City of Chicago Hosts Free Social Media Boot Camp

For Immediate Release

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will host a Social Media Boot Camp throughout the month of August designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners maximize social media strategies. The sessions will take place every Friday in August at 9:30am in business workshops at City Hall’s Room 805.

Brandon Lewin, of Image Perspective, will present “Twitter for the Technology Challenged” on Aug. 2; Laura Sanchez, of SWATware LLC, will present “How to Use LinkedIn Effectively to Grow Your Business” on Aug. 9; Jesse Caballero, of Habanero Communications, will present “Facebook and Business Do Mix” on Aug. 16, and Mark Goodman, of e-Conversation Solutions, will present “Increase Your Sales by Using YouTube” on Aug. 30.  

"Social media empowers small businesses and their owners for opportunities that used to cost an arm and sometimes two legs,” said Brandon Lewin, Vice President of Business Development at Image Perspective, who is slated to present the Twitter for the Technology Challenged workshop. “The field of competition is leveled now. It is no longer about who has the biggest budget. It is about who is the most creative and brings the most value to customers. A small business can do that with ease."

Apart from the Boot Camp, several workshops will be presented on Wednesday afternoons. The workshops are “Talk to City Inspectors, Ask Questions, Get Answers,” “JOC Information Session” (presented By Dwayne Pierre-Antoine, The Gordian Group), “How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/ Preparer License” (presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection), “Your Business Website for Smartphone Users: Optimize it or Create a Business App?” (presented by Michael Johnson, NewMediaThree.Com) and “How to Become Certified/ Doing Business with the City of Chicago” (presented by the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services).

BACP offers free workshops every Wednesday and Friday in Room 805 at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago. The workshops are free and open to the public, and conducted by city officials, BACP’s partner organizations and experts in the industry.

To register for a workshop, or for more information, call 312.744.2086 or email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org. More information about BACP’s programs and events are at www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

August 2013 Business Workshop Calendar

8/2    Twitter for the Technology Challenged
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented By Brandon Lewin, Image Perspective

“What is Twitter? How do I use it for my business? What is a hashtag? I am so confused!” These are questions and a statement that is probably swirling around in your head. It is OK. You are not alone. Twitter is confusing for even some of the technology advanced. It is more about a mentality, than it is about being technology savvy. Anyone can do it. You just have to understand how it works. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of Twitter, how to use it effectively for your business, and how to get in the press by using it.

8/7    Talk to City Inspectors, Ask Questions, Get Answers  
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago

To operate a successful business in Chicago you must know the requirements. At this workshop you can talk to four inspectors from City departments who will point out the do’s and don’ts of operating your business, and provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, and prepare for inspections. Don’t miss this workshop!

8/9    How to Use LinkedIn Effectively to Grow Your Business
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Laura Sanchez, SWATware LLC

Online networking is a very powerful resource that any small business can use to expand their business influence. At this hands-on workshop you will learn how to use LinkedIn to open and customize your personal and business page, as well as many tips and tricks you can use to build a growing strong network. Unleash the power of social media and start enjoying the benefits.

8/14    JOC Information Session
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented By Dwayne Pierre-Antoine, The Gordian Group

This workshop provides a summary of the City's Job Order Contract Program and the benefits of JOC for the Prime Contractor and Subcontractors. Learn how to bid a JOC as a Prime Contractor and Subcontractor. This session is ideal for construction and construction related business owners. 

8/16    Facebook and Business Do Mix
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Jesse Caballero, Habanero Communications  

Learn how to maximize the tools that Facebook offers to maximize your business needs. Whether you sell a product or provide a service, learn some tricks that can cost effectively give your business positive results.

8/21    How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/Preparer License
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) 

Are you interested in operating a food truck in the City of Chicago? Then come and learn how you may obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) or Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) business license. We will be discussing the MFD/MFP licensing process including inspections, the application, mobile food vehicle, and operational requirements, as well as the optional pre-application Mobile Food Vehicle Assessment.

8/23    Your Business Website for Smartphone Users: Optimize it or Create a Business App?
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Michael Johnson, NewMediaThree.Com

A majority of business websites look completely different on Smartphones compared to desktop computers – why is this? Learn how to optimize your website for Smartphone users and answer the biggest question, do we need an App? The answer might surprise you.

8/28    How to Become Certified
1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS)

This workshop will provide information on which businesses are qualified to become certified as a Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise. Learn what documents are required, where to go for help, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

Doing Business with the City of Chicago
3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

This information is designed to outline the role and responsibility of the Department of Procurement Services, and how the City's purchasing process works. This workshop is ideal for companies looking to do business with the City of Chicago.

8/30    Increase Your Sales by Using YouTube
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Presented by Mark Goodman, e-Conversation Solutions

Video is a powerful tool to help you build relationships with prospects and customers and enable them to learn about your company’s solution. Did you know that digital video consumption grew 30% year over year in Q4 2012? Learn about integrating YouTube content into your marketing and selling process. You don’t even have to produce video to use YouTube to grow your business. This workshop will discuss integrating third party content into your internet environment, tips on creating and using simple content, and working with a content creator to position your expertise.