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Bbc itasca layman
The Itasca Area Blandin Broadband Community (IABBC) implemented several integrated strategies to improve broadband use among businesses in Itasca County, Minnesota. These strategies included social media breakfasts, an IT professionals network, a community portal, business technology assessments and loans, social media training, and student intern outreach. Through these initiatives, over 100 businesses received assessments and training to improve their online and social media presence. Key lessons learned included the importance of strategy, grassroots leadership, program alignment, in-person contact, meeting people where they are, and timing.
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Bbc itasca layman
- 1. Itasca Area BlandinBroadband Community (IABBC) 1
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- 3. Integrated strategies toimprove the use of Broadband Expanding the USE of broadband technology for Itasca County business Social Media Breakfasts (Discover Social Media) I.T. Professionals Network (connecting I.T. resources) Community Portal (Community engagement) Business Technology Assessments & Loan Program (transform your web presence) Social Media training (improve knowledge and use) 3
- 4. • Traveled to122 small businesses in the surrounding towns • Visited businesses in Bovey (3), Bigfork (8), Cohasset (4), Coleraine (9), Deer River (11), Grand Rapids (67), Hill City (3), Marcell (3), Nashwauk (5), Pengilly (1), and Remer (8) across Itasca County • Highly effective strategy to cross-market all Itasca Area Broadband programs 4 Student Intern Business Outreach
- 5. Social Media Breakfasts (SMB: Last Tuesday of every month) • Local and non-local speakers • Interactive and engaging • Attendance ranging from 20-45 per meeting, even when it’s 30 below!
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- 7. Business Technology Assessments What businesses are saying… “We have a more organized approach to improve our online and social media marketing.” “Fabulous input – very helpful. They understand the small business challenges of implementing effective Social Media advertising.” “Nice to have hands-on help for social media “crisis management.” If we have a glitch, it’s nice to know you’re there.” “Through this process, I was encouraged to think about my logo and how it might be limiting my growth.” “Nice to have an objective look at our strategies and tools. It’s hard to evaluate something effectively when you look at it every day.” 7
- 8. I.T. Professionals Network • Representatives from businesses and organizations – Itasca County – City of Grand Rapids – Magnetation – ICC – Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital – MNSTAR – Blandin Foundation – Essar Steel – Lake Country Power – Bigfork Valley Hospital – MCIS – And more … 8
- 9. Community Portal •Stronger Marketing Collaborative for Itasca Communities • Create NEW Digital Marketing Strategies • Brand Marketing…”It’s in Minnesota’s nature” www.minnesotasnature.com 9
- 10. Social Media/Online MarketingTraining Goal: To bring a deeper level of Social Media education and hands on training to Itasca Area businesses. • 100+ Total Attendees • Attendees ranged from small businesses to bigger companies across a variety of industries
- 11. Social Media Training We offered 12 classes including: • Facebook Basics for Business • Marketing with Twitter • Understanding Google Analytics • Advanced Facebook • Social Media Strategy • Blogging for Business • Making Money Online Provided eBook, video and worksheet resources
- 12. Lessons Learned To move forward effectively, strategy is key Grassroots leadership enables sustainability Program alignment is vital Face to face contact is best Always meet people where they’re at Timing can be everything