ACM to Offer Online Marketing and Sales Course | New

CUMBERLAND – Allegany College of Maryland will soon be offering a 13-week online course to help small and home business owners develop their internet marketing and sales skills.

Bill Valentine, local post-pandemic opportunities office coordinator, Del. Mike McKay (R-Allegany, Wash.) And ACM staff have collaborated to create the course they hope to launch in mid-March.

“We want to help businesses in Allegany County survive and grow,” said Valentine. “It helps people to implement the new realities of the business world that we are seeing. “

The course will be taught in 13 weekly modules with a maximum of 25 people accepted.

Autumn Becker, director of workforce development for the ACM Center for Continuing Education, and David Jones, vice president of advancement and community relations, developed the program.

Jones said attendees will receive a certificate upon completion.

“We’re excited to be able to put this together,” Jones said. “The goal is to develop a program that helps small businesses and nonprofits, by overcoming the pandemic and providing them with training. We were approached by Bill Valentine and Delegate McKay and we listened to what they wanted to do and we put in place a program that they seem to be happy with.

Jones said the modules will include operations, marketing, sales, best practices, and how to get a business online for ecommerce.

“Each module will focus on a different aspect of the training and everything will be online,” Jones said. “But what makes it even more unique is that there will be a lot of real world experiences as well as coaching and mentoring to offer participants to help them through the process. It will go beyond just sitting in a (virtual) classroom. It will also give people the opportunity to interact with small business owners in the community. “

Valentine said the program would teach people how to use and maximize social media to improve their business.

“It’s a very comprehensive program,” said Valentine. “He understands how to open a new business and create a business plan. He is very heavy on internet sales and internet marketing. It contains a full module on how to use sites like Facebook and Twitter and how to advertise including direct marketing to the audience you want to reach.

Valentine said many of the changes seen today are expected to stay.

“Since we have this virus, people don’t go to stores anymore,” he said. “People don’t feel safe and everyone has become accustomed to shopping online. It teaches people how to create and manage your own web page. If they learn how to market and sell online, they’re basically open 24 hours a day.

“I think all restaurants are realizing that a good part of their business will be done. We want them to list their full menu on a web page and there will be a place where the customer can pay for their order. They will be paid up front and will not prepare food that no one picks up, causing them to suffer a loss.

Jones said an educational group had been hired to provide the instruction. “We think everyone will be happy with their skills in small business development,” Jones said.

For more information, contact Valentine by email at billvalentine590@gmail.com or by phone at 301-268-1598.