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.

Weather Delay: Warrenton Social Media Workshops

(please see note at bottom for additional update, class cancellation due to minimum number of seats not being filled)

Due to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy ... the start of the Social Media 101 Classes/Workshops at the Greater Warrenton Chamber of Commerce has been delayed one week, from tonight or tomorrow morning to November 5th or 6th, 7-9pm next Monday or 10a-12pm next Tuesday. If you've already reserved a seat for the three week series (two 2-hour sessions per week), you're still set to go. And if you haven't yet reserved a seat (or group of seats), now you have more time to do so! Please contact me for details, chamber discounts, etc. See previous blog post for info on the classes. Advanced Social will be pushed back one week as well - it will begin one month from today, instead of three weeks. Hope to see you at the Warrenton Chamber offices soon! ~ Jeff

P.S. keep up to the minute on everything Brick and Click via Twitter and Facebook.

Additional Update, Monday Nov 5th:  This class has been cancelled due to minimum number of seats not being filled. If you have reserved a seat, or are interested in help, please contact me for additional information and ways you can still receive the help you need. thank you~ Jeff

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.

DC Dunkin' Donuts Gets Social

Hats off to the crew at DC Dunkin' Donuts ... via their Twitter profile, a "local, independent Dunkin' Donuts franchisee group based in DC, MD and NoVa". They picked up on a tweet of mine on Monday, July 2nd .. the first work/weekday following the destructive 'Super Derecho' storm that tore through the DC Metro area on Friday, June 29th. I was responding to a tweet from someone I know that works at Fort Belvoir (@fort_belvoir), after he mentioned the Dunkin' Donuts on the base was without power and closed. A coffee fiend and nerd, I asked if the Starbucks on the base was open, and a friendly conversation ensued, as seen below, with the local Dunkin' team.

They 'get' social. From the friendly and smart banter on Twitter, to the way they left a huge impression on me via a snail mail package. This is what 'brick and click' is all about. The way brands and people connect and communicate offline and online. And the package I recieved, within a few days of the Twitter conversation (it moved to direct message as well, as they asked for my mailing address and were just plain fun and nice to chat with), contained some terrific stuff. They sent me a $5 card to make purchases at Dunkin' ... a Free Iced Coffee coupon, a big 'DD' magnet (now is on my fridge), and most importantly, a personalized note that says the following:

Hi Jeff

Great to connect with you on Twitter.

I've attached a quick card for your next Ft Belvoir post Derecho roaDD trip!

Go forth and conquer!

Warm Regards

Mark Gundersen on behalf of Dunkin' Donuts Capitol Market Region

Mark actually read a blog post I penned about the Derecho storm and the way various businesses and organizations, like Ft Belvoir, communicated and helped people via social media. I love the playfulness of using double DDs in words (roaDD). It was a homerun across the board, and a perfect example of the way you can connect with, impress ... and potentiall convert people to brand loyalists and advocates via social media AND traditional channels as well. I haven't been to a Dunkin' Donuts in a long time. Part of the reason is there isn't one nearby, and I know all Starbucks locations by heart, using them as a 'third place' to work from sometimes.  But ... next time I'm at Ft Belvoir, or pass a Dunkin' Donuts elsewhere, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll pop in for a visit. And you can credit Mark and his colleagues for the terrific, customer-centric impression they've made on me. They 'get social'. Do you??

 

Facebook for Business Workshop - April 23rd

Any and all are invited to my next Brick and Click workshop, focused on Facebook (event on Facebook )... with so many changes having taken place over the past year, and especially with the introduction of Timeline for Pages this month.  This workshop will take place Monday, April 23rd, from 8:30am to 12pm, at the new Cornerstone Church office facilities off Blackwell Rd in Warrenton, Va.  I wanted to start hosting some weekday workshops, so business owners and marketing/communication pros who can't make my standard Saturday workshops can hopefully attend. 

Talking to numerous business folks in my area, Mondays seemed to pop up as a good day for many.  Also, some business owners will recognize the value of sending their marketing/social media person(s) to a workshop like this on a workday, realizing a half-day, impactful session like this will offer immense value (and it will!!).  Topics to be covered include:

• Changes to Pages (Timeline and more) 
• Differences between Pages, Groups and Personal profiles
• Engagement - why it's critical to getting your messages seen
• Growing your Fan base, and serving them as well!
• Looking your best - page branding/design/images/customization 
• Landing/information Tabs & Apps 
• Content Marketing: creation, curation, scheduling 
• PPC advertising - tips ... why it's an absolute must for most businesses
• ROI / Insights - measuring the effectiveness of your efforts

Here are your workshop/customization options:

Why You Need Brick and Click Solutions

You're a business small or large...business professioal...military org...media entity. You need a vibrant presence across the Social Web, and an integrated marketing/communication strategy that punches through the noise and connects with your target audience. You don't have the time, desire or expertise to navigate the fast-evolving digital landscape. You need Brick and Click Solutions.

Content Creation, Marketing, Management (social, blogs, press releases)...Social Media Optimization (SMO) on Facebook, Twitter, G+/Places, Linkedin, Pinterest, Youtube...Search Engine Optimization (SEO)...Social Advertising...Search Engine Marketing (SEM)...E-mail Newsletters, Training, more. Brick and Click ensures your presence, strategy and performance is the best it can be. 

Don't get lost in the noise. Let us craft a unique strategy and make sure your message, like digital snowflakes, lands and sticks where it should. Impactful and affordable: Integrated Marketing and Communications, Digital Presence, Brand/Content Management, Training, and more. Contact us for a no-cost evaluation and conversation today. 

If you heard about Brick and Click on the radio, share which station when contacting me for a special, generous discount on a variety of services, including the social workshop on June 1 in Warrenton (limited seating). ~ Jeff Crites

                           

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Social Media for Business Workshop

I'll be conducting a private social media for business workshop - special emphasis on Facebook - for a Winchester BNI Group on Wednesday,  May 25th, from 9am to 12pm, at Alcova Mortgage in Winchester.  I'm attending my first BNI meeting this morning with this group in Winchester, VA, and am always excited to discover new ways to network with business owners and professionals.  Taking part in regular business focused networking meet-ups are one of the best things I or anyone can do.  Being immersed in the Social Web each day is great ... but it's imperative to get out and 'hit the bricks', shake hands, pass out biz cards, and meet people face to face.  Of course I'll be doing what I advise all of my clients to do this morning:  making sure everyone knows how to easily find and follow/connect with me on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and this blog. It's those simple things like converting a 'brick' experience into 'click' connections that can add tremendous punch to your high value community building.  Those you meet face to face, those you help or interact with on a more personal level online via Twitter, Facebook, etc ... are much more likely to be interested in communicating, referring, sharing and networking in the future. Looking forward to hosting workshops again!  I'm available for private ones like this one, can come on site to do training for any business (local or anywhere), and will be posting 'open' workshops in various locations, mainly NoVA and the DC metro region.

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UPDATE:  Workshop has been pushed to Wed May 25, same time, same place (originally said May 17th in post)

June 5th Social Media and Online Presence Workshop - last call!

 

I'm hosting a social media/online presence workshop this Saturday, June 5th, at Iron Bridge Restaurant and Wine Company in Warrenton, VA, from 11a-3pm.  We'll be in the reserved Stone Cellar at Iron Bridge ... quite the cool venue ... and quite the fabulous food to be enjoyed as well.  If you would like to get up to speed on anything and everything having to do with the Social Web ... from Facebook to Twitter to Linkedin to blogs to the mobile space and so on ... this workshop will offer a lot of bang for modest buck. Aimed at business owners and business professionals, this hands-on workshop has limited seating, so call or email right away to reserve your seat.  Details on my Facebook Page. 

Fee:  $125 (includes meal and refreshments)
Email: jeff@brickandclick.com
Call:  540.729.2742

Tonight's a big night for one of my clients

 

One of my newest clients is Clockwork Home Services, parent company for three leading home services franchises:  Mister Sparky - "America's On-Time Electrician", Benjamin Franklin Plumbing - "The Punctual Plumber", and One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning - "Always on Time Or You Don't Pay a Dime". The three brands combined boast nearly 600 franchises across the U.S. 

If you're a fan of, or watch, TV's Celebrity Apprentice, you know that each episode involves a major brand in a marketing project that pits the two celebrity teams against each other.  Tonight's episode, at 8CT/9ET on NBC, challenges the contestants to create 30 second radio commercials for each of the three Clockwork brands.  This is exciting on multiple levels to me.  Obviously I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a client like Clockwork.  I also have a 13 year radio background, am deeply immersed in marketing, and love shows like this that challenge you to create a 'brand solution'.  This is the first time the home services industry has been featured on Celebrity Apprentice, so that's pretty cool as well.

If you watch tonight's show, and I hope you do, let me know what you think - especially the commercials created for the brands - via post comments.   If you'd like to connect with these brands on Twitter or Facebook (please welcome them, as they are fairly new to social media), see links below.  And lest I forget, there's a sweepstakes you can enter that's tied to the show and these three sponsors.  Click here  to enter the Trump Time is Money Sweepstakes for a chance to win $100,000.  

Mister Sparky

• Twitter
• Facebook

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

• Twitter
• Facebook

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

• Twitter
• Facebook

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FYI:  In case you're not aware, Bret Michaels, competior on Celebrity Apprentice and famous for being lead singer of the band Poison, had a massive stroke on Thursday, April 22, and has been in critical condition since. Here's an update on his condition, as of May 1st.  Tonight's episode of the Apprentice was filmed months before he suffered his unfortunate stroke.