Brick and Click

Brick and Click Social Marketing and Communication Workshop - June 1

I'll be hosting an open Brick and Click Social Media Marketing & Communication workshop on Saturday, June 1 2013, from 11a-2:30pm at Iron Bridge Restaurant and Wine Company in Old Town Warrenton. We'll be in the ultra cool, reserved 'stone cellar' (pictured), and in addition to the workshop/presentation, attendees will enjoy a tastebud delighting lunch, with refreshments and appetizers included. It's always an enjoyable and impactful time of learning, networking and amazing food.

This workshop and presentation will focus on the latest marketing, communication and community building trends, strategies and changes in social media, with a heavy focus on Facebook. Whether you're a business professional, in marketing, a small business owner, in military public affairs or local/state/fed government...you're sure to come away with actionable info and hands-on help that applies to your unique goals and needs. A range of topics will be covered, including:

• an overview of what's been taking place across the 'social web'. The good stuff.
• content creation, management and movement - key to building and engaging your target 'community'. Helps SEO as well.
• Facebook - Pages - key changes, tips and strategies. You can work on your Page as the workshop progresses. 
• FBook PPC advertising - Tips, strategies, even for modest budgets, to build brand awareness
• Mobile - I'll use a special App that enables me to display content from an iPhone 5 'live' to the presentation screen.
• Metrics - how to efficiently and effectively monitor what and how you're doing
• Twitter - tips, time and content management (Hootsuite); hacking through the noise to build an effective community and strategy. Why you need to be on Twitter.
• Linkedin - every professional needs an updated, active profile. Why your business likely needs one as well. 
• Connecting the Dots - integrating everything and staying sane in the process

Fee for 3.5 hour workshop, including lunch and reserved venue, is $150. Generous discounts for past workshop attendees, Warrenton Chamber of Commerce members, military public affairs...and if you heard about Brick and Click on the radio, let me know which station, for a spcecial listener discount. If you've been given a discount code via ads or content you've seen on Facebook or elsewhere, share that when contacting me, Jeff Crites, to reserve your seat.If you want to reserve more than one seat, group discounts applied. Contact me for specifics on all discounts or any other details.

Seating is limited. Call 540 729-2742 or email jeff@brickandclick.com to reserve your seat now. Electronic payment (Paypal) reserves and confirms your seat. First come, first reserve!!

See the event on Facebook here. RSVP to it, or share with friends. If you refer a friend, you can receive a referral fee (tell them to tell me your name).

See you at 'the Bridge'!

~ Jeff

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Jeff Crites is Founder and Principal Strategist at Brick and Click Solutions, a 'boutique' agency offering Integrated Marketing/Communications services, solutions and strategies to businesses small and large, business professionals, military orgs, and media. Jeff, with 20 years experience in marketing and strategic communications (12 in radio) was Community Manager for Army.mil, part of a strategic communication team that built and managed the Army's official website, CMS and social media presence. He is a recognized expert in social/emerging media and communications, and was invited by NASDAQ OMX to be a panelist at its 'Social Media Leadership Forum', a half-day event at  NASDAQ's famous Time's Square location during Advertising Week 2010. Read about this special day here (Ringing the Bell on the Future of Digital: Our Day At NASDAQ). Learn more about and connect with Jeff via Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.

Beginner & Advanced: 2 Series of Social Media Workshops at Warrenton Chamber Offices

* Nov 4/5 Update: Classes were originally delayed one week due to Hurricane Sandy. Now, both class series have been indefinitely postponed/cancelled due to a minimum number of seats not being filled. Please contact me for further information if you have a reserved seat, or would like more information on personalized help for you and your business needs. I have reached out to all who have made reservations, to work out alternative, personalized training. Thank you for your understanding! Jeff

I'll be leading a 3-part Social Media 101 class/workshop (beginner level) at the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce offices beginning Monday/Tuesday, Octobert 29th and 30th. Two times/days are offered each week for three weeks (three 2-hour sessions), so you can choose the day/time that fits your schedule best:

Class 1) Monday, Oct 29 Nov 5th: 7-9pm  or Tue, Oct 30 Nov 6th: 10a-12pm  

Class 2) Mon Nov 12: 7-9pm or Tue, Nov 13: 10a-12p

Class 3) Mon Nov 19: 7-9pm or Tue Nov 20: 10a-12p

This first three week series is aimed at those who have little/no experience with social media, may be on Facebook, etc ... but feel overwhelmed by it all, do not know how to properly build and utilize a professional personal and business presence on social networks, or feel a refresher course will be helpful. In skiing terms, think bunny hill to easy green intermediates. Material to be covered and general schedule as follows (may change slightly):

Class 1)  social media basics/overview, personal Facebook and Linkedin profile building; how-tos and best-methods to network, communicate, consume and share content and information.
Class 2)  Facebook for Business - Pages
Class 3) Twitter; brief overview of other key networks; how to utilize your smartphone effectively using social media apps and content capture/share capability.

These classes will have a workshop type environment. You're encouraged to bring laptops to work on your own social media presence/efforts, ask questions, etc. There will be a main screen presentation, so laptops/iPads are not required. Social media covers a vast and constantly changing landscape. This is a starting point to get you better informed, confident, and off and running. 

Cost: For GWCC members, $150 for all three classes.  Non members, $180.
Electronic payment up-front (via Paypal) will reserve your seat. Seating limited to 15 people per daily session. You need to choose your preference, morning or evening when reserving a seat. If you miss a session and can make it to the other one that week, you're more than welcome to do so if there's room. Note: A minimum number of attendees (to be determined) must sign up for this course to begin. 

Attendees can submit questions via e-mail in between classes (I'll reserve time each class for Q&A). Attendees will be encouraged to take on projects in between classes, a summary of what is being taught, with links to key blogs and other information, will be shared...and each attendee will be subscribed to the Brick and Click 'client only' e-mail newsletter for six months, with impactful news, tips and information about social media and marketing, especially as it relates to small business and all biz pros. Attendees will also be given the opportunity to continue receiving personalized help with generously discounted consulting rates. (image above/right: me teaching Public Affairs pros recently at Fort Belvoir the latest in social media communication)

A second three week course (Advanced Social media), will begin the week after this first course ends. More on that soon, and if interested, please contact me to reserve your seat. Same basic set-up, same days/times each week for three weeks and same fee will apply. Some who take the beginner course may want to reserve the Advanced course as well, to take things to the next level.

Reserve your seat now by contacting me, Jeff Crites, via email: jeff@brickandclick.com  or by phone: (540) 729-2742. You'll be invoiced for electronic payment. Contact with any questions as well. I hope to see many of you there!

Jeff Crites
Founder/Principal Strategist: Brick and Click Solutions
Integrated/Emerging (social) Media Marketing & Communications, PR, SEO, SEM
strategy | solutions | digital presence | training | management

Former Online Community Manager, Army.mil (part of a team that built and managed the Army's official website and social media presence). Nearly 20 years in New/Traditional Media, Marketing and Comunications. See my Linkedin profile for more on what I do and have done, and check the Portfolio and Testimonials pages on this website as well. My various social media connection points are linked via buttons in the upper right of this site's sidebar. Please connect!

July 28 Social Media + Marketing + Strategic Communication Workshop

The next in a series of Brick and Click Solutions training/workshops will be held Saturday, July 28, from 11a-2:30pm, at the popular Iron Bridge Wine Company and Restaurant on Main Street in Old Town Warrenton, Va. We'll be gathering in the reserved Stone Cellar - pictured below - for a terrific time of learning, networking and fabulous food.

"If you've been invited to be a part of a social media/Facebook Workshop, sign up now. I learned a ton about using Facebook as a marketing tool for my photography studio.  Because of what I learned from Jeff, my fan base tripled in 3 weeks.  A lot of workshops can be useless, but anything put together by Brick and Click would be a wise investment of both money and time."

~ Lauri Bridgeforth, owner, Full Frame Photography (Winchester, VA)

This workshop and presentation will be focused on having a vibrant, effective presence and strategy across the Social Web, with a deep focus on Facebook. Whether you're a business professional, marketer, small business owner, work for a major brand, military organization or other org, you'll come away with gobs of usable information and strategies that apply to your unique situation and needs. My workshops are designed to be impactful for experienced social communicators/marketers ... as well as those who are newer to the digital scene. 

This workshop will cover:

• Where we are, where we're going - an overview of what's taking place across the social web
• Facebook changes - Timeline for Pages, how to build, engage with, serve Fan community. LOTS of changes lately. Numerous tips and strategies that you're likely not aware of
• Customizing Facebook - using third party apps to easily customize and manage Page Tabs. Also, Cover and Profile Images, and Optimizing your page and personal presence.
• PPC advertising - should you? Tips, strategies
• Mobile - an overview of the fast evolving mobile landscape
• Metrics - how to quickly and efficiently monitor what you're doing, so you can adjust strategy
• Twitter - tips, time management, how to be heard through the noise and build community
• Hootsuite - manage/schedule Twitter content and track metrics
• Blogging - should you blog? Finding your voice
• Pinterest -  why it's the third most popular social network
• Linkedin - why you AND your business need an updated, living/breathing profile in this 160 million strong biz focused nework
• connecting the dots
• it's a workshop - personalized instruction and hands-on help

The workshop (event here on Facebook) includes lunch, refreshments and private venue. If you haven't been before, you're in for a treat. Cost for 3.5 hour workshop, lunch and venue is $150. Special discounts for multiple seat purchases, military public affairs and Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce members (contact for details). Early bird discount ended July 18th.

“Jeff set the standard of how to manage one of the largest social communities in the federal government--Army.mil--and along the way influenced Dept. of Defense Social Media policy. In a field that is often filled with self-proclaimed experts and blowhards, he is one of the few social media thought leaders who is able to define and translate tangible and measurable value from a medium that many find hard to quantify or define.”

 ~ Yancey Hall, former Senior Web Strategist at L-3 Communications, Associate at Booze Allen Hamilton

 
Includes limited follow-up questions and 6 month subscription to the B&C client-only e-mail newsletter. Seating is limited. Your seat is reserved by electronic payment (via Paypal, takes any credit card). Contact me, Jeff Crites, via email or phone with any questions and for invoicing. Other contact points to connect across the social web are found on my contact tab, and via social buttons in upper right side of website.  See my Linkedin profile for a detailed view of work experience and skills, with 30 recommendations and counting.

call 540.729.2742
email:  jeff@brickandclick.com

WiFi available, feel free to bring a laptop so you can work on your own project(s) during the class. Presentation is on main screen ... so laptops are optional.

Guaranteed to be well worth your time.  See you at the Bridge Saturday, July 28th!

~ Jeff

UPDATE: If you couldn't make this workshop, no worries! You'll have more opportunities. The next workshop will be held at Iron Bridge on Saturday August 18th. Official event info will be posted soon, but feel free to contact me now to reserve your seat(s), Early Bird pricing in effect! And extra special discounts for military, area chamber members, and multi-seat purchases.

I'm also happy to come to you ... host a private workshop/training event at your business or organization, at a day/time that's best for you. Small to large groups, one-on-one sessions in person or via online screen sharing, with affordable fees and training that's cutomized to meet your unique needs.

The Pretend Friend: Linkedin Etiquette 101

If you've ever sent a request to connect on Linkedin, choosing the 'friend' option ... and you don't know the person in the slightest, this blog post if for you. Linkedin is NOT Twitter. It's a professional business network with certain barriers in place that make it more challenging to connect with people. And that's a good thing.

It's not a contest to connect with the most people. It's a place to connect or re-connect with people you've met (in person or online), worked with or worked for, in some form or fashion. It can also be that place you first meet someone, via groups, Inmails and such. But if your first instinct is to fire off  a bunch of connection requests the easy way, via the 'friend' option, your first instict is wrong. Do a little homework, locate the person's e-mail address, choose 'other', and insert e-mail. And then - this is key - tailor an introductory message so it's not the pre-populated, impersonal form note.

There are no second chances to make great first impressions.

 

 

Next Level Social Marketing & Communication Workshop Feb 25

 

 

Saturday, Feb 25th at Iron Bridge Restaurant in Old Town Warrenton, 11am - 2:30pm, includes mouth watering lunch and amazing venue. For small biz owners and staff, military public affairs, marketing & communication pros, biz people and entrepreneurs who don't have time to waste, and love making up lost time ... this is a great opportunity to pack months of learning into a less than half day session. Attendee questions - what's important to you - warmly welcomed.

Topics covered include:

• Important changes to social networks - heavy emphasis on FaceBook Pages
• Why authentic, creative Engagement is critical - and why most of your content might not be seen by Fans
• best ways to create/manage custom Page Tabs
• Pinterest (Next Big Thing is here, right ladies?), Twitter & Linkedin tips ... to G+ or not to G+ ... (insert your platform question here)
• PPC ads - Facebook & Google
• Creating, managing, scheduling, monitoring content with apps like Hootsuite. Turn 9-5 into a 24/7 communication machine
• Metrics/Insights - what matters, why it's important to measure & adjust strategy
• Integration ... connecting the Dots, online/offline

Hosted by Jeff Crites (me!), Founder/Chief of Strat(egery?) at Brick and Click Solutions (Linkedin profile); former Army.mil Community Manager, part of team that designed & managed the Army's official website & social media presence. Nearly two decades marketing, strategic communications, traditional and new/social media experience.  Numerous clients from small businesses to national brands to military installations and more. Workshop guaranteed to take your marketing and communication efforts to the Next Level.

Fee just $150 (if you have a discount code/offer, please share when you contact me), includes amazing lunch, Stone Cellar venue, 'social' T-shirt & limited post-workshop questions answered.  Additional opportunities to secure discounted consulting time offered as well.  E-payment via paypal confirms your seat (seating is limited). Contact me, Jeff Crites, at 540.729.2742 or jeff@brickandclick.com. See what others have to say here.  Event on Facebook Here.