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CVB to host free e-marketing program
Published Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Natchez merchants, hoteliers, restaurateurs, bed and breakfast operators, and anyone else who is interested in making their way into the mainstream of electronic marketing, is invited to attend a free seminar titled “How to brand through social media,” at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center at 9:30 a.m. Monday.
Jaci Russo, senior partner of The Russo Group, a Lafayette, La., based advertising and marketing firm, has 16 years of branding experience on a national and regional level, and brings that branding experience into the social media arena.
Jaci will present a two-hour program on how to get into electronic marketing and what it can do for your business.
The most commonly known social networking platforms are MySpace and Facebook, but there are a number of others coming on strong in the social networking world. Twitter, Digg and Socializr are climbing their way up the social networking ladder, and others are coming online daily. For obvious reasons, it’s simply a great way to connect.
Social media is not advertising, nor is it about selling a product or service. It’s about conversation and connects people together to share experiences, opinions, ideas and so forth.
Through the connections you establish, ongoing relationships develop with people around the globe that become a part of your realm, that have dozens if not hundreds of people in their realm.
What this means to your business is invaluable “word of mouth” promotion.
Imagine a Facebook conversation between two women, one of whom just spent a weekend in Natchez with her husband.
She beams about the wonderful dinner they had at Monmouth and boasts about the incredible view of the river from the porch of the cottage they booked at A Sunset View Bed and Breakfast.
She goes on to talk about the fudge she bought at Darby’s and the carriage ride through the historic district. And every word is viewed by the 97 “friends” that each of them has connected to their site. And that is just a drop in the bucket of what e-marketing can do.
If you are the least bit curious about blogging, social networking, viral marketing, Web sites or branding, then we encourage you to attend this free seminar. Registration is necessary, so please call the Natchez Visitor Center at 601-446-6345 to register no later than Friday.
Space is already filling up, and if the 9:30 session fills up, there will be a second presentation Monday afternoon at 1:30 so that everyone has an opportunity to attend.
Sally Durkin is the publicity director for the Natchez Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Comments
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 7, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is this "Jaci Russo, senior partner of The Russo Group, a Lafayette, La., based advertising and marketing firm?"
And why would she/he be doing a free seminar?
Posted by SDurkin (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Gary...Jaci is an advertising and marketing expert and she's doing the seminar as a favor to the CVB and the people of Natchez, and all she asked in return is that I video the seminar so she can use it for educational purposes in the future. Hope this answers your questions.
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hopefully, someone will take some notes and apply it to Natchez and not just talk about how to do it and how it can make a difference.
can't tell there is much movement in e-marketing at all round here.
Get your pencil out Sally and put it into action, not words.
Posted by SDurkin (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's all going into action on the new web site...You Tube, Podcasting, Facebook, and so forth. I've had my pencil spilling lead for a long time.
Posted by SDurkin (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole purpose of the seminar is to educate area business owners about how electronic marketing can help them promote their businesses; and in most cases, at no cost to them. The reason you don't see much "movement" in e-marketing around here, is because no one has brought the idea or "how to" of it to people's attention. Until now; and I would hope that the CVB would finally get a pat on the back for bringing it to the table instead of the usual criticism it receives.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 7, 2009 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if you are wanting participation, why is the method for a reservation for attentenance (sp) a telephone call.
Why not an email to the CVB?
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
go get em Sal.....
Posted by bayougranny (anonymous) on January 7, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've already registered. This will be a great marketing tool for both sides of the river.
Posted by Anatchezvisitor (anonymous) on January 8, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez is a wonderful city, charming in many ways. But it is time for the city to move into the 21st Century.
What a wonderful idea the CVB is doing...I have visited Natchez for several years. While the 50's were wonderful, and it is nice (at first) to go back in time, it is most shocking to find so many businesses still doing business under the mindset of the 50's. Wake up people it is the day of plastic money, internet presence and communication. And the day should not end at 4:00. Gee we had a hard time finding even a drug store open after 8PM.
Working together to find a way to keep the charm that is Natchez while using modern methods is not a bad idea.
NOTE: I am in the tourist business as well in another popular destination area.
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