Frequently Asked Questions

We’re excited about this year’s program, as we plan on doubling…tripling…even quadrupling the 150 seminar attendees we served last year! Because we believe so firmly in the power of the Internet to help our county businesses grow and expand…which will lead to increased employment opportunities for our population…we’re expanding our seminar from ½ day to a full day, and adding new and vital information to help business owners succeed and grow by using the power of a website.

How We Can Work Together for Exceptional Results!

To accomplish our mutual goal, and to do it well, let’s first take a look at what we learned during the course and after last year’s initiative.

Out of 150 or so people who developed a business website during our seminar, the percentage of those who actually published their sites-made them available on the Internet-was disappointingly low.

To combat that this year, we’re asking our instructors to change the tone of the seminar. Instead of telling business owners to publish their sites when they’re ready, we plan on getting them ready at the seminar, and helping them publish before the day is through.

If they’re intimidated by the technical details, of what goes into building a web, assure them that all they need to know is their business. We’ll walk them step-by-step through the process, with instructors on hand to help if they need it during any portion of the seminar.

You can also help by letting participants know that after our seminar, they’ll have a fully operational website that’s live-ready for potential customers to see.

Encourage attendees to take the time to complete their workbook questionnaires before they arrive. Tell them how important it is to think about the purpose of their site before they create it, and how that by doing so, they’ll not only have a website-but they’ll have an effective website-a website that helps them sell more of their products and services.

Many business owners didn’t continue with their sites, or didn’t publish, because they said they didn’t see the value of having a website.

We’re working hard to overcome this objection too, by preparing a benefit-laden pre-seminar website that will show them how effective the web can be.

You can help us accomplish our mutual goals by letting participants know that even if their goods and/or services don’t lend themselves to sales on the web, that they can still use a website to provide information.

Advise them that as more and more people become web savvy, they look for information online before buying. Or, maybe a Trinity county resident needs a doctor. They may go online to www.superpages.com, to look for a doctor in their area. If a participant isn’t listed, but their competitor is, they may lose valuable lifetime customers, as well as family and friends that they may recommend.

Another way participants can use their websites and email addresses is to collect emails from customers and to send out promotional email letters when business gets slow, or to send out regular reminders.

For instance, suppose you’re talking to a possible participant living in Shasta County, who tells you he’s an auto mechanic. His first response is, “I can’t use the web because I can’t sell my services over the computer.”

Let him know that he can collect email addresses from his customers, and send them a reminder when their next tune-up is due. He can also send promotions to his entire list-20% off new tires in March, for example. And, he can post basic information about himself and his services on his website so potential customers can develop a feeling of trust, and get to know him, which makes them tend to want to call. After all, we all know how people feel about shady auto mechanics! Your participant can change perceptions…and change potential customers into paying customers.

This same concept applies to any other product or service provider who feels their products or services aren't appropriate for a website. Doctors, attorneys, manufacturers, consultants, heating and pluming contractors…and a whole lot more!

The point is this…if we can show them the value of a website…get them excited about its potential…give them a free website and help them get started, chances are good that they’ll keep it…and we’ll obtain our objective because their business will grow and they’ll hire more of our population!

During 2002s Website Initiative, we also discovered that many potential participants were intimidated by this new promotional medium, and therefore chose not to attend.

If you run into this situation, you may calm your clients’ fears by assuring them that trained professionals will lead the seminar, and will walk them step-by-step through the process. And, additional instructors will be available to help anyone who needs individual help at any time during the web building process.

Participants also receive a 150+ page workbook, and other reading materials, which will walk them through the process step-by-step should they need to update, or expand, their websites later. And, remind them, that if they need any help after the seminar ends, they are always free to call us and ask any questions they have.

The point is: we’ll help them…and we’ll be there for them after the seminar’s over. Let them know. It may give a computer novice the confidence he or she needs to attend!