May 18th 6 – 9 PM Podcasting Class

Podcasting: Producing Web Audio and Video

For the beginner in web audio and video, this class offers an overview of some of the basic tools (software and hardware) needed to produce quality web audio and video. A professional videographer, Stephanie Carson, will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Sarah Benoit, an online marketing specialist, will discuss methods of using podcasting as a promotional device for websites. Discussions will include methods of placing web audio and video on websites and syndicating the content across multiple web channels to generate traffic. This hands-on, interactive learning class is a great preparation for any small to medium sized business owner or individual interested in producing professional quality web audio and video. (3 hrs)

Total Registration Fee: Free

Tue, May 18, 6:00PM-9:00PM
341 Haynes, Enka Site Course #: SBC-1008-700

GENERATIONAL MARKETING
How Do We Keep the Marketing Message Relevant?
with guest speaker TIM BRYANT
 
Date: Monday, April 19, 2010, 11:30AM to 1:00PM
Location: Posana Cafe, 1 Biltmore Avenue, Downtown Asheville
Price: Members $15, Guests $25

RSVP to programs@aafasheville.org by April 15
Register and pay online at www.aafasheville.org
 

Is now the time to pull back and weather the storm, or do you seize the moment and move into growth mode? The truth lies somewhere in between. Learn how to look for hidden business opportunities in the current economy. (3 hrs)

For more info visit the Asheville Small Business Incubator Website!

Total Registration Fee: Free
Tue, Apr 13, 6:00PM-9:00PM
2046 Small Business Center, Enka Center Course #: SBC-1001-700

This course is designed for anyone planning to start a new business, expand their existing business or introduce a new product, with a special emphasis on businesses related to the “Green Business.” Before investing time and money, the question must be asked, “Is this idea or product feasible?” This course will train you to prepare a preliminary feasibility study and will be critiqued by the Professional Services Team at the Center for Business and Technology Incubation, enabling you to determine if your idea/product is a Go or No-Go business idea. (15 hrs)

Total Registration Fee: $25.00

Thu, Apr 01 – May 20, 6:00PM-9:00PM
2001 Small Business Center, Enka Center Course #: SEF-2003-700
Class will meet Apr 01, 15, 29, May 13, and 20.

March 20, 2010 – Saturday – 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration: $30.00
Save $5 by pre-registering!

Ask any banker if they would consider lending money to you for a business that does not have a Business Plan. Once they wipe the tears of laughter from their face, they will look at you sympathetically and say, “Of course…NOT!”. Why would they do such a mean spirited thing? Lenders know that without a Business Plan (1) They cannot make a valid judgment about whether your business idea is a good one or not and (2) They cannot be sure that you have thought through all the essential issues of your proposed business. And guess what… neither can you! Join our Business Plan workshop and learn how to assess the real chance your business has to survive in today’s hotbed economy.

The speakers are successful business persons who will bring you first-hand insights.

–Bryce Malsbary is a retired executive with careers in Human Resource Management and Financial Services. He has 18 years experience in Healthcare HRM with 10 of those years as Vice President of HR at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida. His second career of 17 years was with AIG Retirement as Regional Director for the State of Florida where he was responsible for group relations and new business development. His responsibilities also included developing and implementing annual business plans to achieve corporate sales quotas.

–Glenn Pirrong is an Asheville SCORE counselor with extensive background in finance and general management. Prior to purchasing and operating his own company, he was the CFO of a NASDAQ-traded public company. Earlier he held senior financial positions with major corporations and was president of a subsidiary company. He will present the material on the Financial Section of the Business Plan covering Balance Sheet, Income Statement (P & L), Cash Flow Statement and Break even Analysis.

Scheduled dates, times, location and directions:

March 20, 2010 – Saturday
* 8:00 a.m. – Registration
* 8:30 a.m. – Seminar starts promptly
* Location: A-B Tech Enka Campus, Small Business Center, Room 2046

April 22, 2010 – Thursday – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Registration: $30.00
Save $5 by pre-registering!

Each year the Internet becomes more and more competitive. The more companies there are online the harder it is to maintain a number one spot on the search engines and the more difficult it is to achieve the online attention you need. Do you want to increase your web site’s performance? Then attend SCORE’s Internet Marketing Advanced Fall class. Learn about:

* The basic rules of search engines
* Search Engine Optimization, better known as SEO
* Organic search engine marketing
* Blogging
* Social Networking
* The Importance of Keywords
* Writing for the web
* The role of Pay Per Click… is it right for you?
* Keys to Successful Email Newsletter Campaigns
* Online Syndication and RSS Feeds

And much more! This class is geared towards web savvy businesses that have already started to develop an online presence. Individuals that have been building and managing their own web site but are interested in search engine marketing are encouraged to attend. For more information visit the Asheville SCORE website.

Social media has become one of the hottest topics these days. Learning how to best use this kind of communication for your business is key. In Asheville in the month of March there are a wide variety of opportunities for small business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs to learn about social media and what it means for your business.

Roadmap to Online Success – 3 Day Workshop

The most complete social marketing workshop in Asheville.

Dates: Tuesday March 9th, Thursday March 11 and Tuesday March 16th from 7 – 9 pm
Location: WriteMind Institute in Downtown Asheville on Lexington Ave.

This workshop’s primary objective is to train local artists and entrepreneurs on how use online social networks to make their passion economically sustainable. Participants will experience hands-on demonstrations, learn repeatable strategies, and create or grow an online presence. This isn’t a “how to get rich” or “secrets of the internet” class. It’s about the here and now.

This class is appropriate for all skill levels, but is designed for individuals in the early stages of promoting a product or service on the internet or at a point where additional skills in the areas of online marketing, social media, and search engine optimization are necessary for online success.

For information on the curriculum visit the instructor’s website HERE.

Mountain Xpress’ Social Media Jam INTERMEDIATE workshop on Twitter and Facebook.

March 9, 2010
LOCATION TBA
6:30-8 p.m.
$15 per person; bring a laptop or web-enabled device
Facebook: search Social Media Jams
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SocialMediaJams

The March 9 Social Media Jam is second in an ongoing series full of down-to-earth intermediate training on using Facebook and Twitter. This workshop builds on the intro workshop, teaching users about third-party tools like Twitpic and TweetDeck. They’ll also talk more about hashtags, keyword searches and advanced Twitter techniques, like how to find people on Twitter you don’t yet follow, but who are trying to interact with you. You are invited to bring a laptop or web-enabled device to the workshop. Bring a notebook and take notes if you like.

Payment isn’t due until the day of the workshop. Please bring cash or make your check for $15 payable to Mountain Xpress.

FREE ASHEVILLE SOCIAL MEDIA SCHOOL Class #2

March 23, 2010 from 5:00pm-7:30pm at the Garage At Biltmore
101 Fairview Rd Asheville NC 28803
Learn Social Networking using Twitter and Facebook.

The location is not set yet, but it will be within 10 minutes of downtown Asheville. Besides G Social Media, there will be guest speakers including Trey Pennington from Greenville South Carolina and Social Village from Asheville discussing some very important social media information. They will also show you how to set up a Twitter and Facebook account and some great tips for you and your business. Drinks will be available during the meeting and a music and social time will follow the class at 7pm. RSVP on Facebook or by Email (Email is on the G Social Media website)

This class will provide students with an overall understanding of the buying and selling process, including the financial statements and ratios used, how to prepare and market your business for sale, how to analyze a business to buy, and managing and structuring deals. (2 hrs)

Total Registration Fee: Free

• Tue, Jan 19, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
• 2046 Small Business Center, Enka Site Course #: SBC-7795-700
• Thu, Feb 25, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
• 126 Ramsey, Madison Site Course #: SBC-7795-701