Educating local business… a new passion?
September 10th, 2009
I attend tweetups, because I am awesome like that. At the August tweetup, not only were people networking and chilling like usual, but there were charity auctions for a local charity. One of the things that was auctioned off was booth space at some business expo in Sherereville. I had drank a little before the tweetup; my friend and I always do this before tweetups now. It’s tradition. Anyhow, I think the dirty girl scout I had pushed me over the edge because I was very giving and really wanted a booth.
I begged him to go in with me to buy this booth. It was great! No one was bidding on it and I apparently had a plan for it (which was later revealed as Office D&D).
Anyhow, after we came to our senses, we sort of scrapped the Office D&D idea and decided to use it to educate local businesses on how to use online tools to further help their businesses succeed.
I really like talking to people about the little things they can do to help gain exposure for their business. While NW Indiana isn’t necessarily backwater, there are many, many businesses that aren’t even online yet or are too scared to start creating a much needed online presence. This is where we want to help!
I want our local economy to succeed. Sometimes people just need to know that there are tools out there—free, easy-to-use tools—they can use to help strengthen their business. I’m all about education, especially after speaking with a few others at the Valpo Chamber of Commerce about social media.
Plus, I’m still learning new things myself and I want to pass on all that I learn.
I’ve always wanted to volunteer, but couldn’t really find something I enjoyed to volunteer for. But now… now I have this. I don’t make a dime (in fact, I took a PTO day so I could do this), but it’s definitely rewarding to know that I’m helping mom & pop places last a little longer against corporate giants.
Today is the day of the expo… and I am pumped!
that’s really quite cool. :D good luck with it!
“WE NEED THIS BOOTH!” Those are the words that convinced me to join you in this journey. I am quite excited. Now back to ironing my shirt.
Very commendable indeed, I’ve always wanted to do something like this only with computer knowledge in general. Working for best buy long enough to see one too many folks charged 50$ to have a stick of RAM put into their machine when anyone with the brain & motor skills of a chimp could do themselves for free.
People really aren’t backwater either like you said, just clueless in general. Not the kind of “I dun’ get yer voodoo magic computer traption’s” clueless, but the “Oh I really didn’t know things like this even existed, let alone were this easy to use”
Cheers to you!
That is so cool! I bet you helped a lot of people today.
I am proud of you.
@sandy – It was quite cool. And I would like to think of it as a success. Maybe there are more places we can volunteer to speak at in the future.
@rahsaan – You know deep down inside you wanted that booth too.
@jerry – Maybe we can tag team or we can work with local community venues (like the Valpo Chamber of Commerce) and see if they would be interested in the knowledge you have to share. I’m sure you could help many people. :)
@laura – Thank you mom! I hope I helped at least one person, or at the very least gave them something to think about.
Yes. Congrats. That was a killer poster you had for the event. Let me know if I can help.