Instructor: Harry Ponder, owner, Carolina Business Services, Weaverville, NC
Date: Thursday, May 9
Time: 6-9 pm
Cost: $5 payable at the door

Many small businesses fail because they never take the time to set financial goals or a budget. Budgeting is a must for survival in today’s economy. Without knowing what the owner wants to accomplish financially and having a goal to reach that accomplishment, many small businesses find themselves overshadowed by their more successful competitors. This program is for small business owners and managers who want to be on the right financial tract to success.

Some of the topics to be discussed are:
1. What is budgeting?
2. Why do I need to have a budget: is it really that important?
3. Where does the information on a budget come from?
4. How will setting a budget help my business survive and grow?
5. How is a budget related to a cash flow statement?
6. How do I set a budget?
7. How do I forecast my budget figures?
8. Where can I find help in developing my budget?

Instructor: Mary Anne Baker,
owner, INNSights Internet Marketing, Sylva, NC
Date: Thursday, May 23
Time: 6-8 pm
Cost: $5 payable at the door

This introductory class will include instruction on what the internet is, how to use browsers, how to navigate, and how to search and bookmark websites. You will also learn how to print from a website. If there is time, you will be instructed on how to create an email account if you do not already have one.

You are encouraged to bring your own laptop, but laptop computers will be available if needed. (Sorry, no iPads. The iPad won’t give you enough horsepower for this class.)

Instructor: Mary Anne Baker,
owner, INNSights Internet Marketing, Sylva, NC
Date: Thursday, May 30
Time: 6-8 pm
Cost: $5 payable at the door

The class will cover how to obtain a free email address, how to send and receive mail, how to attach a photo or document to an email, and other basic skills. We ask that you please bring your cell phone in order to verify your created email account.

You are encouraged to bring your own laptop, but laptop computers will be available if needed. (Sorry, no iPads. The iPad won’t give you enough horsepower for this class.)

Instructor: Mary Anne Baker,
owner, INNSights Internet Marketing, Sylva, NC
Note: This is a 2-part class, &
you must register for both parts.
Dates: Part 1: Tuesday, June 4. Part 2: Tuesday, July 9
Time: 8-10 am (each session)
Cost: $5 each session, payable at the door

Part 1 of this program will include instruction on how to claim your free business listings on Google, Bing, MapQuest, Yelp, and TripAdvisor.com. By claiming these listings, your business will become visible on local search results and on mobile phone map searches.

Part 2 will cover how to manage your free business listings as outlined in Part 1, and will also include instruction on how to track, respond to, and promote your reviews.

This course is highly recommended for local attractions, restaurants and retailers.

Instructor: Mary Anne Baker,
owner, INNSights Internet Marketing, Sylva, NC
Date: Thursday, June 13
Time: 8-10 am
Cost: $5 payable at the door

Learn how to set up your business on Facebook. Learn how to use its basic features and navigation, including how to post stuff that will help you get found by search engines. The class is perfect for you if you:
a. Want to create a Facebook Business Page for your business
b. Have set up your Facebook Business Page, but aren’t quite sure how to use it.
c. Are using a personal profile as a business page and want to convert the personal profile to a business page.
d. Have discovered a Facebook Page for your business that already exists, and want to learn how to claim it.

Please make sure you have a personal profile on Facebook prior to attending this beginner class.

You are encouraged to bring your own laptop, but laptop computers will be available if needed. (Sorry, no iPads. The iPad Facebook app won’t do all you’ll need it to do.)

Instructor: Mary Anne Baker,
owner, INNSights Internet Marketing, Sylva, NC
Date: Thursday, June 20
Time: 8-10 am
Cost: $5 payable at the door

This class is for you if you have already established a Facebook Business Page and have a basic knowledge of its features and navigation.

Concepts will include how to create viral posts, sharing, tagging, pinning, highlighting, scheduling, and using Facebook “as your business.”

You are encouraged to bring your own laptop, but laptop computers will be available if needed. (Sorry, no iPads. The iPad Facebook app won’t do all you’ll need it to do.)

Instructor: Mary Anne Baker,
owner, INNSights Internet Marketing, Sylva, NC
Date: Thursday, June 27
Time: 8-10 am
Cost: $5 payable at the door

This class will cover promoted posts, offers, methods to grow your fan base, Facebook Ads, and third-party applications to enhance your fans’ experience. This class will also include instruction on Facebook Insights – how to measure your posts and understand your user demographics.

You are encouraged to bring your own laptop, but laptop computers will be available if needed. (Sorry, no iPads. The iPad Facebook app won’t do all you’ll need it to do.)