Back by Popular Demand: A Google Trainer Returns to MarkeTech

Back by Popular Demand: A Google Trainer Returns to MarkeTech

by | Mar 20, 2019 | GROW Blog, MarkeTech Conference 2019

Back by Popular Demand: A Google Trainer Returns to MarkeTech

In the fast-changing world of social media and technology, it can be hard to keep up with the latest and greatest methods for reaching customers and making sales.

GROW Nebraska is here to help with the 2019 MarkeTech Conference on Wednesday, April 3, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

Facebook and Google Advertising, SEO, boosting business with LinkedIn, cybersecurity and voice-activated search (like Amazon Alexa) are just a few of the topics that will be presented by professionals from Nebraska and across North America at this premier marketing and technology conference.

Keynote speaker Amanda Bond will travel to central Nebraska all the way from Canada to share her secrets for converting Facebook fans into customers. She has helped clients successfully create multi-million dollar product launches using Facebook ads. At MarkeTech, she will explain how to create revenue using both organic (non-paid) and paid methods.

 

Back by popular demand will be presentations from Google. Dave Meyer of Minnesota, a speaker with the Grow with Google program, will explain how customers find businesses online and how businesses can promote their online presence using a free business listing, search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and online advertising. He will also discuss how Google Analytics and Google Trends can help businesses.

Meyer will also present “Using Data to Drive Growth,” which will give marketers tools to help understand customer behavior online. He will teach attendees how to identify business goals and incorporate data into a marketing plan.

Meyer has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications and has presented digital marketing topics to thousands of people across the United States and Canada. His company, BizzyWeb, helps hundreds of clients Generate Buzz Without Getting Stung!

In addition to these national speakers, Nebraska professionals will present workshops as well:

  • Kelly Medwick, EVP of Business Development for Firespring in Lincoln, will present “5 Ways to Optimize Your Online Messages for Voice Search.” Her presentation will help attendees learn how voice search is changing the digital landscape, examine SEO/keyword strategy and develop a plan to implement easy, quick changes.

 

  • Brent Pohlman, CEO of Midwest Laboratories in Omaha, will present “How LinkedIn Can Work For You and Provide You With a Huge ROI.”

 

  • Ryan Kulhanek, owner of Interactive 360 Virtual Tours based in Minden, will discuss “Web Presence, Google and Multimedia.” His presentation is intended for anyone who is interested in increasing website traffic or business awareness through images and multimedia content.

 

  • Blake Peshek, owner of Provident Promotions in Hastings, will share tips for video and multi-media marketing strategies. He will explain how to create video content that is appealing to your target audience, how to convert viewers into customers and how to build a personal and professional brand through video.

 

  • Kelley Peterson, video president and nonprofit creative director for KidGlov, will discuss “Brandraising – How to Channel Marketing’s Rule of Seven.” She will share how to use a combination of indirect and direct communication channels to advance your brand and bring in dollars.

 

  • Todd Herges, Client Services Advocate at Intellicom in Kearney, will present CyberSecurity 101.

 

There is still time to register for MarkeTech. Early bird pricing has been extended until March 23. Register and see a full conference agenda at https://marketechconference.com/

Are Poor Images Holding Back Your Business?

Are Poor Images Holding Back Your Business?

by | Mar 19, 2019 | GROW Blog, MarkeTech Conference 2019

Are Poor Images Holding Back Your Business?

Do you have a great product or service but can’t figure out why sales are slow?

The problem could be poor quality marketing images or a lack of images on your Google presence.

Ryan Kulhanek, owner of Interactive 360 Virtual Tours based in Minden, will present “Web Presence, Google and Multimedia” at one of the break-out sessions at GROW Nebraska’s MarkeTech conference on Wednesday, April 3.

“Lots of small businesses may be good at what they do, but they take their marketing images for granted,” Ryan said.

View Conference Agenda >

His presentation is intended for anyone who is interested in increasing website traffic or business awareness through images and multimedia content. He said quality images and photos should be a top priority, not an afterthought.

Ryan specializes in creating 360-degree multimedia tours for business promotion. He has traveled across the state and country creating 360 images for hospitals, colleges, fitness clubs, hotels, museums, resorts and sporting venues. See examples on his business website (http://interactive360tours.com/)

Many of his clients are large businesses, but Ryan said he has a passion for helping small business owners as well. After all, he is one, too. Ryan started two businesses right out of college and is still growing both of them. His other business is Rockit Event Pros, which rents inflatables, climbing walls and other adventure equipment for community and business events.

At MarkeTech, Ryan will share tips and resources for creating professional-quality images on Google and Google Street View. Ryan said statistics show that Google listings with quality images are viewed longer and more often than those without.

Ryan will conclude his presentation with a Q & A session to promote discussion and ideas from other business owners attending.

The early-bird registration deadline for MarkeTech is March 23. Now is a great time to join GROW Nebraska to receive the best conference rate of $49 for GROW Nebraska members and $199 for non-members. The price increases to $149 for members and $299 for non-members after March 23. Register here.

Register for MarkeTech

Russ’s Market Sponsors 2019 Nebraska Best Local Product Award

Russ’s Market Sponsors 2019 Nebraska Best Local Product Award

by | Mar 9, 2019 | GROW Blog, MarkeTech Conference 2019

Russ’s Market Sponsors 2019

Nebraska Best Local Product Award

One GROW Nebraska member will receive a special award at the 2019 MarkeTech conference.

Russ’s Market will present the Nebraska Best Local Product Award to a business that sells products in its stores and excels in marketing and promoting that product.

“It’s not necessarily the business that has the highest sales,” said Marty Jarvis, director of marketing for Russ’s Market. “We also look for the one who works the hardest to sell their product and who works the best with us. Do they work with our category managers and department directors? Do they do things to help the product sell? It’s not just one thing.”

Russ’s is the largest employee-owned grocery store chain in the state and has 18 locations across Nebraska including Russ’s Market, Super Saver and Apple Market. The company is headquartered in Lincoln.

“We are proud to be a part of the GROW Nebraska MarkeTech event with the award,” Marty said. “We think supporting Nebraska products is important, and we want to continue to do that.”

This will be the second year that the award is presented. In 2018, the first Russ’s Market Nebraska Best Local Product Award went to Cooper’s Best Flour, which manufactures all-whole-wheat pancake and biscuit mixes made from wheat milled in Nebraska.

Cooper’s Best Flour accepting their Russ’s Market Nebraska Best Local Product Award at the 2018 MarkeTech Conference. 

GROW CEO Janell Anderson Ehrke said “developing” businesses may find great success in working with Russ’s to grow their sales because they are such a large and supportive grocery-store chain.

“We are so excited to partner with Russ’s on this award,” Janell said. “It’s a big Nebraska store helping Nebraska businesses grow.”

For more information about Russ’s Market, please visit the company’s GROW Nebraska profile page.

Register Now!

Attend MarkeTech to Learn How LinkedIn Can Grow Your Business

Attend MarkeTech to Learn How LinkedIn Can Grow Your Business

by | Feb 26, 2019 | GROW Blog, MarkeTech Conference 2019

Attend MarkeTech to Learn How LinkedIn Can Grow Your Business

Many business owners have found success with Facebook and Instagram, but what about LinkedIn? How can LinkedIn help grow your business, and is it worth the time?

Brent Pohlman, CEO of Midwest Laboratories, says yes.

LinkedIn has helped his growing company improve recruiting, increase brand recognition and gain more quality contacts.

“I think LinkedIn is one of the best networking tools,” Pohlman said. “Investing time in LinkedIn is one of the best decisions you will make if you want to grow your business.”

View Conference Agenda >

Pohlman will give a presentation on “How LinkedIn Can Work For You and Provide You With a Huge ROI” at GROW Nebraska’s MarkeTech conference on Tuesday, April 3, in Kearney.

He will show attendees how LinkedIn can boost marketing and sales, help recruit quality employees and foster quality network connections.

Pohlman said Linkedin can be a difference maker in a business.

“And the best news is you can do it with limited dollar resources,” he said. “It is really a matter of building the right relationships.”

Pohlman’s company, Midwest Laboratories, is an Omaha-based business that provides lab testing for the agricultural, food and beverage, pet food, feed, environmental and alternative fuel industries. Brent’s father started the company in 1975. Brent has worked at the company since 2005 and became the president and CEO in 2018.

The company employs a team of 167, and part of Pohlman’s goals are to continue to grow the business by attracting and retaining the best employees possible. Brent values his faith-based principles and looks for ways to continue to infuse those principles into his daily operations.

Find out more about Midwest Laboratories by visiting its GROW Nebraska member profile page. https://members.grownebraska.org/list/member/midwest-laboratories-omaha-9390

The early-bird registration deadline for MarkeTech is March 23. Now is a great time to join GROW Nebraska to receive the best conference rate of $49 for GROW Nebraska members and $199 for non-members. The price increases to $149 for members and $299 for non-members after March 23. Register here.

Register for MarkeTech