Expanding Access to Digital Skills

Facebook Digital Promise has awarded GROW Nebraska, a grant to equip 100 entrepreneurs and marketers with the digital skills they need to compete in the new economy. Register for one of the remaining 17 slots today!

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2 Part Program

This self-study training is broken down into two classes that take participants through the skills they will need to do basic social media marketing for an organization or business.

Participants will learn the basics of social media marketing using Facebook and Instagram and have the opportunity to earn four micro-credentials (digital badges) that demonstrate the skills they have learned. This self-study course is designed to be short, hands-on, and practical.

Part #1

Module #1: Social Media Marketing Basics

Interested in building your business? Learn to use your Facebook Page to build awareness of your organization and connect with your audience.

Module #2: Marketing with Facebook Pages

Get the word out! Keep customers updated and informed on your latest company events, announcements, and products. Social media can help you connect with your customers and grow your business.

Module #3: Marketing with Facebook Ads

Participants will learn how to create a simple ad campaign for your organization that is in line with your specific business goals. Receive a $25 ad credit to test live Facebook Ads.

Part #2

Module #3: Marketing with Facebook Ads

Learn to manage and measure your ad performance.

Module #4: Marketing with Instagram

Understand key strategies on how to create content, post and ads that engage audiences.

Become An Expert – Learn by Doing

This self-study course is based on working with a REAL Facebook page. Take this course and start getting results through facebook for your

Business or organization you work for OR
Neighborhood sports team OR EVEN
Place of worship OR
Activity group

Participants will use their page to create awareness, drive traffic, and/or attract customers, and create ad campaigns in support of their facebook business page.

Build Your Portfolio

Earn $25 Ad Credit and 4 Micro-Credentials

Get started right with a $25 Facebook Ad allowance, plus earn four micro-credentials that can be displayed as a digital badge, on LinkedIN, Facebook and even your resume.

FAQ

Allow us to answer Frequently Asked Questions about why this Program is well worth your time.

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What are micro-credentials? And why are they important?

Micro-credentials are a form of competency-based recognition of professional learning that is personalized, valuable, and rigorous. Once you earn a micro-credential, it can be displayed as a digital badge on LinkedIN, Facebook, and/or your resume.

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Why this social media marketing workshop?

Because:

The digital skills gap is real – 8 in 10 jobs require digital skills
Many offerings of bootcamps, computer science classes in K-12, but not many efforts aimed at MIDDLE skills
We are aiming our this course at MIDDLE skills
Developed micro-credentials and curriculum to address middle skills

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What is the Value of Social Media Engagement?

“There is no ROI in anything if you don’t learn how to use it.” -Gary Vaynerchuk, Founder of VaynerMedia

There is a near consensus that social media marketing is valuable because it allows companies to directly engage with their customers, build brand presence, and ultimately sell more products. Read Article

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Top 10 Reasons Your Brand Needs to be on Facebook

Are you still waiting to be convinced of the value of Facebook for business? Is it really necessary?

Click Here for the top 10 reasons your brand needs to be on Facebook. Read through this list and then decide for yourself!

Free to the First 100 Registrants

GROW Nebraska just received a grant from Facebook Digital Promise, to provide this two part social media program for FREE to the first 100 participants, less than 20 remaining!

GROW Nebraska® is a nonprofit 501c3 providing training and education to Nebraska businesses.

GROW Nebraska® Foundation Headquarters Marketing & Innovation Center

Younes Campus
421 W Talmadge Street Suite #1 | Kearney, NE 68845
308.338.3520 | info@grownebraska.org

Buy Nebraska Gift Store

Younes Campus
421 W Talmadge Street Suite #1 | Kearney, NE 68845
308.338.3520| info@grownebraska.org

Contact Us

Merchant Services

Do you take credit cards? Do you want lower credit card processing fees? We have a merchant program with risk free comparison options that can save you money.

PRIME Grant to Assist Low-Income Entrepreneurs

In the prior PRIME grant, GROW Nebraska® purchased technology equipment for 50 low-income participants and began an intensive training program to teach them to use the technology effectively. The current grant extends that training and allows those who came in at the end of that project to receive additional training as well as bringing in new low- and very-low-income entrepreneurs and small business owners for exceptional training and market access services.

Access to Micro Loans

GROW Nebraska partners with organizations like Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Center For Rural Affairs, and Small Business Association (SBA) to help connect members with micro loans.

Google AdWords *

Through a Google AdWord Grant, GROW Nebraska® offers the opportunity for members to explore this feature at no cost, which can be a great addition to your marketing plan. Google AdWords is an online advertising program used to create ads to reach people that use the Google search tool, who are looking for specific products–like yours. All ads run through the GROW Nebraska Foundation's Website.

MarkeTech Conference

MarkeTech is more than a conference. It’s cutting edge training, valuable networking, and a technology showcase. Be inspired, be engaged, and work hands on with today’s most innovative tools.

MarkeTech provides organizations with tools and ideas advancing their businesses through collaboration between marketing and technology. As a member, save $100 on registration, learn more at www.marketechconference.org.

Free Monthly Training Webinars

Twice a month, on the third and fourth Thursdays, GROW Nebraska hosts free, open-to-the-public trainings. Participants can tune in from any location where they have phone or internet service. Each month GROW Nebraska® features different presenters and topics related to marketing or small business.

GROW Nebraska® also offers free Grow With Google Trainings the first Wednesday of every month. Our Google Trainings are offered in English and Spanish.

GROW Nebraska® Members are encouraged to tune into our "Tuesday Member Talks" which are for GROW Nebraska® Members only. Within these you can chat with staff and experts.

Visit our training page for information on future training dates and topics.

Upcoming Trainings

Social Media Training

Need help getting on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google Places? We offer free individual assistance to get you started in the social media world. This can be a valuable addition to your marketing plan. We will also post or repost information about your business on our social media platforms to make our followers turn into your followers, too, and you can feature videos about your business on our YouTube Channel.

Statewide Workshops

GROW Nebraska® offers a series of workshops focusing on technology and marketing for entrepreneurs. In today’s chaotic world, it is easy to get distracted by advertising proposals that derail our marketing budgets. Attending these workshops gives you a firsthand look at marketing and technology methods to increase the success of your next trip. Business owners, community leaders and marketing staff can accelerate their skills with a small investment of time and money.

Find out more about our upcoming workshops

One-on-One Consulting

We pride ourselves in communicating with our members about what they need and want. This service includes an initial consultation and as many follow-up conferences as each member desires.

"GROW Nebraska has provided marketing leads and encouragement to expand my markets." -Sharon Walde, Heirloom Treasures

"GROW Nebraska helped me find my niche in the market. I've been really happy with the services and opportunities that GROW has provided for me." -Ima Gene Mason, Im's Countryside Painting

eCommerce *

With the help of our ecommerce sites, our GROW Nebraska® members benefit from a strong web presence. Sell your products through our online platforms including BuyNebraska.com, Amazon and Ebay.

Shop Local

Selling and Wholesale

Members are able to join our Mark It to Market UPC program. ($25/code with $5 annual renewal fee). GROW Nebraksa has a UPC Program to help GROW Members get on Amazon and work with large businesses. GROW Nebraska works with number of partners for wholesale opportunities.

Exporting

GROW Nebraska® works hard to help Nebraska businesses reach markets far beyond Nebraska’s and our nation’s borders.

Retail*

GROW Nebraska members have opportunities to sell their products at our Kearney retail location on the Younes Campus, in pop-up stores and at the Nebraska State Fair.

Social Media

GROW Nebraska® is very active on social media, and we use these platforms to reach thousands of fans and followers with information about our members. Read our blog and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and Tiktok.

Market Testing*

Through our market testing program, you can take advantage of mall and airport traffic that you otherwise would not have access to. You can set up a table any day of the week at our Kearney retail store. You can offer samples or just talk about your product to potential customers. Customers want experiential shopping; they want to meet the artist, author, designer or manufacturer. Think about it like a farmer's market or craft show but without the booth fee! It is a great opportunity to launch a new product, get feedback on a current product, and build your brand.

Proud Member Sign

Every GROW Nebraska® member will receive a "Proud Member of GROW Nebraska®" sign to post in their retail location, office, home or booth.

Request Photography

TV Opportunities

GROW Nebraska's connections offer members the opportunity to take part in valuable promotional spots on television that have a statewide audience. The cost of these spots would be prohibitive for small businesses, but GROW members can be featured on the NTV Good Morning Nebraska television show through the GROW Nebraska® spot at no cost. Being featured on these shows gives GROW Nebraska’s clients state-wide exposure and helps them brand their name and product. Thousands of potential customers listen to these shows. This is a media that is effective, and thanks to GROW’s efforts, members can access this remarkable marketing asset at no cost.

Member Webpage

We provide all of our members with a webpage within our website. It's easy for members to update with the latest information, videos, photos, events, and job openings. This platform for the webpage is a powerful successful tool for search engine optimization (SEO) and is key for small businesses looking for exposure in today's marketplace.

Product Photography*

In the age of online shopping, stunning product photos are more important than ever. GROW Nebraska can help you make your products shine with professional photography.