By Quari Alleyne, Ryan Ferguson
Digital Marketing Bootcamp 2020, a marketing class focused on female entrepreneurs, and hosted by East End Women’s Network, will introduce local business owners to social media marketing strategies for 2020, on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Michelangelo of Riverhead.
Presented by Stark Media, topics during the boot camp include the power of hashtags and engagement, what’s new for 2020 and the hottest social media platforms.
“As a woman who may open a practice someday, it’s essential to learn how to obtain a larger audience through social media marketing,” Jaclyn Barry, an occupational therapy student at Quinnipiac University, interested in attending the course, said.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reported New York as the 5th, most entrepreneurial state in the country. Small businesses make up 99.8% of all New York businesses. Small businesses employed 4.0 million people across New York in 2015, 50.2% of the private workforce.
East End Women’s Network also features a quarterly newsletter with other events and information. Last January, Sharon Bakes showcased her business. As a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing and an EEWN member, she stressed the importance of sessions benefiting the health and wellness of an individual.
“Education has not only played an important role; it continues to play a vital role in our business,” Hulse, said. “Because digital marketing is so ephemeral, we need to keep up with all the changes for ourselves and our clients. We travel yearly to different marketing conferences and subscribe to several digital marketer’s social media channels.”
Hulse and Stark presented 12 marketing courses last year, selling out across several places on Long Island. Locations included the Miller Business Center, Centro Trattoria, Hotel Indigo and the Riverhead Marriott.
“There will be a 3-course dinner with networking before and after the workshop,” Kelsey Stark, co-founder with Michelle Hulse of Stark Media, said. Stark is a marketing agency in Riverhead, New York. “Only 50 tickets are available, and we sold out of our last event! Don’t miss out.”
Aside from a local level, Pew Research polls state that national employment is expanding in jobs that represent social and fundamental skills. These skills are just part of what business owners can take from the marketing class.
“I feel being sociable is the key to success at any place of work,” Dianne Schroff, a Supervisor at the Department of Social Services in Suffolk County, said. “Attending an event like Digital Marketing Bootcamp 2020 is an opportunity for anyone to expand their connections and learn something new.”
Continuing education is mandated for employees of Suffolk County. In 2019, four half-day seminars were presented to provide information about various programs and services by the Department of Social Services.
Employment more than doubled in jobs communication and technology related fields. According to a Pew Research poll published in January, these jobs have increased by 111% and 104% respectively. Employment in jobs most in need of analytical skills increased nearly as sharply at 92%, compared with an increase of 58% in employment overall.
“I believe experience is sometimes more important than education, personally,” Arianna Dibella, an artist, said. “If you have an education or certification in something, that’s just a bonus. These women have a background that can spread analytical skills to others, and that’s a great thing.”
Stark Media began in 2014 with an idea in Hulse’s dining room. They have since moved the business to an office in Riverhead blossoming their business into a full-blown marketing agency. They intend to help other women on Long Island grow their businesses as well.
Digital Marketing Bootcamp 2020 is the first-class Stark Media will present this year. It may also be the first class for many new attendees. The East End Women’s Network is a non-profit, boutique-style organization, comprised of professional women supporting each other on Long Island’s East End since 1981.
