GRUNDY CENTER – Small businesses in Butler and Grundy counties are encouraged to attend one of two free workshops that are being hosted by the Butler-Grundy Development Alliance to help businesses best utilize social media to communicate with existing customers, and to bring new customers to their door. These free workshops are geared to any business, but restaurants, retail stores, service businesses and others with a storefront will benefit the most. In addition, nonprofits such as churches, park boards, and public libraries, etc. are all welcome to attend as well. Learn how to better utilize social media as a marketing tool, and make sure your business is found with accurate information on Google and online maps.

Presenters will be Aaron Jarnagin and Isaac Jarnagin, co-founders of Integrity Grove, an Iowa-based digital marketing firm. The workshops will be held on Monday, April 14, at 6 p.m. in Allison, and again on Monday, April 28, at 6 p.m. in Grundy Center.

To help accommodate everyone’s busy schedules, the two sessions will be offered so that those interested in attending can choose a date and location that is most convenient for them.

According to Jeff Kolb, Executive Director for Butler-Grundy Development Alliance, “Many small businesses are relying more and more on their social media presence for the majority of their marketing efforts. There are some businesses that do a really good job of managing their pages, but there are some that could use some guidance to provide timely and professionally presented information about their business, and there are tools available to help do that.”

Kolb adds, “Social media can connect with customers instantly, so if your hours or menu changes, it needs to be kept current, something businesses 25 years ago could not do with an ad in the yellow pages.”

The workshops are free to attend. Registration is required. A light meal will be provided. Simply go online to www.butlergrundy.com to sign up and get more information. You will find the link on our homepage under news and announcements.

The deadline to register is April 10.