Tag: chicago

Facebook Tips From the Pros

boostyourbuswithfacebookFor those of you who may or may not know September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month.  In conjunction with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Facebook hosted a “Boost Your Business’ event in Chicago and I am happy to say that I participated.  These events are taking place around the country, so I encourage each of you to find out if it is coming to a city near you and if so register.  It’s FREE and it is INVALUABLE.

The event started off with remarks from Congressman Luis Gutierrez who spoke not only about how he uses Facebook, but how successful his office has been about sharing important and useful information on Facebook for his English as well as his Latino constituents.  The Congressman shared how successful his interactions have been on Facebook as well as the criticism.  His remarks demonstrated just how much Facebook means in our daily interactions.  Facebook is no longer social it is a lifeline, keeping people up-to-date not only on the social but political and other aspects of life as well.

gutierrez

During an amazing presentation from one of the Facebook staffers, we learned that millions of people navigate social media today and that Facebook has worked hard to tailor your experience to meet your specific needs.  Utilizing Facebook ads, you can specifically target your demographic by gender, age, employment status, time of usage and so many more options.  Using Facebook ads can be an inexpensive impactful asset to your business.  You can also review in real time how effective your ads are and determine, how much, how little and how often your ads are shown to Facebook users.  What helpful information right in the palm of hand or right on your laptop.

There was also a panel discussion with local business owners who are currently using Facebook to promote their business.  They answered pre-selected questions from event registrants about the effectiveness of Facebook and social media in regard to their business.  One major take away from the panel was how immediate you can assess the results of a Facebook ad versus traditional media platforms where it may be some time before you can see the results of your advertising budgets.  The panel of small business owners gave event participants great information on how advertising and marketing with Facebook can be beneficial to successful business.

facebook-panel

In addition to celebrating the contributions of Hispanic and Latino owned businesses, the seminar demonstrated just how valuable Facebook can be to your business.  Before I attended this workshop I was not aware of just how useful Facebook could be to growing my business.  Now there is no doubt that Facebook is a tool that every business no matter what the size, can help with advertising and promoting your services and your business almost better than radio and television advertising.  Facebook is gaining momentum as an advertising and marketing tool.  There were even some apps recommended such as Boomerang and Hyperlapse, which can help you effectively market your business or services.

facebook-businessChicago is not the only stop on tour.  To see where else the event is headed and to see if it will be in a city near you check Faceboo Boost Your Business events.    Check Facebook for Facebook Business as well as courses to learn the various ways that Facebook can help you Boost Your Business.

Expo for Today’s Black Woman

 

state farm

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attend the Chicago Expo for Today’s Black Woman.  What a great time and what a well put together Expo.  The Expo has been held here in Chicago for many years (I am not quite sure of the exact number).  No matter how many years the Expo has been around they are still on the cutting edge of what is going on in our society and they make the weekend enjoyable and tiring (in a good way).

I spent my entire Saturday afternoon at the Expo and let’s say I could have left broke and tired.  The vendors were awesome.  You could purchase everything at the Expo from popcorn to purses and everything in between.  There were hundreds, may thousands of people in attendance and there was something to do for everyone.

Some of the highlights for me were the celebrities intermingled with the crowd.  There was Leon at a booth signing autographs, Sheryl Lee Ralph, the original DreamGirl!  working her booth, taking photos and selling t-shirts.  I was able to catch a panel discussion with the hilarious and talented Kym Whitley who and shared the panel with a local Chicago lifestyle blogger Swa-Rai.  There were even performances by Kelly Price and Tony Terry.

Despite all of these things, what would an Expo be without the participation of companies that make you feel and live better.  My employer, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System hosted a booth as well as the University of Chicago, several other clinics.  There were mobile on-site wellness clinics and rapid HIV testing available.  There was also an education pavilion with a host of schools providing information on everything such as seminary and advanced degrees.

This was my first time attending the EXPO in a few years, however it will bot be my last.  I am so pleased at the caliber of booths and presenters as well as how well the space was laid out.  I could have had a little more space within the aisles because it did get crowded and there were several bottlenecks of people. I would have also loved to see local small restaurants or chefs able to provide food service for the event instead of the well known and overpriced chains that were there.

expocrowd

Overall, I enjoyed myself and will make plans to attend again next year.  I appreciate the effort that went into making this year’s Expo a success and look forward to what the organizers will do in the future to outdo what they did this year.  If the Expo comes to a city near you make it your business to be in attendance.