By BTL Staff
FERNDALE – Two veteran marketers and community professionals will be on hand Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, to share their wit and wisdom with participants at a free workshop on the how-to of marketing your current or future business or project to LGBT and allied communities.
Jan Stevenson, co-publisher of Between The Lines newspaper, and Dee Dee Sung, vice president of integrated marketing for Paramount Bank, will present an informative evening where you can get your questions answered and learn some new ideas that are sure to help maximize critical marketing dollars.
"Small business owners and service professionals wear many different hats," said Sung. "The marketing hat is probably THE most important one to master. You can have the best product or service available but if no one knows about what you offer, you'll continue to be the best kept secret in town. It's all about creating a captivating message and implementing a delivery system that compels people to buy from YOU. Most small businesses fail due to lack of marketing expertise. Our workshop will outline the proven steps for marketing success."
Stevenson, who has worn many hats at the newspaper during its 13-year history, has focused her energy in recent years on marketing to Michigan's LGBT communities. Stevenson has extensive experience and she currently manages a five person sales team.
"Any company that targets the gay and lesbian market has a leg up on their competitors because of the loyalty that gay and lesbian consumers have to companies that market directly to them," said Stevenson. "We will help you put together a complete marketing plan that includes ideas about how to grab the attention of gay and lesbian customers, their family and friends, who can help you build your business and bring even more new customers to you."
The workshop is part of an ongoing series begun in September through Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center's LGBT and Allied Business Network. The Dec. 7 workshop will be held at the community center from 7-9 p.m. Along with guest speakers, refreshments will be provided by Between The Lines newspaper so drop in for some great networking fun while you relax and enjoy the conversation and company.
The goal of the LGBT and Allied Business Network is to help business owners, potential business owners and other professionals who want to learn new business skills do so in a friendly supportive atmosphere. The organizational mission reads, "To strengthen the economic base of the LGBT and Allied communities through education and collaboration."
Coming: 2006 Breakfast Series
Beginning Jan. 4, 2006, the LGBT and Allied Business Network will be hosting a breakfast series the first Wednesday morning of each month. The series is sponsored by Paramount Bank. The first gathering will be held at Toast in Ferndale where participants will learn about "Finding Customers: Tips and Tricks from the Pros." The cost is $10 with advance registration or $15 at the door and includes a delicious breakfast. The group will meet at 7:30 a.m. and promises to have you out the door on your way to work by 8:30 a.m. For more information log onto http://www.goaffirmations.org. RSVPs for breakfast can be emailed to [email protected] or 248-585-3224.
