CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ok Google, what Google help is available to help businesses grow?
That was the question at the heart of Monday’s “Grow With Google” workshops in West Virginia’s Capital City, the 10th such event held nationwide that drew a capacity crowd with all 150 available spots for the free event filled.
“We want people to walk away really excited about all of the new skills that they can put to work immediately,” said Tia Bethea, community engagement manager for “Grow With Google.”
“Our intent with ‘Grow With Google’ is to help people prepare for work, find jobs and grow their businesses and we’re sharing those free tools today.”
The morning workshops at Charleston’s Clay Center focused on growing business, while the afternoon was dedicated to building on digital skills for work with hands-on help available.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) briefly addressed those in attendance which included small business owners, leaders of various Mountain State organizations including nonprofits and others.
“Small business (owners), every single day, are working hard to make sure that they’re maximizing their efforts,” Capito said.
“We see with the digital economy the way to do it is to maximize your online presence, but you have to do it effectively because everybody’s trying to do the same thing.”
Search engine optimization, search engine marketing, content marketing and social media marketing were among the topics covered.
“These are free basic tools that they really can be able to use to help with online marketing, to be able to build their business using Google Search and Maps and being able to be found there easily,” Bethea told MetroNews.
“And helping individuals, job seekers be able to find that next step using digital skills that they need to use to get ahead.”
Twenty local partners signed on to support the workshops.
After Monday’s event in Charleston, the next “Grow With Google” in-person events were scheduled for Aug. 6 in Reno, Nevada and Naperville, Illinois and Aug. 22 at The Dalles, Oregon.