PIKEVILLE – Innovation Network & UPIKE College of Business hold Social Media Workshop

Entrepreneurs participate in free workshop

The Kentucky Innovation Network Pikeville Office and The University of Pikeville Coleman College of Business conducted their first of nine Social Media Workshops for Beginners. The purpose of this training is to assist small businesses in enhancing their marketing efforts. The workshop was held in UPIKE’s Community Technology Center and was free to the public. The workshop demonstrated the basics of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Google. The workshop covered different approaches to marketing, gaining followers, and how to drive engagement.

Assistant Director of the Kentucky Innovation Network Pikeville Office, Justin Prater, led the workshop and was excited about the turnout at the event. “It was great to see so many entrepreneurs and every-day citizens come out and allow me to demonstrate a side of social media they may not have known existed. The Kentucky Innovation Network and the University of Pikeville look forward to serving our community.” said Prater.

An impressive turnout of thirty attendees demonstrated the need and desire of small business owners to improve their marketing skills with this technology.

“As a small home-based business I was very excited to see (on Facebook) the “free” workshop that was being offered to the public on social media,” said Diana Sykes, owner of Sew Cute LLC.
The workshop included usage statistics for different social media platforms, the “do’s and don’ts”, and even how to structure targeted ads.

“I found this workshop very helpful as it gave me the opportunity to explore various social media options with a thorough explanation of each type,” said Dorian Moe of Mountain Comprehensive Care Center. “I especially appreciated the statistical data that was presented so we could see the effectiveness and appeal of each media type to specific age groups as well as lots of tips to save money on advertising,” she said.

Entrepreneurs are already utilizing the skills demonstrated during the workshop to drive engagement on their social media platforms.
“It was worth the time and effort it took to attend the workshop, with the things I learned I was able to increase my embroidery business likes on Facebook alone by 577 % in one day alone.” said Sykes.

The social media workshops will continue throughout the nine-county region the Kentucky Innovation Network Pikeville Office serves. The next workshop will be on July 29th at the Pine Mountain Grill in Whitesburg, KY. The workshop will begin at 5:30 PM and will complete at 7:00 PM. For more information, contact Justin Prater at justinprater@upike.edu or call 606-218-5053.

About The Kentucky Innovation Network Pikeville Office
The Kentucky Innovation Network Pikeville Office was established in April of 2014 to serve the needs of Breathitt, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry, and Pike Counties. The office was established to assist entrepreneurs (both new and existing) with starting their own business or help with their existing business. The office offers free business model coaching, strategic planning, and professional networking. For free assistance with your idea or business, please contact us at 606-218-5053 or email justinprater@upike.edu