Social media is a powerful tool. Whether you’re snappin’ on Snapchat or laying down filters on Insta, these outlets have a widespread and powerful reach for your company. But as with any tool, a bit of training is needed to use social media effectively.

That’s why four Iowa organizations have partnered to create the Social Media Summit for Small Businesses. Tired of receiving so many separate requests for social media training, the four came together to highlight experts in the small business arena who are using social media effectively.

Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Social Connections LLC, and NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center will be hosting the conference on Saturday, October 24, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Muse Norris Conference Center on the NIACC Campus in Mason City. You can register online at www.marketingmidwest.town.

“We’ve been building this conference all year and are dedicated to bringing in presenters who contribute the most for small businesses,” said Sara Broers, primary for Social Connections LLC. “These are people who’ve walked the walk.”

Speakers and topics

• Shannon Latham, Vice President of Latham Hi Tech Seeds and Enchanted Acres: Using social media as another marketing tool for your small business.
• Lori Lite, Stress Free Kids: How social media marketing led to real world sales and fed the famous Shark Tank investor. Using Twitter as an effective tool.
• Professor Kelli Bloomquist, Digital Mass Communication Iowa Central Community College: Building Your Online Presence.
• North Iowa Bloggers: Assistance with setting up Facebook Business Pages
• Darcy Maulsby, Farmer Paparazzi and rural marketer: Shoot! How to Dramatically Improve Your Social Media Photos
• Noah and Brooke Kupcho, Wolftree Magazine: Instagram and building your business
• Tony Hoover, Hoover’s Hatchery: How we used social media to reinvigorate a 70-year old family business to multiple year-over-year sales growth greater than 30%.
• Small Business Panel: Tips, Suggestions, and Answers on Using Social Media as another tool in your small business arsenal.
• Scott Meyer, 9Clouds.com digital literacy for businesses: Keynote Speaker Predictive Social Media: Growing Business and Changing a Community

Shout out to Fargo locals, the Kupchos, who certainly do know how to Instagram like a boss. (30.5K followers doesn’t lie.)

Tim Coffey, Executive Director of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that with this line up, the educational value of this conference would normally cost thousands of dollars as well as days away from work.

“It’s exciting to know that in one day, our members can learn many new ways to market their business and leave with a toolkit to help grow their business,” Coffey said.

There are two tracks for attendees, Track A and Track B.  Track A is geared toward the beginner. Shannon Latham, the Kupcho’s, and Scott Meyer presentations will be given to everyone. In addition, all attendees will leave with a digital toolkit to take this information home and be able to implement their new social media mastery.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to conferences and didn’t use the information I learned,” said Deb Brown, Executive Director of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce.  “We’re providing a digital toolkit that the attendee can take home and actually use. Small businesses are extremely busy, we know that. We’re looking at providing tools they can actually use to help their businesses grow.”

Seating is limited to 250 people and those seats are filling up fast! Visit www.marketingmidwest.town and register today. Early Bird registration is $49.99 until September 1 and includes lunch.

Photos courtesy of MarketingMidwest