Purdue opens Digital Ready Business program

A Purdue Extension workshop series that seeks to help Indiana small businesses build or enhance their online presence will return in communities throughout the state this spring.

“Digital Ready Businesses” was launched in 2017. The program has been updated and new workshops added to reflect current trends. Participants can attend all 11 (1 hour) sessions or only those that meet their needs. The hands-on training, led by county Extension educators, covers a variety of topics, from website basics to podcasting, blogging, the ins and outs of social media, and email analytics and marketing.

The series is being offered virtually starting in January from 2 to 3 p.m. EST:

• Claim Your Online Turf – Tuesday, April 2
• Website Basics – Thursday, April 4
• Grow Your Virtual Customers – Tuesday, April 9
• Search Engine Optimization – Thursday, April 11
• Email Analytics & Marketing – Tuesday, April 16
• Podcasting 101 – Thursday, April 18
• How to Blog Successfully – Tuesday, April 23
• Introduction to Social Media Platforms – Thursday, April 25
• Social Media Plan & Content – Tuesday, April 30
• Social Media Analytics & Marketing – Thursday, May 2
• Digital Storefront – Tuesday, April 7

Sessions are $25 each or you can register for the complete series for $250.

“These workshops are designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners or employees who might not have an online presence, or have one that is outdated,” says Roberto Gallardo, director of the Purdue Center for Regional Development and Community and a regional economic specialist for Purdue Extension.

In follow-up surveys, participants have reported significant increases in sales, customer base and customer engagement, and nearly 9 in 10 recommended the series to others.

“We have a long way to go,” one participant responded, “but at least we now have a plan. Since our workshop I started concentrating on Facebook and Instagram with the help of my daughter. She started to post daily even though our content/backdrop was not exactly how we wanted it. We grew Facebook from 1,547 to 2,079 and Instagram from 676 to 2,013.”

For more information, email Daniel Walker at walke422@purdue.edu.