Social media is revolutionizing the way we use the Internet, and its low- or no-cost tools can be used by small businesses to achieve remarkable results. Join instructor Victoria Compton to learn more about social media and SIM – social influence marketing.

The course will start out with a basic overview of social media and SIM – definitions, best practices, and most effective platforms.  Then it will cover tutorials on setting up a Facebook fan page, a Twitter account, a YouTube channel, and tracking SIM campaigns using tools like Google Analytics.

Additionally, the class will look at SEO – search engine optimization – with an eye toward results in both regional and global search engines and markets.  The participants will leave the workshop with all the tools they’ll need to create a robust marketing program through social media.

Workshop instructor Victoria Compton has worked for over 20 years in marketing and advertising.  She founded At Home Magazine and published the first three official Visitors’ Guides to the San Juans in collaboration with the SJI Visitors’ Bureau. She also worked for 5 years as a marketing consultant in Manhattan and the NY metro area, with a particular focus on helping small- to mid-sized companies get the word out about their products and services with very small marketing budgets.

Date: Thursday, March 24, from 9-2. Cost: $60. Advance registration and payment required – class size is limited, so please reserve your space early.  Sponsored by the San Juan County Economic Development Council and hosted by Skagit Valley College, 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor. For more information: 378-2906 or info@sanjuansedc.org.