and your chances of getting hired, promoted or applauded!

  Using clear explanations, real-life examples, and an animated style, the course solidifies the relationship between business, marketing principles, and written communications. You will learn how business and marketing objectives affect writing choices. You'll get practical writing instruction in grammar, clarity, structure and more. You'll understand issues unique to this discipline, such as buzzwords, working with a team, and marketing ethics. This course will help you understand the power of writing and use it to present a solid, cohesive message to your target audience.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  Expand your writing skills and learn to create copy that achieves business and marketing goals. This course will help you use the power of writing to present a solid, cohesive message to your target audience and improve your chances of getting hired or promoted.

  
  

  The Role of Business and Marketing Writing

  The first lesson starts off with a discussion about the purpose of marketing and the goals of writing, and then talks about the unique roles, responsibilities, and challenges of business and marketing writing. You'll learn exactly what business and marketing writers do as you begin exploring this exciting field.

  The Ins and Outs of Image

  Before you can write or recognize successful copy, you'll need to understand your corporate identity: who the company is and what the company offers. In this lesson, you'll delve into all the aspects of corporate image that writers and marketing professionals need to ponder before producing effective projects.

  Writing Approaches and Strategies

  Now that you understand image, what can you do with it? In this lesson, you'll analyze business and marketing goals—and the needs of your audience—to figure out the appropriate writing style for any project.

  Media

  It's a creative field, but certain projects require certain conventions. In this lesson, you'll see how a particular medium or project type can guide your writing style and approach, helping you save time and stay on target.

  Putting It All Together: Writing Project

  This lesson will gather up the information you explored in the previous four lessons and put it all together. It will illustrate how to apply everything you've learned so far as you develop an original writing project from start to finish.

  Complete and Incomplete Sentences

  Do you need to write in complete sentences? What is a complete sentence, anyway? This lesson will give you a brief refresher on sentence construction and then go over some guidelines for using fragments in business writing. You'll also learn to recognize and fix one of the most common errors in modern writing: the comma splice.

  Word Choices

  You can't write without words! In this lesson, you'll learn to make accurate word choices. The lesson will discuss the level of vocabulary appropriate for business writing and show you how to choose words that reinforce a project's theme. It'll also clarify some tricky word pairs and discuss word-choice problems whose usage can undermine the professionalism of your writing.

  Internal Communication

  In this lesson, you'll take a critical look at the inside of a company. First, you'll see how to develop "marketing" projects for audiences within a company. Then you'll explore the roles of the various specialists who contribute to a single marketing piece—bosses, clients, editors, junior writers, artists, and designers. You'll learn how to work with all of them to create smoother relationships and better projects.

  Banishing the Bureaucracy

  For even the most experienced writers, bureaucratic influences can creep in to reduce creativity and impede communication. In this lesson, you'll take a look at buzzwords and jargon, and then explore some ways to achieve maximum power and effectiveness by keeping your writing clear, concise, and active.

  Editing, Proofreading and Evaluating

  In this lesson, you'll explore the final steps. You'll learn to enhance and refine business and marketing projects during the editing and proofreading processes. You'll also learn to evaluate finished pieces and even test their effectiveness in the real world!

  Putting It All Together: Editing Project

  In this lesson, you'll once again be putting it all together, but this time as an editor. You'll apply everything you've learned so far in the course, editing a project from beginning to end.

  Marketing Ethics

  Marketing involves images, and it's easy to lose sight of the truth. In the final lesson of the course, you'll go over some important considerations that marketing professionals need to think about.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Learn how to communicate marketing and business goals in your writing
  • Discover the best way to align written communication with a corporate identity
  • Examine methods for writing with purpose and developing a cohesive message for a target audience
  • Learn how grammatical and stylistic choices can augment business and marketing strategies

  How you will benefit

  • Learn to communicate effectively and express your values to a target audience
  • Gain confidence in your ability to reach and affect people with your writing
  • Open the door to new career opportunities as you gain invaluable skills in the fundamentals of business and marketing communication

  
  

  Lisa Adams

  Lisa Adams is a web development expert specializing in marketing, user experience, and e-commerce. In addition to building and maintaining hundreds of websites, Lisa has helped a wide variety of clients and students to create their own sites and modify existing ones to make them more attractive and user-friendly.

  Show Description

  
  

• Effective Selling
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Learn the secret to converting a potential customer into a long-term asset. Find out how to lay the groundwork for repeat business and your future success.

  
  

  The goal of Effective Selling is not to teach you how to make a sale today, but to help you discover how you can easily convert a potential customer into a long term asset. Effective Selling will help you lay the groundwork for repeat business and your future success.

  In sales, there are no quick fixes. However, with the knowledge, planning skills, communication techniques, and the understanding of human nature that you will gain from this course, your sales will grow as if by magic.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  Discover how you can easily convert a potential customer into a long-term asset. This course will help you lay the groundwork for repeat business and your future success with knowledge, planning skills, communication techniques, and the understanding of human nature.

  
  

  Laying the Groundwork

  This first lesson lays the groundwork for successful sales. You'll review some basic sales terminology and learn about how it relates to your profession. You'll also learn about appropriateness and how it can be a powerful tool for your success. This lesson will start the new salesperson off with the right tools to succeed.

  Itineraries, Sales Call Reports, and the Customer Database

  This lesson will talk about itineraries, sales call reports, and the customer database. Nothing is more important in sales than tracking your progress, your customers, and your prospects. Preparation and record keeping will keep you one step ahead of the competition. You'll also learn how to schedule follow-up calls to avoid letting potential sales pass you by.

  Selling Yourself, Your Company, and Your Product

  To be successful in sales, you must learn to sell three things: Yourself, your company, and your product. In this lesson, you'll learn the importance of these things and how to make them work in your favor. And no matter how good you are in sales, you will eventually experience a sales slump. You'll learn the simple steps to work through this slump and come through it in a stronger position.

  Communication Skills

  If you can't communicate, you can¹t sell. That's why communication is the focus of this lesson. You will learn how to effectively communicate with your customers and prospects in order to minimize problems and maximize customer loyalty. Just as important is your communication with your own company. Stop problems before they start, and your sales will increase dramatically.

  Developing Effective Sales Presentations

  The previous lessons laid out a strong foundation for your sales efforts. In this lesson, you'll learn how to develop your sales presentation. A good sales presentation can mean the difference between making the sale and going home empty-handed. Learn how to guide the prospect to placing the order by using these proven techniques.

  Recognizing Personality Types

  You'll encounter seven different types of personalities during your sales career, and you'll meet them all in this lesson. Who are they? How can you identify them? How can you relate to them? Most important, how can you sell to them? This lesson will talk about how to identify which personality type you're dealing with so you can develop a unique selling strategy for each of them.

  Presentations for Different Personality Types

  Knowing how to create an effective presentation, and how to identify the different personality types is essential knowledge. In this lesson, you'll learn how to apply the knowledge you gained in the previous two lessons. You'll also learn how to modify your presentation to meet the expectations of each of the personality types-a recipe for success!

  Closing the Sale

  The ultimate goal of the salesperson is to make or close the sale. There are six basic ways to close a sale, and this lesson will discuss them all. More importantly, you'll learn how to put each method to use for the greatest effect.

  Converting Customer Complaints to Delight

  When is an unhappy customer a great sales opportunity? All salespeople will have to deal with customer complaints at one time or another, but few know how to turn a complaint into a powerful sales tool. By properly handling these complaints as they arise, you can turn a customer complaint into customer delight.

  Effective Negotiation

  Can you negotiate a contract that pleases your customer and increases your total sales and profit? Of course! In this lesson, you'll learn the techniques of successful negotiation. There really is a win/win solution, and you'll learn how to find it in this lesson.

  Dealing With Your Competition

  It may seem that your competitors are always bigger, faster, cheaper, or smarter than you are. But the fact is, they aren't. This lesson will discuss ways you can find out what your competition is up to and how to use this knowledge to your advantage.

  Difficult Situations

  The final lesson will delve into some big questions that salespeople must ask themselves. How do you deal with customers that won't return your calls? How important are ethics in the world of sales? How do you deal with the seemingly constant rejection? All those questions will be answered in this lesson.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Learn how to schedule follow-up calls to avoid letting potential sales pass you by
  • Learn the simple steps to work through a slump and come through it in a stronger position
  • Learn how to effectively communicate with your customers and prospects in order to minimize problems and maximize customer loyalty
  • Understand how to develop your sales presentation and tailor it to various personality types
  • Learn the techniques of successful negotiation

  How you will benefit

  • Discover how to convert potential customers into long-term assets
  • Understand how to gain repeat business as a foundation for your sales success
  • Open the door to new opportunities with skills that can transfer to any organization

  
  

  Steve Payseur

  Steve Payseur began his career in sales in 1979, and his sales have increased an average of 22% a year for more than 20 years. As a Sales Manager, he set up a training program for his sales force, and he has conducted training programs for several Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Payseur is the author of "Selling Effective Techniques for Getting and Keeping Customers," a book based on his years of experience and extensive research. A recognized authority in the field of sales, he has been interviewed on several occasions for national sales magazines. Mr. Payseur has written and published two top-selling books, has two more books in the development stage, and has won several literary competitions. His online courses and classroom seminars have been characterized as open, honest, lively, fun, and informative.

  Show Description

  
  

• Growing Plants for Fun and Profit
• Fee: $100.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  This course will teach you everything you need to prosper in the backyard nursery business.

  
  

  Turn your love of plants into an enjoyable and profitable home business. Learn how to grow and market plants on a small scale without major capital investment. In an area as small as 1000 sq. ft., you can generate thousands of dollars' worth of plant material in a single growing season.

  This course is your practical guide to licensing, site preparation, equipment, how and where to find supplies, how to select and produce plants appropriate to your climate zone, how to produce quality material and, most importantly, how to market your product.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  Turn your love of plants into an enjoyable and profitable home business. This course provides information on licensing, site preparation, equipment, how and where to find supplies, how to select and produce plants, how to produce quality material, and how to market your product.

  
  

  Making the Transition From Gardener to Nurseryman

  In the first lesson, you'll meet other gardeners who've successfully made the transition to nurserymen. You may be surprised to discover that, within the small space of a backyard, you can produce significant income by growing plants. You'll also learn what permits and licenses you may need as you get started.

  Your Climate Considerations

  In this lesson, you'll take a close look at climate zone maps to help you figure out what plants will grow best in your region. Then you'll learn some easy ways to prepare your growing grounds. Finally, the lesson will show you ways to create inexpensive microclimates that will help you start your plants and expand the varieties you can grow.

  Necessary Supplies and Where to Find Them

  In this lesson, you'll learn what production supplies you'll need and how to find wholesale sources for them. The lesson will discuss cover containers, soil, fertilizer, and labels and then talk about why it's important to keep track of your expenses for tax purposes.

  Plant Propagation Methods

  Starting new plants is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences for gardeners and nurseryman alike. The process of starting new plants is called propagation. In this lesson, you'll focus on the three major methods used in nursery production: propagation by seed, cuttings, and division.

  Reduce Your Growing Time: Buy Plants From Other Growers

  This lesson will teach you one of the most valuable lessons in this business: How to reduce the waiting time involved in growing plant material. You'll learn what types of starter plants are available and how to find wholesale sources. You'll also be given some valuable guidelines to help you decide what to grow. Afterwards, the lesson will talk about how to find additional sources of information and business networking opportunities through nurserymen associations and trade shows.

  Growing Annuals (Including Vegetables, Herbs, and Bulbs)

  In this lesson, you'll focus on growing annual flowers and bulbs, paying special attention to market timing. You'll learn how to create high-value items such as color bowls and hanging baskets. The lesson will then discuss vegetable starter plants and herbs. Specializing in organic growing will help you tap into a lucrative area of the nursery trade, so the lesson will fill you in on all you need to know about organic growing and certification.

  Growing Perennials

  In this lesson, you'll focus on one of the hottest topics in gardening: The particular group of non-woody plants that nurseries call "perennials". You'll become familiar not only with the favorites, but with the wide variety of perennials available. The lesson will then go over some detailed information about specific perennials, including how to grow them and how to time them for market.

  Growing Shrubs, Roses, and Vines

  This lesson covers woody plants—such as shrubs and vines—that form the more permanent plantings in a landscape. You'll pay particular attention to roses because they're among the most beautiful and profitable shrubs. In addition, you'll learn how to grow small fruiting shrubs and vines for specialty markets.

  Growing Various Trees in Sizes From #1s to #15s

  Trees may be the largest members of the plant kingdom, but they're also among the easiest and most profitable to grow. In this lesson, you'll not only learn how to propagate landscape trees, but how to greatly shorten their growing time by buying bare-root seedlings and finished bare-roots. The lesson will conclude with a discussion on fruiting and flowering trees.

  Producing a Quality Plant

  Whether you're growing plants for fun or profit, you'll want to produce quality plant material. This lesson will provide guidelines for quality standards. You'll learn about pruning, staking, and training plants into special shapes and forms. It will also talk about methods you can use to ward off diseases and pests.

  Wholesale Marketing

  If you're like most gardeners, growing plants is the easy part—marketing is the real challenge! This lesson will begin with a discussion on wholesale marketing. You'll learn all you need to know to do business with discount chain stores, local retailers, and landscapers, and then explore consignment selling, contract growing, and business-to-business Internet options.

  Retail Marketing

  The final lesson covers retail marketing, or taking your product directly to the public. You'll learn how to advertise inexpensively and effectively so you're not just growing plants, you're growing your business! The lesson will explain what you'll need to know to sell your plants from your home or garage sales, certified farmers markets, and flea markets. It will also discuss selling your plants to government or public agencies.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Learn how to make the transition from gardener to nurseryman
  • Understand climate zones and how to set up suitable growing grounds
  • Learn the three major propagation methods used in nursery production
  • Examine starter plants and obtain guidelines on what you should grow
  • Learn about annuals, bulbs, vegetables and herbs and discusses organic production
  • Understand how to grow and market perennials, shrubs, roses, vines and small fruits
  • Learn the methods for producing and maintaining quality plant material
  • Gain strategies for succeeding in the wholesale market and directly to the public

  How you will benefit

  • Turn your love of plants into a profitable home-based business
  • Learn how to begin your nursery business with only a small capital investment
  • Gain additional gardening skills that will benefit you both personally and professionally

  
  

  Wendy Troger

  Wendy Troger holds a bachelor’s degree in fine art, with an earlier career focused on graphic design, which led to a 30-year career in educational publishing. However, her true passion has always been gardening. Wendy's love for gardening began in her youth when she assisted in tending her family’s lawn and garden. As an avid gardener, she and her husband built and landscaped their home in upstate New York, and she has spent years designing, planting, and growing a variety of gardens in her community and beyond. Upon retirement from publishing, Wendy decided to follow her passion and become a master gardener. She is now in her second year as a master gardener and has worked with several local nurseries, community gardens, and landscape businesses to help others beautify their garden spaces. Wendy currently works as a site lead at a nursery in upstate New York, where she continues to share her knowledge and love of gardening with others.

  Show Description

  
  

• Marketing Your Business on the Internet
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Develop an Internet marketing plan for your business that incorporates SEO, advertising, email, social media, and more.

  
  

  Find out how to market your business on the Internet, even if you have little or no money to spend! In this practical, hands-on course, you'll discover proven methods that will help you establish an Internet presence and build an online brand identity. You'll learn how search engine optimization (SEO) works and how to track your site's performance using web analytics. You will discover how to use online advertising, email marketing, and social media (including blogs) to drive business to your website. Finally, you'll learn how to keep your visitors coming back again and again!

  Throughout the course, you'll learn to think strategically about marketing your website, products, and services using Internet technologies. You will also explore how to use an Internet marketing checklist and other tools and materials to develop a sound online business strategy. Before you know it, you'll have the skills and knowledge you need to develop a winning Internet marketing plan for your own business.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  In this hands-on course, you'll discover proven methods for establishing an Internet presence and building a brand identity. You'll learn to incorporate SEO, advertising, email, social media, and more to develop an effective Internet marketing plan for your business even with little money to spend.

  
  

  Businesses on the Web

  With billions of pages already on the web and more posted online every day, getting your website noticed isn't easy. When students ask what they can do to increase traffic to their sites, they're encouraged to learn all they can about Internet marketing. In this lesson, you'll receive a brief introduction to the Internet, learn the difference between e-commerce and e-business, and explore different types of business sites on the web.

  Web Presence

  The terms "website" and "web presence" can be used interchangeably, but there's a subtle difference. In this lesson, you'll learn how to establish a web presence. In order to do that, you'll need to understand your goals and your customers' needs and interests, accurately identify your target audience, and establish a market position that makes you stand out from the crowd. You'll go over how to do all of that in this lesson.

  Domain Names and Search Engines

  In this lesson, you'll discover the importance of selecting the right domain name for your site. You'll also find out how search engines work and how to use that knowledge to drive visitors to your website.

  Website Optimization

  High-quality content will keep visitors at your site longer and encourage them to return more often. In this lesson, you'll learn the importance of helpful, informative, educational, entertaining, or useful content. You'll also discover how search engines use the following factors to determine ranking in response to a query—text viewable on the screen, code not viewable on the screen, and external factors.

  The Internet's Impact on the Marketing Mix (4 P's)

  In this lesson, you'll discover the elements that make up "The Marketing Mix"—the four Ps. You'll learn how the elements of product, price, place, and promotion relate to each other and to your target audience.

  Web Analytics

  In this lesson, you'll learn how to develop a message that will cause the members of your target audience to take the action you want. You'll also become acquainted with online strategies you can use to advertise your website, products, and services.

  Online Advertising

  In this lesson, you'll learn how to develop ads that inspire your target audience to take the action you want. You'll then learn how to advertise your website using search engine (PPC) advertising, banner advertising, and more.

  Email Marketing

  In spite of the growing number of junk mail filling people's inboxes, email is a thriving medium, so it's important to understand how you can use email marketing to keep current customers and acquire new ones. In this lesson, you'll examine ways that you can use email to promote your business.

  Creating Site Stickiness Through Content

  If you want visitors to spend more than 30 seconds on your website, you'll need to make it interesting, entertaining, and informative. The factor that causes visitors to spend more time at your site is called "stickiness." In this lesson, you'll learn about the advantages of building a sticky site and how to use content to make your website sticky.

  Creating Site Stickiness Through Community

  In the previous lesson, you learned to build site stickiness through the use of content. In this lesson, you'll learn to build site stickiness through community. You'll also become acquainted with synchronous and asynchronous tools you can use to develop a community experience for your visitors.

  Creating Site Stickiness Through Commerce

  The last element you can use to build site stickiness is commerce—in this case, e-commerce. You'll learn how to use commerce to keep visitors at your site longer and return more often. In this lesson, you'll become acquainted with technology you can use to create an online store, including online catalogs, shopping cart software, and online payment systems.

  Completing Your Internet Marketing Plan

  In the final lesson, you'll have the opportunity to pull together all of the information you gathered during this course to complete an Internet marketing plan. To help you do this, you'll be given an Internet marketing plan checklist and samples of the following documents: Internet marketing plan outline, a calendar, and a budget spreadsheet. You'll want to use this opportunity to complete an Internet marketing plan that you can use to promote your business.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Learn the important factors to consider when developing a business website
  • Discover how to gain and keep customers through an online presence
  • Examine the factors that build recognition and make a compelling brand identity on the Internet
  • Learn how to build an online store and exponentially improve the profitability of your business

  How you will benefit

  • Acquire an online marketing plan for your own business
  • Discover the secrets of Internet search queries to direct online traffic to your website
  • Grow your business through a strong web presence by learning tips and tricks in this course

  
  

  Lisa Adams

  Lisa Adams is a web development expert specializing in marketing, user experience, and e-commerce. In addition to building and maintaining hundreds of websites, Lisa has helped a wide variety of clients and students to create their own sites and modify existing ones to make them more attractive and user-friendly.

  Show Description

  
  

• Marketing Your Nonprofit
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Further the ideals and goals of your nonprofit by learning to compete more effectively for members, media attention, donors, clients, and volunteers.

  
  

  Under pressure to increase membership, expand program value, attract media, entice donors, and develop volunteers, all while keeping an eye on the bottom line? In the face of stiff competition, more worthwhile causes, more regulations, more watchdog agencies, and fewer funding opportunities, you need to work smarter—not longer.

  This course will show you how to use powerful marketing techniques to compete more effectively for customers, donors, members, and volunteers. You'll also learn how to persuade the media to communicate your organization's message and further its ideals and goals. Before you know it, you'll be ready to improve your market share by learning to evaluate and implement effective promotions, advertising campaigns, and communication techniques. If your organization relies on a diverse mix of fees, events, and/or contributions for support, you're sure to find this information-packed course indispensable.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  Discover how to increase membership, expand program value, attract media, entice donors, and develop volunteers. If your organization relies on a diverse mix of fees, events, and /or contributions for support, you're sure to find this information-packed course indispensable.

  
  

  Nonprofit Marketing Defined

  In the first lesson, you'll learn the basics of marketing and the common terminology used in the marketing field. This will all be important to you because it will help you understand the role that marketing plays in your nonprofit organization and the benefits it can bring to those you serve.

  Setting Goals

  In this lesson, you'll explore how and why nonprofit marketing succeeds. You'll learn to tie benefits to features to create a winning marketing program for your organization. The lesson will show you how to set marketing goals and objectives—no more guessing for you! You'll also learn how to think big, imagine great things, and understand how to measure your success. By the end of this lesson, you'll think like a professional marketer, ready to take on any challenge.

  Positioning Your Nonprofit

  Four marketing techniques work great in helping nonprofits find their niche, and they're all virtually free! You'll go over all four of them in this lesson. You'll also learn how to differentiate your nonprofit from others and you'll come to understand what targeting clients, positioning, and branding can do for your organization. You'll see how to apply these marketing tools to help your organization stand out, creating a platform where your organization can proudly show its stuff!

  Market Readiness

  In this lesson, you'll learn how to conduct a marketing audit using the six P's: Product, Publics, Price, Place, Production, and Promotion. A marketing audit is a reality test. You'll assess in detail what it will take to achieve your agency's marketing goals, and how your existing programs are serving your organization. You'll see why it's best to see that what you thought was pure genius, really is pure genius—or not. Armed with this information, you'll be ready to begin developing your actual marketing plan.

  Marketing Strategies

  Successful nonprofits either intuitively or implicitly have a strategy, and they'll use it for one purpose only: To help the nonprofit do a better job of getting to where it wants to go. In this lesson, you'll look at different types of strategies that help nonprofits focus their resources and energy to meet their goals and objectives. This is a powerful lesson that creates another practical and informative management tool for your marketing efforts.

  Advertising and Promotion

  Once the word is out that your agency has money to advertise, you become fair game for every ad salesperson out there. Considering the money you invest in advertising isn't your own and you have to justify your expenses, it's prudent to know something about what works best and why. This lesson provides timely information that will empower you to make wise advertising choices on behalf of your nonprofit.

  Advertising and Marketing on the Internet

  There's so much to learn about marketing and advertising on the Internet that you could take a whole class on it. This lesson will provide you with an introduction to this fascinating subject, and you'll add three specific tools to your advertising toolbox: website design, website ads, and event support. With just these three tools, you can build an Internet strategy that is second to none.

  Marketing and Volunteers

  In this lesson, you'll take a close look at who your volunteers are, what those volunteers bring to the workplace, and how to maximize their contributions to your marketing efforts.

  Publicity, Media, and Public Relations

  In this lesson, you'll look at three different ways to get your message across to the public: PR, media outreach, and publicity. Each is unique in its own way, but they all blend harmoniously in the end to bring forth a brilliant program that will get your nonprofit noticed!

  Developing Your Own Market Plan

  Marketing professionals understand the importance of marketing plans. But not everyone in your nonprofit is a marketing professional, nor does everyone always think like a marketing professional. To some, writing a marketing plan is a waste of time. In this lesson, you'll understand not only why your nonprofit needs a marketing plan, but also how to put a small and a large one together on your own.

  Developing a Promotion Plan

  In this lesson, you'll follow a series of steps that will lead you through the promotion planning process. You'll look at image, message, promotion, and implementation. This lesson is where you'll put everything together and learn to promote the most important thing on your mind—your nonprofit.

  Evaluating Your Marketing Efforts

  Your board and membership have expectations for what your marketing program should be doing and what constitutes success. But these don't always coincide with how marketing really works and what role it actually plays in promoting your agency. These disconnects can spell trouble, often raising doubts about how well either side is tuned in to the realities of how an effective marketing program actually works. In the final lesson, you'll look at the last piece of the marketing puzzle: How to evaluate your marketing program. You'll look at why you need to evaluate your program and how to do it.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Learn powerful marketing techniques to compete more effectively for customers, donors, members, and volunteers
  • Learn how to persuade the media to communicate your organization's message
  • Evaluate and implement effective promotions, advertising campaigns, and communication techniques

  How you will benefit

  • 24 course hours Learn to compete more effectively for customers, donors, members, and volunteers
  • Add more value to your organization with effective marketing skills
  • Open the door to additional opportunities to help your nonprofit

  
  

  Janet Levine

  Janet Levine has been involved with grant writing and fund raising since 1988. Prior to starting her consulting company in 2007, she was the Vice President for University Advancement at a public, urban university. Levine has been a fundraiser and administrator at a number of colleges, universities and other non-profit organizations. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a B.A. from Hofstra University.

  Show Description

  
  

• Professional Sales Skills
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Discover how to begin a successful and rewarding career in sales.

  
  

  Today, there are no shortages of opportunities for skilled salespeople. In good times or bad, companies never stop looking for sales representatives that can help them meet their financial goals.

  If you've always dreamed of becoming successful in sales, this course is exactly what you need. You'll learn how to turn prospects into buyers, how to provide proper customer service, how to develop a sales plan, and more!

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  If you've always dreamed of becoming successful in sales, this course is exactly what you need. You'll learn how to turn prospects into buyers, how to provide proper customer service, how to develop a sales plan, and much more.

  
  

  Overview

  During this lesson, you'll unlock the secret to your success as a sales professional. There's no magic in this procedure, and you're not predestined for success or failure. Good sales reps aren't born that way. This course will guide you to success in your sales efforts via planning, hard work, feedback, and practice.

  Time Management

  In this lesson, you'll examine three major components of a successful time management program: setting priorities, planning your time, and using commercially available time management tools. Mastering those concepts will enable you to build a meaningful time management system and integrate it into your schedule. Granted, many people have demands on their time that don't allow them all the flexibility they would like, so you'll spend some time learning about that, too.

  Marketing

  Your sales process begins with marketing. So in this lesson, you'll sharpen your skills in basic marketing techniques. You'll learn about how to get off to the right start and then build on that by examining cost versus benefits. Finally, you'll explore tactics associated with tracking the results of your marketing efforts.

  Prospecting

  Most new sales reps are intimidated by the thought of prospecting. In this lesson, you'll gain the basic tools that you need to excel at the art of prospecting to help you become the best prospector in your company. There are a variety of ways to prospect, including using the phone, direct mail, faxing, emails, and old-fashioned cold calling. You'll explore the basic components of each in this lesson, and you'll learn how to maximize your time while prospecting. By the end of the lesson, you'll see that prospecting isn't just easy to do—it can also be quite enjoyable!

  Pipeline Management

  In this lesson, you'll tackle the challenge of pipeline management by exploring three important areas. First, you'll see how to create your first pipeline management system. Next, you'll go further into the details of a prospect database—the core of your pipeline management system. Finally, you'll identify and define the key components of your system.

  The Initial Call

  In this lesson, you'll focus on an innovative approach in the sales world, called the "initial call." If you must select a single lesson in this course to master, this would be the one! As you go through this lesson, you'll begin by studying the structure of your first call. Second, you'll talk about a unique approach called a "site study" that will help move you toward closing the sale. Finally, you'll talk about preparing for the next step in the sales process.

  Proposals

  This lesson will give you the material you need to separate yourself from the majority of your competition by helping you with the art of executing a professional proposal. The first step is creating the proposal. There's a methodology to professional proposal creation, and in this lesson, you'll learn all the information you need to know to develop top-notch proposals. Proposal refinement and delivery are also important parts of the process, and the lesson will go over those in detail, too.

  Presentations

  A lot of sales professionals say that presentations are the most enjoyable part of the sales cycle. When you hire into a new company, this may be what they teach you first. Everyone is (or should be) proud of their product or service, and so they're excited to share it with others. In this lesson, you'll learn how to develop the most effective presentation techniques—the ones that will give you the greatest chance of winning the sale. You'll start by exploring presentation options, then move on to the structure of your presentation. Finally, you'll examine some of the presentation tools available to you.

  Negotiating

  This lesson will focus on the art of negotiating in the sales process. Sales negotiations are quite different from standard negotiations because you, the sales representative, are always doing a fine balancing act, trying to sell your prospect while negotiating a win-win-win situation. Sometimes the negotiating process can cause conflicts, so in this lesson, you'll learn how to identify and deal with these conflicts.

  Closing the Account

  If you were to ask professional sales reps about the aspect of sales they dread the most, a good percentage would respond, "Closing the sale!" However, if you were to ask the same professional sales reps about the aspect of sales they enjoy the most, an equal percentage may very well reply, "Closing the sale!" Why is there such a difference? The answer can be summarized in three words: training, confidence, and technique. By the time you finish this lesson, you'll be equipped with all three.

  Account Management

  The greatest resource any sales representative will ever have is a current list of customers. The company probably expended a great deal of effort and expense into acquiring these clients, so it makes sense that you should put a good deal of effort into retaining these clients. In this lesson, you'll learn how to protect this valuable asset. Most people think of their clients in the singular sense of people who are currently using their products. You should try to expand this thinking to include all people who have used your products or services. If they made a decision to buy your product at some time in the past, they remain your odds-on favorites to buy again in the future.

  Putting Your Sales Plan Into Action

  In the final lesson, you'll go over the major components of your secrets to sales success. If you've paid close attention to all the basics that were covered in the previous lessons, then you'll already know these secrets. By developing a comprehensive action plan that incorporates these strategies into your daily activities, you'll ensure your long-term success in the world of sales.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Examine the three major components of successful time management
  • Learn basic marketing techniques and tactics for tracking the results of your efforts
  • Understand how to maximize your time while prospecting
  • Learn how to make a successful "initial call"
  • Explore professional quality proposals and presentations
  • Learn to deal with conflicts in negotiation
  • Learn how to develop a comprehensive action plan that puts the sales strategies you learn into your daily activities

  How you will benefit

  • Learn to more effectively manage your time on the accounts the matter most so you can make more money
  • Develop a strategic action plan that will help you close more sales
  • Gain confidence in your ability to win the negotiating game
  • Open the door to more opportunities as you begin climbing the ranks toward being the top salesperson in your organization

  
  

  Dave Paquin

  Dave Paquin has been teaching computer skills in the classroom for over 15 years. He holds a Master of Science in Training and Learning Technology and has extensive experience as a Human Resources manager.

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• Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Discover small business marketing strategies that can help you attract attention, woo your target audience, grow your customer base, and expand your profits—all for little or no money.

  
  

  When it comes to marketing for small businesses, money isn't everything! In this course, you'll learn how to use the same marketing tricks the big companies employ—without making a big dent in your wallet.

  The small business marketing strategies you'll learn will fit into any budget—and some are even free! With the help of videos, spreadsheets, and hands-on activities, you'll build your skills in each lesson. You'll master cost-effective strategies, including strategic partnerships, local marketing, search engine optimization, social networking, email marketing, lead generation, and niche marketing. Along the way, you'll see many real-world examples from other small businesses much like yours.

  Whether you're new to advertising or looking for a refresher, this course will make you a marketing pro. By the time you're done, you'll have a personalized plan of action for increasing your sales—all on a shoestring budget.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  Discover how to use the same marketing tricks the big companies employ and create a personalized plan without clearing out your bank account. This course will help you master cost-effective marketing strategies that provide results with hands-on activities and real-world examples.

  
  

  Creating a Marketing Strategy

  If you own a small business and need to stretch your marketing dollars, you've come to the right place! In this lesson, you'll discover that you can promote your business effectively for just pennies—or sometimes even for free. The secret: a systematic marketing plan that targets your audience at every stage of the purchasing cycle.

  Getting Customers to Notice You

  The first step in successful marketing is getting people to notice you—and in this lesson, you'll look at three ways to achieve that goal. You'll start by learning how to create a great first impression, both in person and through your brand. Next, you'll find out how to position yourself as an expert in your field. Finally, the lesson will talk about using the media to promote your business.

  Leveraging Others

  Want to stretch your marketing dollars to the max? Then put the power of partnerships to work for you. In this lesson, you'll discover how to combine forces with other individuals or businesses to create exciting and effective marketing opportunities. In addition, you'll learn about enlisting other people in your place-based marketing and word-of-mouth campaigns.

  Creating a Website Designed to Sell

  These days, a website is an essential marketing tool for any business. Here's the good news: You can create an attractive, professional-looking website quickly and easily, for only a few dollars. You'll find out how in this lesson—and you'll also learn the ins and outs of obtaining a domain name, getting a matching email address, laying out your website, and finding a hosting provider if you need one.

  Driving People to Your Website

  After you create your website, it's time for the next step: drawing traffic to it. In this lesson, you'll explore how to do this through on-page and off-page search engine optimization (SEO). In addition, you'll look at pay-per-click ads, banner ads, classified ads, videos, and a host of other low-cost or free ways to draw attention online.

  Finding Leads and Encouraging Sales

  Successful business owners master the art of finding and cultivating leads, and that's what this lesson will talk about. You'll investigate everything from old-fashioned fishbowls to Facebook Business pages and Twitter, and then learn about the pros and cons of email and direct mail marketing. Whether you're a traditionalist or a techie, you'll find an approach that's just right for you.

  Encouraging Repeat Business and Referrals

  Congratulations: You've scored a sale! Now, how can you keep your new customer coming back for more? This lesson will talk about inexpensive or free ways to generate repeat sales. In addition, you'll look at a variety of techniques for encouraging referrals. Finally, the lesson will talk about capturing your customer information in a database.

  Understanding Projections and Timing

  Some marketing efforts bring crowds of customers to your door. Others are a complete flop, wasting your time and money. How can you choose wisely? By doing some upfront analysis—and that's what this lesson will talk about. Once you complete this lesson, you'll be equipped with all the tools you need to choose marketing tactics that have a high potential for success. In addition, you'll learn why integrated marketing gives you the best results and find out how to schedule a full year of marketing activities easily and efficiently.

  Targeting Your Marketing

  Sure, you want everyone to buy your product—but when you're marketing, it pays to be exclusive. In this lesson, you'll find out why niche marketing can bring in more customers than mass marketing (and create a more loyal customer base as well). After that, you'll learn how to use geographics, demographics, firmographics, psychographics, and behavioral data to create a marketing message that resonates with your target market.

  Creating Your Key Selling Messages

  This lesson will talk about key selling messages—those alluring words that overcome potential buyers' objections and make them want to make a purchase immediately. You'll learn how to identify the unique features of your business, how to create a competitive positioning statement, and—most important of all—how to identify the emotional benefits that motivate your buyers. By the time you're done, you'll be able to distill your new knowledge into a short, powerful message that will turn skeptical people into eager customers.

  Setting Your Goals and Finalizing Your Marketing Plan

  In this lesson, it all comes together! First, you'll create the two final elements of your marketing plan: your business goals and your marketing goals. You'll discover how to create goals that are clear-cut, realistic, and measurable, so you'll be motivated to meet (or even exceed) the targets you set. After that, you'll roll all of your information into a single document that will be your blueprint for marketing success. With this marketing plan in hand, you'll be ready to take your prospective buyers by storm.

  Tracking Your Results

  This final lesson talks about tracking—the secret to continually improving your marketing tactics and increasing your profits. You'll learn how to create a baseline and compile reports that can highlight your marketing successes and point to areas where you can improve. In addition, you'll discover different ways to track your campaigns—including the campaigns you might think are "untrackable."

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Learn to build your own customized marketing plan step-by-step
  • Discover how to attract your target audiences, entice customers to buy your product or service, and keep buyers coming back for more
  • Find out how to generate the referrals that are crucial to your company's success
  • Get tips on evaluating your tactics, tracking your results, and fine-tuning your approach

  How you will benefit

  • Master cost-effective strategies that will allow you to market like a company with a much bigger budget
  • Create a personalized marketing plan designed to increase sales
  • Learn to generate more revenue with less money

  
  

  Glynns Thomas

  Glynns Thomas has more than 20 years of advertising and marketing experience. She was a Vice President of Internet Marketing at Wells Fargo Bank and has worked for several well-known advertising agencies. Today, Thomas is an independent marketing consultant and a volunteer with SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business, providing marketing advice to small businesses.

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• Using Social Media in Business
• Fee: $115.00
  Dates: 5/17/2023 - 7/8/2023

  REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.
  

  Learn how to use the five most popular social media platforms—Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram—to grow and promote your business.

  
  

  One of the biggest challenges for business owners is finding new customers. Over the past decade, some business owners have leveraged social media to do just that. Whether you're a social media novice or a seasoned veteran, this course will give you a solid foundation in social media marketing and using it to grow your business.

  In today's globally connected environment, social media is a game changer for businesses. So, whether you're looking for a new way to market your business or simply want to better understand social media, this online social media marketing course will empower you.

  
  

  Requirements:

  Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

  Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

  Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

  Instructional Material Requirements:

  The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

  
  

  Learn how to use the five most popular social media platforms-Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram-to grow and promote your business. This course will help you harness the power of social media to connect with new customers, advertise products, and promote your brand.

  
  

  Developing a Social Media Foundation

  In this lesson, you'll build the foundation you need to use social media to grow your business. You will discover the definition of social media, learn about its characteristics, and see what it can do for your business. Then, you'll explore the various types of social media and focus in on the ones that offer the greatest benefits.

  Creating Your Social Media Strategy

  You will see how you can build a strategy for using social media to grow your business. First, you will discover what a strategy is and why it's important to have one for your social media efforts. Then, you will gain an understanding of the critical elements of any social media strategy.

  Building Your Social Media Organization

  This lesson demonstrates how to develop a social media organization that will help you be as effective as possible. First, you will see how to choose from among the various platforms to select the ones that will serve your business best. Finally, you will learn how you can transform your simple diagram into a more detailed electronic file and add elements as your business grows.

  Crafting High-Quality Content

  In this lesson, you will learn how to produce social media content that engages your followers and entices them to comment. You will gain an understanding of how to write content that's optimized for distribution on social media platforms and to do so without it becoming a full-time job. Finally, you will learn the various ways that you can store, manage, search, and retrieve the social media content that you produce.

  Facebook

  Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites. In this lesson, you will learn how you can use Facebook to effectively market and grow your business. First, you will get an overview of how Facebook works, and you will take a tour of a Facebook business page. Next, you learn how to create a Facebook account, set up a page for your business, and use strategies to gain awareness and exposure for your business.

  Twitter

  This lesson focuses on using Twitter to effectively market and grow your business. You will be guided through the steps required to create and brand a Twitter account for your business. Finally, you will learn several advanced strategies that you can use to gain awareness and exposure for your business.

  LinkedIn

  This lesson will teach you how to use LinkedIn to make connections, expand your personal network, and grow your business. You will explore a handful of strategies that you can use to gain awareness and exposure for your business.

  Pinterest

  In this lesson, you will learn how you can use Pinterest to share information and connect with others who are interested in your products and services. You will learn a handful of strategies that can help your business gain additional awareness and exposure.

  Instagram

  In this lesson, you'll learn how you can use Instagram to effectively market and grow your business. First, you'll look at an overview of the social media platform, see how it differs from others you've explored, and take a tour of its features. After that, you'll see how to create a personal account and how to decide whether or not to switch to a business profile. Finally, you'll examine several strategies that you can use to leverage Instagram to engage and interact and grow a base of followers for your business.

  Social Media Automation

  In this lesson, you will learn about social media automation. You will peek at the pros and cons and identify the most common pitfalls of using automation. And finally, this lesson introduces the most popular free and paid automation tools that you can put to immediate use.

  Social Media and Your Team

  In this lesson, you will learn to minimize the time you spend on social media activities through delegation. First, this lesson investigates the types of tasks you can delegate and examine some common pitfalls to avoid. Next, you will explore processes for assigning tasks to team members and, if needed, hiring a part-time or full-time social media manager. Finally, you will gain some strategies for centralizing your social media information and get a preview of some software solutions for integrating your social media team's efforts.

  Measuring Your Social Media Performance

  How do you know if what you're doing is working? In this lesson, you will learn about tracking, monitoring, measuring and improving your social media activities. You'll investigate the most common types of metrics you will find in social media and then examine some popular third-party tools that can take your analysis to another level.

  
  

  What you will learn

  • Describe the basics of online marketing and how Social Media works
  • Identify the main objectives for using social media in your business.
  • Select the right social media platform(s) that align with and support the identified business objectives
  • Demonstrate the ability to setup and configure the five most popular social media platforms.
  • Develop a process to test, measure, review, and continuously improve the effectiveness of your social media efforts.

  How you will benefit

  • Confidently promote yourself as a social media marketer
  • Immediately apply what you learn in the lessons to promote your business and generate new leads
  • Gain the knowledge and develop the ability to implement a SOCIAL process to increase awareness, engagement and sales for your business.
  • Master the art of successfully using social media to promote a business and track your results - something most people can't do

  
  

  Brad Semp

  Brad Semp, Ph.D., is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at a global corporation, a life-long entrepreneur, and a former professor of Bachelors and Masters of Science courses in Internet Marketing. Dr. Brad is active on social media platforms to engage with prospects and customers, expand relationships, and to grow businesses. He routinely coaches other entrepreneurs and business owners and consults with Fortune 500 organizations on how to design and implement effective social media systems, strategies, and tactics.

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