Social media advertising can boost sales for small businesses, but many small business owners don’t know how to get started or how to use social media advertising effectively. University of Nevada, Reno Extension will offer two free webinars focusing on how to use Facebook advertising – one on April 16 for English speakers, and the other on April 23 for Spanish speakers. Reyna Mendez, Extension business development instructor, will cover a variety of topics related to Facebook advertising, including targeting specific audiences, what to promote and measuring results. 

“Using social media advertising platforms like Facebook can be a relatively inexpensive way to reach new customers and to increase sales,” said Buddy Borden, economic development specialist with Extension’s Business Education Program. “We want to help small businesses get started using this tool, or for those already using it, help them improve their results.”

In addition, Extension will offer two online town halls: one for English speakers on April 14, and one for Spanish speakers on April 21. During the English-language session, Bree Welch, license analyst with the Nevada State Contractors Board, will share information about the licensing process and the resources available for new businesses, including the Board’s Business Assistance Program. During the Spanish-language session, Alannah T. Aril, financial wellbeing coach with HOPE Inside Las Vegas, will discuss business credit, its importance during the economic recovery, differences between personal and business credit, and tips on how to improve both.

Extension has been offering a series of online town halls and webinars for small businesses, “Coping With COVID-19,” for over a year, to help entrepreneurs and businesses plan strategically, adapt and succeed. Details on sessions for the next two weeks are as follows: 

The English-language town hall, ““Nevada State Contractors Board: Processes and Resources,” is Wednesday, April 14, at 9 a.m. Panelists include:

• From the Nevada State Contractors Board – Bree Welch, license analyst
• From the Small Business Administration – Alfredo Cedeno Jr., outreach and marketing specialist
• From Extension – Juan Salas, business development instructor; and Mike Bindrup, research associate

The Spanish-language town hall, “Business Credit: Key Concepts and Tips,” is Wednesday, April 21, at 9 a.m. Panelists include:

• From HOPE Inside Las Vegas – Alannah T. Aril, financial wellbeing coach
• From the Small Business Administration – Alfredo Cedeno Jr., outreach and marketing specialist
• From Extension – Juan Salas, business development instructor; and Mike Bindrup, research associate

The webinar, “Effective Facebook Ads,” is at 9 a.m., Friday, April 16, for English speakers; and at 9 a.m., Friday, April 23, for Spanish speakers. Reyna Mendez, Extension business development instructor, will discuss:

• Targeting specific audiences
• Paying to promote your best content
• Creating a social media advertising budget
• Measuring the performance of paid advertising campaigns

Both the town halls and the webinars usually run about an hour. To register:

• The April 14, 9 a.m., English-language town hall.  
• The April 16, 9 a.m., English-language webinar.  
• The April 21, 9 a.m., Spanish-language town hall.  
• The April 23, 9 a.m., Spanish-language webinar.     

Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event. For more information, go to the Extension Business Education Program website. There are also other resources at the website to assist businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. For more information, email Borden.