Training For Struggling Small Business Owners In Bloomfield

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Center Alliance (BCA) has launched a free training program for small business owners trying to make ends meet amid the pandemic.

The nonprofit’s new initiative, “Accelerate Your Success!”, focuses on training and technical assistance in marketing and branding. It aims to expand local business owners’ marketing knowledge and outreach by helping them to adapt and grow amid the coronavirus crisis.

According to the BCA:

“Accelerate Your Success! is a two-part program including an eight-week training series, followed by delivery of individualized technical assistance for BCA business owners, including website design, e-commerce and social media. The BCA has partnered with Suasion Communications Group, a woman-owned, award-winning New Jersey-based marketing and public relations agency to deliver its upcoming training series and deliver technical assistance.”

The Accelerate Your Success! eight-week training series and technical assistance is set to begin the week of Feb. 15. For more information or to register, contact Randy Blackmon at events@bloomfieldcenter.com.

For information on Accelerate Your Success! or the Bloomfield Center, visit bloomfieldcenter.com.

In the summer of 2020, the BCA took a survey to determine what businesses needed most in terms of support through COVID-19. Responses indicated that businesses needed help establishing online stores, social media, marketing and e-commerce. The BCA researched funding opportunities and the state of New Jersey announced a COVID-19 relief package last fall that specifically targeted Main Street businesses and downtown organizations like the BCA.

The BCA then pursued and received a grant to develop and execute the program.

“Our team is very excited to introduce this new small business initiative,” Executive Director Ollyn Lettman said.

“We are so pleased to have been granted the New Jersey COVID-19 relief package, helping our team design a program specifically benefitting our business owners,” Lettman continued.

The BCA’s Accelerate Your Success! training series consists of the following seminars.

Module One

Seminar 1: KICK OFF: Integrated Marketing Communications Overview

Business Introductions, Communications and Marketing Overview

Seminar 2: BUZZWORTHY: Brand Management & Public Relations

Creating the Right Brand Image and Public Relations

Seminar 3: AMPLIFY: Ad Campaign Management & Public Relations

Establishing Campaign Objectives, Tactics, Measurement and Campaign Duration

Seminar 4: CATAPULT: Traditional, Digital & Guerilla Marketing

Traditional, Social, Digital and Stealth Marketing Strategies

Module Two

Seminar 5: ENGAGE: Social Media

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest Posting and Advertising

Seminar 6: POWER UP 1: Digital Marketing 101

Websites, SEO and Website Re-targeting

Seminar 7: POWER UP 2: Digital Marketing 102

Google AdWords, Re-targeting and Behavioral Targeting

Seminar 8: PIVOT POINT: E-commerce/Online Shopping/Wrap Up

E-commerce Basics and Online Stores

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know about a local organization that should be profiled, contact eric.kiefer@patch.com

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