HAMLET — Although most small business owners see marketing as necessary, many secretly hate it. And if you’re a small business owner, you may feel the same way, but that can change, according to Emily Ballance, professional speaker and entrepreneur who has successfully owned and marketed two businesses for more than 25 years.
Ballance will be speaking on “Inexpensive and Creative Ways to Market Your Small Business,” on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Scotland County Economic Development Center, 16800 Hwy. 401, Laurinburg. Sponsored by the Small Business Center of Richmond Community College, the seminar is free and open to the public.
“Many business owners think they have to spend a lot of money on marketing, but that’s not true,” Ballance said. “There are so many ways to market that don’t cost a dime. And there are lots of creative low cost ideas, too. The same approaches don’t work for everyone, so we will take time to discuss which ones work best for different kinds of businesses.”
Participants are encouraged to bring their business cards.
“But don’t worry if you’re just getting started or don’t have any,” Ballance said. “This is a fun, informative, and interactive presentation. You’ll explore and leave with lots of ideas, plus it’s a great chance to meet people and yes, market! Just come with an open attitude and willingness to look at different ideas. You never know where those ideas will lead.”
Ballance speaks on business related topics at Small Business Centers throughout the North Carolina Community College System. She also travels across the country presenting seminars on humor and stress management and workshops on generations in the workplace, as well as other topics, which are listed at www.emilyballance.com.
Ballance is a certified speaking professional, the highest earned designation awarded by the National Speakers Association (NSA). Women who earn this designation make up less than 8 percent of the membership of NSA.
Pre-registration is recommended for this free seminar, but walk-ins are welcome. For questions or to pre-register for this seminar, visit http://tiny.cc/sbcsemianrs.com or contact Small Business Center Director Deborah Hardison at (910) 410-1687 or [email protected].
Wylie D. Bell is director of marketing and communications for Richmond Community College.