Oakland County offers Facebook workshops

Business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend workshops in April offered by the Oakland County Business Center. This month, they are offering a series of three Facebook workshops in addition to the regular monthly seminars. held at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township.
For registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call 248-858-0783.
Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (CEED) Microloan Orientation— Many small business owners face obstacles when trying to obtain a business loan. Topics discussed at this workshop include the requirements and process necessary to apply and obtain a microloan. This workshop is 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 4. It is free, but registration is required.
Business Research: Feasibility to Expansion is for those thinking of starting a business and business owners who want to benchmark profit margin and other measures against similar size businesses in the industry. This workshop is presented by the Oakland County Business Center, Market Research Division and an Oakland County Public Library business reference librarian. It is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 4. It is free but registration is required.
Fundamentals of Marketing Your Business — Marketing is an essential of business success. techniques and marketing principles to help promote products and services to the most promising customers. Presented by The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC), this workshop is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 4. The fee is $40 per person.
Small Business Loan Workshop — Learn the “5 C’s of Credit,” how to develop a winning loan proposal. Presented by The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Oakland County Business Center, this workshop is 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 5. The fee is $20 per person and includes handouts and SBA Source Book. Make checks payable to SCORE.
Facebook for Business (Beginner) — Facebook and social media is a powerful business tool that can connect businesses with customers, potential customers and the world. This workshop is 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 10. The fee is $40 per person.
Fundamentals of Starting a Business is a seminar for anyone thinking about going into business. Participants examine their entrepreneurial skills, learn how to implement their ideas and receive a list of pitfalls to avoid when starting a business. This workshop is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 11. The fee is $30 person.
Oakland County Venture Forward is an 11-week program designed for owners, CEOs and top management team members of businesses with at least two years of operating experience. The class is 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 13 through June 15. The fee is $299 per person. All applicants need to be pre-qualified.
Facebook for Business (Intermediate) — In this Intermediate session of Facebook for Business attendees establish social media objectives and goals for Facebook, create a Facebookstrategy and schedule. Prerequisite for this session is Facebook for Business Beginner. This class is 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 17. The fee is $40 per person.
Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan is a workshop for small business owners who are developing a plan to serve as their road map to success. Workshop participants learn what elements are commonly found in effective plans and work on developing each of these for their own business. The workshop is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 18. The fee is $40 per person.
Oakland County CRA Association: Small Business Money Smart (Banker’s) Forum — This free financial forum, sponsored by the Oakland County Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Association, offers entrepreneurs up-to-date information on sources of funds and valuable business support resources. Bank-ready entrepreneurs can meet one-on-one with bankers. The presenters are representatives from the City of Pontiac, Pontiac Regional Chamber of Commerce, Oakland County CRA Association members (bankers), Oakland County Business Consultants, Oakland County Business Finance Corporation Loan Officers, Oakland County CEED Microlender and Detroit Micro-Enterprise Fund lender. This workshop is 8 a.m. to noon Friday, April 20. Registration is required.
Legal & Financial Basics for Small Business provides new and existing Michigan entrepreneurs an understanding of the “key” legal and financial considerations when starting and operating a business in Michigan. Presented by Witzke Berry & Carter PLLC, this workshop is 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 24. This workshop is free, registration is required.
Facebook for Business (Advanced)— In this Advanced session of Facebook for Business attendees will establish objectives and goals for a Facebook campaign, create and Launch a Facebook campaign, build a complete multi-channel, social media-enabled marketing strategy, grow your base of fans and engage participants, learn how to advertise with Facebook, and how to effectively target your advertisements and learn how to run effective Facebook promotions and/or sweepstakes.
Prerequisites for this session are Facebook for Business (Beginner) and Facebook for Business (Intermediate).
This class is 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. The fee is $40 per person.
5 Keys to Achieving Fiscal Fitness — This workshop provides the business owner an in-depth look at the essentials of using financial information to make effective decisions about improving their business performance. This class will be held on Thursday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to noon. The fee is $25 per person.
For registration and location specifics, visit www.oakgov.com/peds/calendar or call 248-858-0783.