GROW Nebraska®

Creating a Marketing Plan That Works: A Step-by-Step Guide for Startups
2024-05-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Live Stream
Step into the world of strategic marketing with Josefina Loza as she guides startups through the process of developing a comprehensive marketing plan. Learn to set clear objectives, identify your target audience, select the most effective marketing channels, and measure your success to ensure your startup’s growth.
Key Takeaways:
● Define clear marketing objectives aligned with your startup’s goals.
● Identify and understand your target audience for tailored marketing efforts.
● Choose the right mix of marketing channels to reach your audience effectively.
● Implement metrics to track success and adapt strategies as needed.

Use YouTube to Grow Your Business
2024-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Learn how to use YouTube and the power of video to promote your business or brand.
In this workshop we’ll cover:
– How to create a YouTube channel
– Adding videos and organize your channel
– How to promote your business with video ads

ALLO's growth and leveraging social media to find new teammates
2024-04-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Get an overall social strategy that emphasizes audience targeting, platform selection, A/B testing, creativity, content calendar creation, and simplicity. It focuses on tailoring content to various demographics, utilizing suitable platforms, testing content performance, repurposing successful posts, and utilizing free or low-cost creative tools. It also underscores the importance of consistency and authenticity in content creation, advising against the use of stock images and overly complex designs while advocating for concise messaging.
Key takeaways include:
– Audience Targeting
– Platform Selection
– A/B Testing
– Creativity and Resourcefulness
– Content Calendar
– Simplicity and Authenticity

SEO Bootcamp: Turning Your Website into a Lead-Generation Machine
2024-04-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Optimizing your website for Search Engines to generate leads for your business is a strategy used by millions of companies around the globe. With all of the information (and misinformation) out there, it can be difficult to know where to start with SEO, and if it’s even a viable strategy for your business or not.
In this session, Senior SEO Strategist Adam Di Frisco will cover all of the basics of SEO:
– What is SEO and how successful can it be as a marketing strategy?
– Is SEO a worthwhile strategy for your business?
– What is the ROI on SEO?
– How to get started developing an SEO strategy
Join us for an hour that will prepare you to start getting leads from online searchers and kickstart your business’s digital marketing strategy!

Power Your Business with AI
2024-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Using Chat GPT, Google Bard, Google Drive Tools and AI can benefit your business. This workshop is designed to demystify AI, highlight its practical applications in small business scenarios, and provide a clear roadmap to kickstart your AI journey.
Key takeaways include:
– AI Demystified
– Practical Applications
– Hands-On Experience
– Clear Roadmap
– Business Benefits
– Strategic Insights

Budget-Friendly Marketing for Small Businesses
2024-03-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Unlock the potential of cost-effective marketing strategies tailored for small businesses. This webinar, led by marketing expert Josefina Loza, dives into the essentials of social media marketing, email campaigns, creative content creation, and community engagement. Discover practical tactics to enhance your brand’s visibility and grow your customer base without overstretching your budget.
Key Takeaways:
● Leverage social media platforms to connect with your audience effectively.
● Utilize email marketing to nurture leads and drive conversions.
● Create compelling content that resonates with your target market.
● Engage with your community to build brand loyalty and advocacy.

How to get the most out of Microsoft Office
2024-03-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Find out tips and tricks to get the most out of Outlook, Excel, and Word and the other programs within the Office 365 suite of products. Bring your questions and try to stump the presenter – she has over 30 years experience with Microsoft Products.
Key takeaways include:
– How to triage your email using Outlook
– Using Tables in Microsoft Excel manage your lists
– Using programs like Microsoft ToDo
– How a Pivot Table in Excel will change how you look at data

Build a business with Amazon
2024-02-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
In this session, learn how you can build a business with Amazon, including selling in our store, becoming a Delivery Service Partner, self-publishing with Kindle Direct Publishing and much more. We will also share information on the resources and programs Amazon has to help enable small business success.
Key takeaways include:
– Learn the different opportunities to start selling in Amazon’s store, including creating merch for Amazon’s store & publishing your content through Kindle
– Learn how becoming a Delivery Service Partner or signing up for Amazon Flex can move you closer to your personal and professional goals
– Learn the resources provided by Amazon to help enable the success of small businesses and entrepreneurs

Launch Your Business with Customer Focused Marketing
2024-02-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
As a new entrepreneur, you’ll need more than good products or services to grow your business. It’s also important to have strong customer-focused marketing strategies to reach your audience and turn them into loyal customers.
In this workshop, you will learn how to:
– Create a compelling brand
– Define your audience
– Convert customers
– Build loyalty and advocacy

Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act Opportunity
2024-01-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Have you ever dreamed of starting a business? Maybe you’ve started and are looking to take things to the next level. Starting a business can be hard—and it’s even harder if you don’t have access to the right resources or know-how. This webinar will feature information about the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act and grant qualifications.
Legislation was passed during the 2023 Legislative session LB450 which provided funding for this opportunity. The GROW Nebraska Foundation and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development have been charged with developing and administering the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act.
The north star intent of this Program is to stimulate and support underserved individuals seeking to start new or nascent existing small businesses. Two Benefits. The Act authorizes and the Program provides two benefits to qualified individuals:
1. Funding access to professional business development services.
2. Provision of small business startup and expansion grants.
This online webinar will be a learning session about grant qualifications and how to apply. In addition, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. It will be a live in person webinar.

How to start selling in Amazon's store | Two Part Amazon Series
2024-01-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
In this session, discover if you’re ready to sell in Amazon’s store and how to get started. Learn the fundamentals of selling with Amazon including what to sell and when, how to list and deliver your products, and how to grow and scale your brand online. We will also share information on the resources and programs Amazon has to help enable small business success.
Key takeaways include:
– Learn if you’re ready to start selling in Amazon’s store, what to sell and when.
– Learn how to start selling in Amazon’s store, to include listing and delivering your products.
– Learn how to grow and scale your brand online, to include resources and programs Amazon has to help enable success for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A Year in Review - Metrics that Matter
2024-01-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
What metrics matter to determine your 2023 year review? How to make sure you’re set up for success in 2024. By measuring the right metrics, businesses can make data-driven decisions to improve their marketing strategies and see better results. This seminar will empower participants to stop wasting time and money on ineffective marketing and start using metrics to drive success.

Mastering Product Photography with Your Phone: The Basics
2023-11-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur, an e-commerce enthusiast, or a small business owner looking to enhance your product photography skills without the need for expensive equipment? Look no further! In this webinar, we will teach you the essentials of product photography using just your smartphone.
Product photography is a crucial aspect of any online business, as it directly impacts your product’s presentation and, ultimately, your sales. With the right knowledge and techniques, you can create stunning product images that attract potential customers.
Key takeaways include:
– Understand the importance of high-quality product images and how they can impact your business.
– Learn about the essential tools and features on your smartphone camera to capture excellent product shots.
– Discover how to use natural and artificial light sources to enhance your product images.
– Learn about framing, angles, and the art of arranging products to create visually appealing photos.
– Explore how to choose the right props and backgrounds to complement your products.
– Dive into basic photo editing techniques to make your product photos pop.
– Learn how to maintain a consistent style across your product photography.

Sell Online with E-Commerce Tools
2023-11-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Learn how to sell your products online. We’ll walk through listing your products for free with Google Business Profile and Merchant Center. And we’ll show you one way to sell on your website, using an E-Commerce store built with Shopify. Plus, learn about more helpful tools to stand out online, such as Local Opportunity Finder and Grow My Store.
Key takeaways include:
– Discuss the Products tab in a Google Business Profile
– Introduce Google Merchant Center and the basics of creating a free account and a product feed
– Show you how to set up an E-Commerce website using Shopify

Empowering Your Business: Exploring eCommerce with Square Online
2023-10-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. Join us for an enlightening webinar where we’ll delve into the world of eCommerce and how Square Online can empower your business to thrive in the new normal. Whether you’re a small business owner, a startup, or an established company, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to harness the power of eCommerce.
Key takeaways include:
– The Significance of eCommerce in Today’s Business World
– Square Online: A Comprehensive eCommerce Solution
– An overview of Square Online and its robust features.
– Why adopting eCommerce is crucial for business growth.

Branding & Identity Systems
2023-10-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
The power of storytelling in branding: Unveiling the impact of narrative-driven brand strategies in creating memorable and engaging identity systems that resonate with target audiences. Building a cohesive visual language: Exploring the essential elements of a successful identity system, such as logos, color palettes, typography, and imagery, and how they work together to reinforce brand consistency. From concept to execution: A step-by-step guide to the creative process behind developing a brand identity system, including ideation techniques, design principles, and best practices for refining concepts.Navigating brand evolution and adaptation: Understanding the challenges and opportunities in updating and refreshing brand identity systems to stay relevant in an ever-changing market while preserving brand equity. Case studies of iconic brand identities: Analyzing renowned brands and their identity systems to extract valuable insights into the strategies and design decisions that contributed to their enduring success and widespread recognition.
Key takeaways include:
– A deeper understanding of the critical role branding and identity systems play in shaping a brand’s perception and connecting with its audience on an emotional level.
– Practical insights into leveraging storytelling techniques to create more meaningful and impactful brand identities, leading to increased customer loyalty and engagement.
– Enhanced knowledge of the key elements that compose a cohesive identity system and how to apply design principles to ensure consistency across various brand touch-points.
– Empowerment to embark on the brand identity creation process with a clear and structured approach, from concept development to final execution.
– Inspiration from real-world case studies of successful brand identities, providing valuable lessons and sparking creative ideas for their own branding projects.

Square's versatile Point of Sale System
2023-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Join us for an informative webinar on how to broaden your payment acceptance capabilities beyond the traditional card reader. In this session, we’ll explore the various methods you can utilize to accept payments using Square’s Point of Sale system. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or just curious about the latest payment technologies, this webinar will provide valuable insights to help you never miss a sale.
Key takeaways include:
– Tap to Pay on Phone: Discover the ease of accepting contactless payments with customers’ smartphones.
– Wallet Payments: Explore the world of mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
– QR Codes: Learn how to generate and utilize QR codes for convenient payments.
– Payment Links: Understand the power of online payment links for remote transactions.
– More Payment Options: Explore additional methods and stay ahead in the ever-evolving payment landscape.

Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps
2023-10-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Showing up when customers are searching online is more important than ever. Ensure customers can find accurate, updated information about your local business on Google Search and Google Maps, no matter which device they use. In this workshop, you will learn how to create and manage a Google Business Profile from start to finish.
Key takeaways include:
– Create or claim your Google Business Profile
– Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
– Use your Business Profile to connect with potential customers

The Square Ecosystem
2023-09-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Discover Square’s integrated ecosystem of commerce, staff, customer, and banking solutions designed to empower sellers in running and growing their businesses. Join us for an enlightening overview of Square’s transformative technology.
Key takeaways include:
– Learn how Square’s technology empowers sellers by simplifying operations and making it easier to manage and expand your business
– Discover how Square streamlines daily business operations, from payment processing to inventory management, and more.
– An insightful overview of how Square’s technology can revolutionize the way you run and expand your business.

Digital Marketing Insurgency: The Rise Of Smart Marketing Protocols & AI
2023-09-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
The digital marketing landscape as we know it has been obliterated. The rules, players, and technology have all changed while the goal remains the same: build a sustainable, profitable business using effective modern-day digital marketing initiatives. But with the rise of AI and the fall of many now obsolete best-marketing practices, what’s the best way to market a business in this new era? It’s time to activate smart marketing protocols designed to accelerate our adoption of cutting-edge technologies and infusion of next-generation growth marketing methodologies in order to be successful now and in the future.
Key takeaways include:
• Discover how to incorporate Smart Marketing Protocols (SMPs) into your MarketingOps.
• Learn a declassified business survival guide to navigate the digital marketing insurgency.
• Understand the utility of integrating AI/ML technology within your marketing roadmap.
• Explore a new way to define KPIs, OKRs, and other metrics to measure the ROI of your marketing initiatives

Reach Customers Online with Google
2023-09-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Learn how your business can be found online with Google. This workshop explains how Google Search works and how you can improve a website’s visibility with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The session also introduces products like Google Business Profile, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Ads, and more.
In this workshop we’ll discuss best practices for:
– Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices
– Creating a free Google Business Profile
– Advertising your business on Google

Creating and Scheduling content through Canva
2023-08-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
In this presentation we will go over how to create and schedule content for events, specials, or sales over multiple platforms while keeping the branding consistent. You will need to have a Canva account (a pro account is recommended but not required.) and an event, special or sale you’d like to highlight.
Key takeaways include:

Resizing a template to fit across multiple social media platforms
Creating a successful campaign for your event
Scheduling content to minimize your workday
A more confident outlook on using Canva

Mindset Matters: Using the Power of your subconscious mind to build your business
2023-08-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Most entrepreneurs try to build their business using lots of hard work and effort. But if that’s all it took to succeed, then everyone who worked hard would get amazing results. So the missing ingredient most entrepreneurs overlook is actually within themselves. In fact, the most powerful tool we have available is within us now. When you unlock the power of your mind, you open yourself up to amazing results!
In this session you will learn:
– The missing ingredient for success
– How our mind shapes our results
– The best way to shift out of bad habits and into good habits
– The difference between effort vs. leverage
– Formula for success

Manage Your Online Presence
2023-08-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Description:
Learn about social media and building an online presence, and how to use both to establish or build a
career or business.
In this workshop we’ll discuss and practice how to:

Understand the public nature of social media
Explore different social media platforms
Understand the impact of social media behavior on job search
Learn social media best practices

To Certify or Not to Certify – Small and Disadvantaged Business Certification Options
2023-07-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Live Stream
Description: To Certify or Not to Certify – that is the question. As a business owner, you may have heard that there are many certification options out there for your company. Knowing which certifications are the best fit for you is the tricky part. Should you pursue a third-party certification? A Federal or State government certification? Or should you self-certify? In this session, Daniel Kuchar from the Nebraska Business Development Center’s APEX Accelerator Program will walk you through some of the main options you have for certification and give you the benefits and drawbacks to each. Attendees will walk away with a sense of which option is best for them and will know what next steps to take if they choose to pursue certification.
Key takeaways include:
-Use self-certification and self identification of socioeconomic status for commercial business purposes
-Collect information and documentation if interested in formal certification
-Contact and set up a meeting with an APEX Accelerator consultant to start the certification process

Facebook 202: Understanding analytics and how to utilize them for your best ROI
2023-07-20 12:00 - 13:00
Description: Are Facebook Analytics confusing and hard for you to understand? Maybe you understand them, but don’t know how to best utilize them or what changes you should make. Dive into Facebook Analytics and learn the basics of reporting! From that reporting, you’ll develop an understanding for curating content and start produce better performing ads!
Key takeaways include:
-Learn the basics of Facebook Analytics
-Understand how to take Facebook Analytics and utilize them to successfully curate content your audience wants
-Use Facebook Analytic data to create ads that speak to your audience

Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing | Webinar Livestream
2023-07-05 12:00 - 13:00
Description: As a new entrepreneur, you’ll need more than good products or services to grow your business. It’s also important to have strong customer-focused marketing strategies to reach your audience and turn them
into loyal customers.
In this workshop, you will learn how to:
-Create a compelling brand
-Define your audience
-Convert customers
-Build loyalty and advocacy

Learn the Basics of Google Ads | Webinar Livestream
2023-06-07
Description: In this workshop you will learn how to reach more customers and grow your business with Google Ads. Throughout the presentation, we will provide practical tips, best practices, and real-world examples to illustrate the concepts. By the end of this session, you will have a solid understanding of how to utilize Google Ads to reach more customers and drive business growth.
Key takeaways include:
-How to create an account and set up an ad campaign
-How to write great ads, refine keywords, and include ad extensions
-How to measure success

Facebook Ads 101 | Webinar Livestream
2023-05-25
Description: Facebook ads can be confusing and understanding the analytics after you have ran an ad can sometimes seem like a different language. In this webinar, we will go over the basics of setting up your Facebook ads for success, targeting your ideal audience, and then understanding the outcomes of your ad.
Key takeaways include:
– Explore how Facebook advertising works
– Learn how to set up a Facebook Ad
– Understand Facebook ad targeting options
– Define terms and understand facts and stats
– Discover campaign review, tracking, and reporting

Recruit and Retain top talent by offering a Retirement Plan | Webinar Livestream
2023-05-15
Description:
Simple IRA’s are even more simple than you think, We will discuss how they work and how they can benefit you and your company.
Key takeaways include:
-Tax advantages to the business and key employees
-Less costly than you may think
-Simple IRA’s do not need to add much more work to your payroll provider
