A few photos of the Asian Chamber members attending the event – thanks again for inviting AIM Custom Media to present to your group of members. We enjoyed meeting your new members and guests.

Are you passionate about increasing sales but can’t seem to get anywhere using social media? We all know millions and millions of links and leads are shared everyday on social networks. And, there are several simple things you can do to improve your results and get your share. This evening (January 27, 2010, 6-8pm) I’ll be giving a presentation at the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce Business Networking Forum. Here’s the info from the Chamber’s website and a link for additional details:

Marketing Yourself and Your Business in the New Digital World

2010 is going to be an incredible year for marketing. Entrepreneurs that survived the economic storm of 2009 are in an exciting position for 2010. The days of costly brand building are over. It is going to be a time where innovative marketing is going to flourish. Brand marketing is going to be cheaper, faster and smarter.

Are you ready to enter the universe of possible marketing and advertising initiatives?

If yes, let Social Networking Guru Greg Magnus break down for you the steps needed to make when moving into the complex world of social networking, beginning with how to best put social networking to use, whether you are:

• Business prospecting
• Promoting your brand
• Recruiting talents
• Hatching a new venture
• Engaging and retaining customers, or
• Exploring a new career

Coordinated by the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, this group of businesses and professionals meet monthly between January and June to network and discuss key issues impacting their businesses’ bottom line.

Guest Speaker:
Greg Magnus, President
AIM Custom Media, LLC

Date & Location:
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 From 6-8pm
Mekong Restaurant, 6004 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230

More information here.

If you can’t make it or you already missed it, you can subscribe to our site here. I’ll post the presentation materials later in the week and you’ll receive the info when it is added to digital AIM.

NOTE: If you subscribed, please check your Inbox right away. Within the next minute or two, there will be an email asking you to confirm your subscription. This is called “double opt-in” to make sure that someone else cannot subscribe you to our list. It is very important that you click the confirmation link in that email. If you fail to do that you will not receive the info requested.

Are you planning to start a new business? Or, are you a small business owner looking for assistance with business planning, marketing and finance? Richmond SCORE is holding a small business workshop on December 11, 2009, just for you.

During the Richmond SCORE Workshop, local business professionals provide workshop participants with valuable information and ideas on better ways to start or grow a business. The presenters include accountants, lawyers, bankers, commercial real estate brokers, and business managers from diverse businesses and industries. Other facilitators are SCORE counselors who have years of industry and business experience.

Workshop Topics

• How to Write an Effective Business Plan
• Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business
• Website Design Strategies
• Choosing the Legal Structure That’s Right For You
• Purchasing the Proper Business Insurance
• Sources of Business Loans
• How to Negotiate a Commercial Lease
• Building Successful Marketing & Sales Plans

To sign up for the workshop, visit the Richmond SCORE website for more information. Hurry, seating is limited and advanced registration is required. The workshop is held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Capital One Town Center, which is located at West Creek.

About SCORE

The Richmond, Virginia Chapter of SCORE is part of a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of the nation’s small businesses. Richmond SCORE provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business and your personal objectives.

SCORE was founded in 1964. It is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and a premier source of free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs. SCORE is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Herndon, Virginia and Washington, D.C. With 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, and 10,500 volunteers, made up of both working and retired executives and business owners who donate time and expertise as business counselors nationwide.

• National SCORE website
• SCORE’s “Ask an Expert” blog
• SCORE’s Women’s Success blog

Posted by Greg Magnus, owner of AIM Custom Media and one of many local professionals serving Richmond SCORE as a volunteer.

November 17, 2009 (9:30 am to 12:30 pm)

Location: The Richmond Marriott Hotel

Free Online Registration

An official press release follows:

SBA and the Commonwealth of Virginia to Host Small Business Resource/Networking Workshop

RICHMOND –Entrepreneurs can get free information on state and federal resources to help their businesses weather the economic downturn, as well as tips on expansion during a discussion on “Small Business Survival and Growth in Virginia” on Nov. 17, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott hotel.

Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration/Office of the National Ombudsman and the Commonwealth of Virginia/Department of Business Assistance and Department of Minority Business Enterprise, the event will focus on sharing information about SBA Recovery Act programs, access to capital, contracting and other forms of federal and state assistance for small business owners. Free online registration is available at the VA Dept. of Business Assistance website..

“This is a gathering of diverse organizations and it’s a great opportunity for small business owners to network, get practical ideas on how to overcome the very real challenges of this economy, and take advantage of the many resources available to help their companies thrive and grow,” said SBA Richmond District Director Ronald E. Bew.

Other event participants include the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Richmond Economic Development Corporation, the Virginia Retail Federation, SBA’s Richmond District office, the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Virginia Secretary of Administration and the Virginia Bankers Association.

“Collaborative workshops like this one, connecting small businesses to resources, help maintain Virginia’s high rankings as the best state for business,” said Patrick O. Gottschalk, Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Richmond Marriott is located at 500 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Va., 23219. For more information contact Will Vehrs of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance at (804) 371-0058 (will.vehrs@vdba.virginia.gov), or Martin Gold at SBA’s Office of the National Ombudsman (202) 205-7549 (martin.gold@sba.gov).

This 4 day event is a comprehensive playbook designed to give you step by step instructions and coaching that will move you from transition to dream job, as well as life management tips along the way. Every topic of transition will be covered so that each participant has a complete understanding of what it takes to accomplish their goals for employment.

October 19th & 20th from 9:00am – 12:00 noon: St. Michael’s: 4491 Springfield Rd, Glen Allen

October 21st and 22nd from 9:00am – 12:00 noon: Three Chopt Presbyterian: 9315 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond

It is designed so that each participant should attend the entire 4 day camp.

RSVP: virginiacareernetwork.com or canon@equity-concepts.com

Speakers

Greg Magnus: Publisher, AIM Custom Media
Social Networking PRESENTATION (PDF)

“Social networking that works for YOU.”

John Sarvay: Owner, Floricane, Next Steps

“Live your A life. Identify your greater purpose and begin to generate your ideal future.”

Eleanor Rouse: Life Coach, Executive Coach for the Frontier Project

“Align the next chapter of your life or career with your personal values and vision.”

Bob Ruthazer: Executive Director, First Things First

“Relationships: Thriving in Transition. Understanding communication and warning signs.”

Veronica Boyd: Consultant, Lee Hecht Harrison, JAM Leader

“Map out your game plan. Step by step instruction on what you need to do to find career opportunities.”

Jim Roman: Networking Extraordinaire, Owner, Team Roman

“Networking that works.”

Brent Peterson: Owner, Interview Angel

“Confessions of a Hiring Manager. How to Land an Interview. How to Inspire the Hiring Manager. Personal Statements. Tell Great Stories. Getting Hired is a Project.”

Alan Dole: Wealth Manager, Equity Concepts

“Money Matters. Unemployment insurance, cash flow, 401k options and warnings.”

Debbie Stocks: Principal, Your Benefits Partner

“Understanding your benefit options. COBRA, Individual policies and HSA’s.”

Clayton Gits: Owner, The Gits Group

“Manage your mortgage. Precautions, options, last resorts.”

How do you add your business seminar or social event to LinkedIn? Well, I can’t explain it any better than the folks at LinkedIn that created the app. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Let us know if you have any questions or if you would like us to do it for you.

Additional Resources: Visit LinkedIn Events Here!

SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKING MINI-WORKSHOP

AIM Custom Media is presenting a mini-workshop for small business owners and entrepreneurs titled, How to Leverage Social Media Technology to Build Your Business. To receive the announment details, subscribe here and you’ll receive the info when it is published. Call me at 804-915-7379 if you have any immediate questions.

Social Networks

Sites such as LinkedIn.com and Facebook.com allow users to add event information to searchable calendars that are viewed by thousands, if not millions. Also, the technology allows you to promote your event to your network of contacts, which in turn can share the event info with business colleagues and friends. When you are building your social network online, focus on new contacts that are prospects – not just former colleagues at your last job or high school friends.

Landing Pages

Whether your online presence includes a website or a blog (better), create a landing page for your upcoming events; well in advance of the event. Just adding the date and venue is not enough; include bios of the speakers, photos, testimonials from previous events and the benefits of attending. Ask each of the speakers to write a blog post or topical summary for publishing on your website. Subsequently, add a link to the event landing page to your online profiles and ask your social network contacts to share the info with their networks: Linkedin.com, Plaxo.com, Facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.

Blog About It

Once you have your landing pages and profile links setup, go out and join the conversation. Add valuable content to industry blogs and forums. Discuss the topics that will be covered during your event and offer solutions – avoid sales pitches for the event.

Press Releases

Create a press release for your event and distribute it to your email list as well as media outlets that target your intended audience. There are several inexpensive and free press release outlets – a quick search will give you all that you need: PRweb.com, PRlog.com and so on.

These are just a few ways to promote your event online and there are numerous others (Videos, Podcasts, Webinars, Teleseminars, email marketing, etc.). A business colleague, Peggy Duncan, is a prolific speaker and online marketer. She has an excellent post that elaborates on the topic: read her post here. Another great resource is Peg Corwin’s (another colleague) post on Internet marketing, which you’ll find here.

Helping Virginia Small Businesses Survive the Economic Downturn

This workshop will provide information to Virginia small businesses about:

• Less expensive and more accessible small business loans.
• Recent changes to tax rules affecting small businesses.
• Counseling and Training resources through SBA resource partners
• Recession-proofing your credit

When: April 29, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
4201 Dominion Boulevard
Richmond, VA

To Register, call Ford Scott at (804) 771-2400, Ext. 153 or email: ford.scott@sba.gov

The U.S. Small Business Administration and its nationwide network of partners help millions of potential and current small business owners start, grow and succeed. Resources and programs targeting small businesses provide an advantage necessary to help small businesses effectively compete in the marketplace and strengthen the overall U.S. economy. SBA offers help in the following areas:

• Starting a Business
• Financing a Business
• Growing a Business
• Opportunities in Contracting
• Recovering From Disaster
• A Voice for Small Business in Government

Additional information as well as business news and training for entrepreneurs is available online at www.sba.gov or visit the Richmond, VA District office at:
400 N. 8th Street, Suite 1150, Richmond, VA 23219,
Phone: (804) 771-2400, Website: www.sba.gov/localresources/district/va 

Also, SCORE offers free advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
For marketing articles posted by Greg Magnus, visit SCORE’s Ask an Expert Blog or the national SCORE website

Starting & Growing a Business in Today Economy

Saturday February 28, 2009
1:00 – 3:30 pm

A REPEATED CLASS NOW AT A LARGER FACILITY – THE DAYS INN HOTEL IN RICHMOND, VA

Due to the high popularity of this class (held last Saturday), we are repeating this half-day class to a large hotel to accommodate new students from all Asian population groups.

Due to the challenging economy which robbed hundreds of thousands jobs from the Virginia economy in the past year, the Chamber has quickly expediently coordinated a Business Start Up Education Task Force to offer an opportunity for dislocated workers from our community to come explore the idea that they may start their own business. Even the idea to go into business may not be clear for many at this time, learning about the world of business to gain finance, management, tax, economic development knowledge would be a priceless learning opportunities for their future careers.

Our Education Task Force is made up of seven (7) business specialists including a CPA, a business attorney, an insurance agent, a community banker, an economic development officer, a seasoned Asian entrepreneur, and a S.C.O.R.E Counselor.

Let our business counselors share their advice, answer your questions, and assist you however they can to help arm you with the knowledge you need in order to consider all your possible options. The course is a perfect solution for anyone considering the idea to own his/her own business very often starting slowly from your own on a part time basis from home while you job hunt.

7 Business Experts – 1 Powerful Workshop

Days Inn Richmond Hotel

6919 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225

REGISTRATION
Register early so we can save your seats at the Days Inn Hotel.

Register by Tel: 804-797-3975 or email us at aabac@aabac.org