[November 04, 2009] PubTalk tackles Twitter, Facebook: Those and other social networking Web sites can boost business, too Tweet Nov 04, 2009 (Baker City Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to give your business a boost is the topic of the last PubTalk meeting of the year Thursday evening at Carnegie Crossroads Art Center. The event starts at 5 p.m. The Art Center is at the corner of Second Street and Auburn Avenue. The cost is $5, and includes pizza, salad, beer or other beverage. People are encouraged to sign up online and pay at the door. The online registration address is www.registerevents.com/PubTalk Twitter and Facebook were originally viewed as personal information tools for groups of friends. They were not originally targeted or used for business or product promotion or communication, but Jake Jacobs, who works with the Small Business Development Center and is the business recruitment director for the Baker City/County economic development team, said the Web sites have evolved over time and are increasingly used for promotions and marketing. "A date to remember.... On Thursday August 6, 2009, Twitter was down for two hours. Facebook also had some problems. That incident highlighted the degree to which business people depended on online social networks to feel connected to their customers and the world," Jacobs said. This incident got the attention of many businesses who were not yet using social media in their business. Business owners across the country and in Baker City picked up on the idea that these social networking tools could be added to the existing Web site, e-mail, publications and other communication vehicles they were using, Jacobs said. Locally, several businesses, including Baker City Cafe, Kicks Sportswear, Mad Matilda's and The Sycamore Tree are using Facebook to help market their products and services. During Thursday's PubTalk, Internet access will be combined with overhead projector slides to show how the social networking sites are being used to promote businesses, products and services. Jacobs will emcee and kick-off the topic and then ask each of the panelists to explain how they use social media sites. Panelists include: --Mike Parrott , Ater Wynne, LLP, Portland Law firm, responsible for corporate communications and marketing for the Portland law firm. He will discuss the value and use of LinkedIn, a social media system for professionals to establish and communicate with their network of contacts. He also uses Constant Contact for communications with targeted members of the organization's network. --Ernie Bootsma, also from Ater Wynne, specializes in high-growth emerging companies. In addition to legal advice, he often encourages entrepreneurs to use social media. Ernie will discuss how he uses LinkedIn and Constant Contact to embellish existing communication methods. --Michael Howe, communications specialist for Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative, is responsible for OTEC's communications utilizing Web sites, speeches, e-mails, advertisements and publications, as well as the new social media networks. Howe will explain how Facebook, Twitter and Constant Contact can best be used for business, and he will do an online demonstration. Other highlights of Thursday's PubTalk include three, 5-minute pitches by entrepreneurs, including Phil Kochan of MyGroceryTools.com; Marilyn Spicer and Linda Hudson of Ideal Partners in Home Care; and Tom Bootsma of Bootsma Manufacturing. To see more of the Baker City Herald or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.bakercityherald.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Baker City Herald, Ore. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]