This document discusses how Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) can use social media more effectively. It recommends that SBDCs adopt a uniform social media strategy using consistent hashtags like #SBDC. The document provides examples of how individual SBDCs have gained exposure and developed relationships with stakeholders by posting on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest. It emphasizes sharing client success stories and center activities while developing connections with funders and legislators.

1. www.pasbdc.org 1

2. How SBDC’s
Are Using Social Media
www.pasbdc.org 2

3. Introductions
• Keith Yurgosky – University of Scranton (PA) SBDC
• Kelly Cofrancisco – Pennsylvania SBDC Lead
Office
www.pasbdc.org 3

4. The Problem .. Continues !
SBDC’s being known as
“The Best Kept Secret”
This isn’t helping SBDCs get noticed by
stakeholders (our funding sources)
www.pasbdc.org 4

5. What We Need
Develop a uniform SBDC brand across
multiple Social Media platforms.
•Common Posts
•Consistent use of the #SBDC hashtag
•Targeted Tweets and Status Updates
to our Stakeholders (and anybody who’ll
listen)
www.pasbdc.org 5

6. Currently
We have hundreds of SBDCs posting on
social media with no
consistent message
www.pasbdc.org 6

7. What if all the SBDC’s acted as one
cohesive unit?
Using Social Media to let Federal & State
Representative’s know every time a new
business opens or jobs are created !!
www.pasbdc.org 7

8. Where Do We Start ?
Answer: Use the SBDC Hashtag
#SBDC
www.pasbdc.org 8

9. www.pasbdc.org 9

10. #SBDC
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest YouTube
www.pasbdc.org 10

11. Using the hashtag #PA11 got our
Center noticed by US
Congressman Lou Barletta’s staff.
This allowed our SBDC to develop
a relationship with an important
stakeholder.
www.pasbdc.org 11

12. Target Stakeholders
www.pasbdc.org 12

13. Using the hashtag #PA10 got our
Center a visit by US Rep. Tom
Marino.
We were then invited to a
meeting Rep. Marino was having
with an SBDC client.
www.pasbdc.org 13

14. Other Stakeholders
• SBA
• State
• Universities
• Other
funding
partners
www.pasbdc.org 14

15. Blogging
• It’s free
• Search engine friendly
• Good starting point
scrantonsbdc.wordpress.com
www.pasbdc.org 15

16. Blogging
• Highlight Clients
• Share Expertise
• Promote Educational
Programs
www.pasbdc.org 16

17. • Highlight Client
Grand
Openings
• Success Stories
• Anything
Newsworthy
www.pasbdc.org 17

18. • Highlight Consultant Expertise
www.pasbdc.org 18

19. • Promote SBDC
Offerings
• Share posts on other
social media
platforms
www.pasbdc.org 19

20. Share blog
posts on other
social media
platforms
www.pasbdc.org 20

21. “Blogging allows SBDC
consultants a forum to share
their years of consulting
experience with others.”
www.pasbdc.org 21

22. www.pasbdc.org 22

23. Facebook
Most popular Social Media platform. By
2014 every SBDC should have a Facebook
page.
• Stay in touch with clients, stakeholders.
• Use #SBDC hashtag in all posts.
• “Like” & “Share” posts from local
businesses, legislators, and other #SBDCs
www.pasbdc.org 23

24. Share Content from Legislators
(As long as it’s not political)
www.pasbdc.org 24

25. Create custom
hashtags for SBDC
events and track
using keyhole.co or
tagboard.com
#ASBDC2014
www.pasbdc.org 25

26. www.pasbdc.org 26

27. www.pasbdc.org 27

28. Use of popular
hashtags such as
#SocialMedia
will boost the views
of your Facebook
posts.
www.pasbdc.org 28

29. • Always use the #SBDC
hashtag
• Interact with followers
Conversation should never
be one-sided
www.pasbdc.org 29

30. www.pasbdc.org 30

31. So how can Twitter help ?
• Listen first!
• Use the Twitter Search to listen for your
SBDC, other SBDCs, or words that relate to
your #smallbiz location
• Hashtag.org (#)
• Participate by asking questions
• Share information (re-tweet)
www.pasbdc.org 31

32. www.pasbdc.org 32

33. ReTweet Other SBDCs
www.pasbdc.org 33

34. Popular ReTweets
• Other SBDCs
• Stakeholders
• SBDC Clients
www.pasbdc.org 34

35. www.pasbdc.org 35

36. www.pasbdc.org 36

37. If a picture tells a
thousand words …
imagine what a
video can do??
www.pasbdc.org 37

38. YouTube
• Create short small business tips and/or
How to Videos
• Highlight SBDC Clients
• Testimonials
• Use YouTube as a Search Engine (#SBDC)
www.pasbdc.org 38

39. Florida SBDC Intake Video
Embedded on their website for new clients to watch and learn
about the intake process, helps to explain the process visually.
www.pasbdc.org 39

40. Kentucky SBDC – Consultant Qualities
This video highlights the qualities of a good business consultant
and explains how the SBDC’s experienced staff can help.
www.pasbdc.org 40

41. Videos to Use Internally with
SBDC Network Staff
Target Audience: SBDC
consultants (primary), program
stakeholders (secondary)
www.pasbdc.org 41

42. Florida SBDC Service Awards
Great way to highlight their staff in a visual way and
share through social media!
www.pasbdc.org 42

43. Informational Videos
Target Audience: Established
companies or previous SBDC clients
who are growing (great target for
deliverables!)
www.pasbdc.org 43

44. California SBDC – SBDC Minute
Clients are asked to give advice on a specific topic in one
minute, great way to highlight clients and share knowledge.
www.pasbdc.org 44

45. Louisiana SBDC – Specialized Services
In depth interviews with clients and explanations of their FastTrac, SEBD, and
Economic Gardening services. Shows the breadth of SBDC services.
www.pasbdc.org 45

46. Kentucky SBDC – Educational Series
This video has almost 3,000 views! Good way to provide in-depth content for established
business owners and leverage expert speakers for more online exposure.
www.pasbdc.org 46

47. Tarrant TX SBDC – Testimonials
Great way to get client and SBDC exposure!
www.pasbdc.org 47

48. Videos to Promote SBDC
Events
Target Audience: Current/former
SBDC clients and future clients
www.pasbdc.org 48

49. Ohio SBDC – Growth Summit
Highlight reel of conference recaps speakers and is a
great piece to show future sponsor or speaker prospects.
www.pasbdc.org 49

50. Ohio SBDC – Growth Summit Teasers
Short videos introduce keynote and breakout speakers, serving as a
great build-up for the event and motivation for more registrants.
www.pasbdc.org 50

51. Videos for External
Stakeholders
Target Audience: Legislators,
funders, or host representatives
www.pasbdc.org 51

52. Indiana SBDC – Companies to Watch
Video featured high growth companies, a great way to show the
high growth potential companies the SBDC is working with.
www.pasbdc.org 52

53. New Mexico SBDC – Policymaker
Interviews
Interviews with state legislators show the impact of the
SBDC program and lend credibility. Great testimonials!
www.pasbdc.org 53

54. Promote Your Videos!
• Share them on Twitter, Facebook, and
other social media outlets
• Add links to your email signature, and
change the video link/message each
month
• Include videos on your SBDC website
www.pasbdc.org 54

55. Promote Your Videos! (Con’t)
• Link videos in your e-newsletters
• Show videos to kick-off in-person events
and training seminars
• Embed video success stories in your
SBDC’s annual report using an interactive
PDF viewer
www.pasbdc.org 55

56. www.pasbdc.org 56

57. Pinterest - What to Post ?
• Highlight Clients
• SBDC Events
• Local Attractions
• Client Products
• Infographics
• Inspirational Quotes
www.pasbdc.org 57

58. www.pasbdc.org 58

59. www.pasbdc.org 59

60. Another opportunity to
promote stakeholder
relationship !
www.pasbdc.org 60

61. Another platform to
spread the #SBDC
hashtag !
www.pasbdc.org 61

62. What SBDCs are Posting
Center-Specific Information
• Client Photos, Success Stories, and Client
Products
• Upcoming Seminar Information
• Photos and Bios of SBDC Staff
• Boards Dedicated to Large SBDC Events
(real-time updates)
• Center News
www.pasbdc.org 62

63. What SBDCs are Posting (con’t)
Credible Resources and Information
• Resources from SBA, other reliable
sources
• Small Business Infographics/Statistics
• Topic or Industry Specific Pins (i.e.,
international trade, intellectual property)
• If it is useful, it will be shared!
www.pasbdc.org 63

64. What SBDCs are Posting (con’t)
Fun and Informal
• Motivational Quotes
• Small Business memes or other funny
graphics
• Remember, this is SOCIAL media!
www.pasbdc.org 64

65. Promoting your SBDC on Pinterest
• Search for your SBDC, see who is posting
about you, you might be surprised!
• Re-pin/re-post or like those who shared
information about your SBDC
• Share all images on Pinterest that you are
sharing on other social media sites
www.pasbdc.org 65

66. Promoting your SBDC on Pinterest
(Con’t)
• Be sure to use all relevant hashtags
across social media platforms to track your
reach
• Encourage clients to follow your page,
integrate your Pinterest page into other
marketing campaigns
• Keep track of trends on Pinterest (and
other social platforms as well) to make
your posts more relevant
www.pasbdc.org 66

67. Social Media Guidelines
www.pasbdc.org 67

68. SBDC Social Media Considerations
• Communicating with clients on social media could
violate client privacy policies, always take the
conversation offline when needed
• Make sure you have approval from a client before
posting photos or any other information about their
company
– If you are sharing something THEY posted, you
should be in the clear!
• Keep personal and SBDC accounts separate
• Refer to your network’s social media policy or
consider drafting one if you do not have one in
place
www.pasbdc.org 68

69. Branding & Social Media
• #SBDC should be added to all marketing
materials
• Branding guidelines should be extended to
cover photos, infographics, and other web
graphics used in social media
• Social media is an extension of your
brand!
www.pasbdc.org 69

70. Hashtags
• Consistent use of hashtags across the
nationwide network of SBDCs is critical to
raising the profile of the SBDC program
• We encourage everyone to continue to
use #SBDC in your posts and re-post
messages used with this hashtag!
www.pasbdc.org 70

71. Hashtags Cont.
• Research popular hashtags
(talkwalker.com) and use them to get
additional exposure & gain more followers.
#SBDC #StartUp
www.pasbdc.org 71

72. What Do You Need To Do ?
Listen – your clients and stakeholders will tell you things …
both good and bad. Thank them for positive comments
Participate - unlike traditional advertising where you receive
a message … in today's world - you respond
REMEMBER
Your goal is not to control the conversation … but to
become a part of the conversation --- and learn!
www.pasbdc.org 72

73. Questions?
www.pasbdc.org 73

74. Don’t forget to rate this workshop in
the Conference APP
How to rate the session
In the mobile app, select the workshop you attended.
Select Rate session.
Enter your ratings and comments
Submit your rating.
Once you submit the rating, Press the
button on the main dashboard.
www.pasbdc.org 74

75. Thank you!
AdLin Building, 1st Floor
600 Linden Street
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510
Phone: (570) 941-7588
Fax: (570) 941-4053
E-mail: sbdc@scranton.edu
www.scrantonsbdc.com
@ScrantonSBDC
@PASmallBusiness
www.pasbdc.org 75